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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			$ 4,293
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 4	$ 4	8	$ 8
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	85	(44)	165	47
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	(2)	5	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders	83	(42)	160	48
Balance	4,391		4,391
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(856)	(767)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			158	50
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			158	50
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			5	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			153	51
Balance	(703)	(716)	(703)	(716)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(1)	(3)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				(12)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			1	2
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			1	(10)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			1	(10)
Balance		(13)		(13)
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(354)	(289)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			(1)	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	4	3	7	6
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			6	7
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			6	7
Balance	(348)	(282)	(348)	(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			157	39
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			8	8
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			165	47
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			5	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			160	48
Balance	$ (1,051)	$ (1,011)	$ (1,051)	$ (1,011)