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		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]
Interest expense		$ 92	$ 83	$ 182	$ 162
Provision for income taxes		(91)	(82)	(134)	(126)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(131)	(113)	(202)	(213)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		4	4	8	8
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders				1	2
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	2	3
Provision for income taxes			1	1	1
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			1	1	2
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]	5	4	9	9
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes		1	1	2	3
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 4	$ 3	$ 7	$ 6

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