Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax by Component

The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

	Currency
	Translation						Post Employment
	Adjustments			Cash Flow Hedges			Benefits			Total
(IN MILLIONS)
Balance December 31, 2016	$	(856	)	$	(1	)	$	(354	)	$	(1,211	)
Other comprehensive income before    reclassifications		75			1			—			76
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other    comprehensive income		—			1			3			4
Net current period other comprehensive income		75			2			3			80
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable    to noncontrolling interest		3			—			—			3
Net current period other comprehensive income    attributable to Nielsen stockholders		72			2			3			77
Balance March 31, 2017	$	(784	)	$	1		$	(351	)	$	(1,134	)

	Currency
	Translation						Post Employment
	Adjustments			Cash Flow Hedges			Benefits			Total
(IN MILLIONS)
Balance December 31, 2015	$	(767	)	$	(3	)	$	(289	)	$	(1,059	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before    reclassifications		91			(8	)		4			87
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other    comprehensive income/(loss)		—			1			3			4
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)		91			(7	)		7			91
Net current period other comprehensive income    attributable to noncontrolling interest		1			—			—			1
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)    attributable to Nielsen stockholders		90			(7	)		7			90
Balance March 31, 2016	$	(677	)	$	(10	)	$	(282	)	$	(969	)

Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

	Amount Reclassified from
	Accumulated Other
(IN MILLIONS)	Comprehensive Loss
Details about Accumulated					Affected Line Item in the
Other Comprehensive	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Condensed Consolidated
Income components	March 31, 2017		March 31, 2016		Statement of Operations
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts	$	2	$	1	Interest expense
		1		—	Benefit for income taxes
	$	1	$	1	Total, net of tax
Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits
Actuarial loss	$	4	$	5	(a)
		1		2	Benefit for income taxes
	$	3	$	3	Total, net of tax
Total reclassification for the period	$	4	$	4	Net of tax

(a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.