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		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]
Interest expense		$ 95	$ 85	$ 277	$ 247
Provision for income taxes		(92)	(82)	(226)	(208)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(146)	(130)	(348)	(343)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		4	1	12	9
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders				2	3
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	4	5
Provision for income taxes		1	1	2	2
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		1	$ 1	2	3
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]	4		13	9
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes		1		3	3
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 3		$ 10	$ 6

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