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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			$ 4,293
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 4	$ 1	12	$ 9
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	72	(11)	237	36
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1)	5	(2)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(10)	232	38
Balance	4,460		4,460
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(856)	(767)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			224	35
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			224	35
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			5	(2)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			219	37
Balance	(637)	(730)	(637)	(730)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(1)	(3)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			1	(9)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			2	3
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			3	(6)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			3	(6)
Balance	2	(9)	2	(9)
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(354)	(289)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications				1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3		10	6
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			10	7
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			10	7
Balance	(344)	(282)	(344)	(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			225	27
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			12	9
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			237	36
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			5	(2)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen stockholders			232	38
Balance	$ (979)	$ (1,021)	$ (979)	$ (1,021)