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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	$ 4,293
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	4	$ 4
Total other comprehensive income	80	91
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	1
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)attributable to Nielsen stockholders	77	90
Balance	4,317
Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(856)	(767)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	75	91
Total other comprehensive income	75	91
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	1
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)attributable to Nielsen stockholders	72	90
Balance	(784)	(677)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(1)	(3)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	1	(8)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	1	1
Total other comprehensive income	2	(7)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)attributable to Nielsen stockholders	2	(7)
Balance	1	(10)
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(354)	(289)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	3	3
Total other comprehensive income	3	7
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)attributable to Nielsen stockholders	3	7
Balance	(351)	(282)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(1,211)	(1,059)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	76	87
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	4	4
Total other comprehensive income	80	91
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	1
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss)attributable to Nielsen stockholders	77	90
Balance	$ (1,134)	$ (969)