Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 754	$ 357
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $25 and $26 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	1,171	1,235
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	297	316
Total current assets	2,222	1,908
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	471	490
Goodwill	7,845	7,783
Other intangible assets, net	4,736	4,772
Deferred tax assets	127	78
Other non-current assets	329	272
Total assets	15,730	15,303
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	1,012	1,013
Deferred revenues	297	322
Income tax liabilities	97	42
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	188	310
Total current liabilities	1,594	1,687
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	7,738	7,028
Deferred tax liabilities	1,175	1,074
Other non-current liabilities	930	887
Total liabilities	11,437	10,676
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Nielsen stockholders’ equity
Common stock, €0.07 par value, 1,185,800,000 and 1,185,800,000 shares authorized; 357,745,953 and 362,338,369 shares issued and 357,465,614 and 362,338,369 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	32	32
Additional paid-in capital	4,825	5,119
Retained earnings	456	341
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(1,211)	(1,059)
Total Nielsen stockholders’ equity	4,102	4,433
Noncontrolling interests	191	194
Total equity	4,293	4,627
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,730	$ 15,303