Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	$ 4,627	$ 5,133	$ 5,807
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(174)	(305)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	17	15
Total other comprehensive loss	(157)	(290)	(397)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(5)	(8)	(7)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(152)	(282)	(390)
Balance	4,293	4,627	5,133
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(1,059)	(777)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	17
Balance	(1,211)	(1,059)	(777)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(767)	(418)	(124)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(94)	(357)
Total other comprehensive loss	(94)	(357)
Net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(5)	(8)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(89)	(349)
Balance	(856)	(767)	(418)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Available-for-Sale Securities
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance		19	9
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income		(19)
Total other comprehensive loss		(19)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(19)
Balance			19
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(3)	(2)	(5)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(3)	(8)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	5	7
Total other comprehensive loss	2	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	2	(1)
Balance	(1)	(3)	(2)
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(289)	(376)	(267)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(77)	60
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	12	27
Total other comprehensive loss	(65)	87
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(65)	87
Balance	$ (354)	$ (289)	$ (376)