Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 150	$ 132	$ 356	$ 347
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	66	(15)	224	35
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	2	4	3	(6)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	4		10	7
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		72	(11)	237	36
Total comprehensive income		222	121	593	383
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		4	1	13	2
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 218	$ 120	$ 580	$ 381

[1] Net of tax of $6 million and $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $20 million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively

[2] Net of tax of $(2) million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $(2) million and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(1) million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $(3) million and $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively