Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 451	$ 754
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $28 and $25 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	1,287	1,171
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	363	297
Total current assets	2,101	2,222
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	464	471
Goodwill	8,212	7,845
Other intangible assets, net	5,086	4,736
Deferred tax assets	133	127
Other non-current assets	336	329
Total assets	16,332	15,730
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	933	1,012
Deferred revenues	364	297
Income tax liabilities	102	97
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	236	188
Total current liabilities	1,635	1,594
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	8,180	7,738
Deferred tax liabilities	1,272	1,175
Other non-current liabilities	928	930
Total liabilities	12,015	11,437
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Nielsen stockholders’ equity
Common stock, €0.07 par value, 1,185,800,000 and 1,185,800,000 shares authorized; 357,395,024 and 357,745,953 shares issued and 357,302,215 and 357,465,614 shares outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	32	32
Additional paid-in capital	4,809	4,825
Retained earnings	416	456
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(1,134)	(1,211)
Total Nielsen stockholders’ equity	4,123	4,102
Noncontrolling interests	194	191
Total equity	4,317	4,293
Total liabilities and equity	$ 16,332	$ 15,730