Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 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]
Interest expense		$ 90	$ 79
Provision for income taxes		(43)	(44)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(71)	(100)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		4	4
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		1	1
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense		2	1
Provision for income taxes		1
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		1	1
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Actuarial loss, before Tax	[1]	4	5
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes		1	2
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 3	$ 3

[1] This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.