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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			$ 4,443
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	$ 3	$ 4	10	$ 12
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	8	72	(69)	237
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3		1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5		(70)	232
Balance	4,215		4,215
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(610)	(856)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(97)	224
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(97)	224
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(98)	219
Balance	(708)	(637)	(708)	(637)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			10	(1)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			18	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income			(2)	2
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			16	3
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			16	3
Balance	26	2	26	2
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(340)	(354)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	4	3	12	10
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			12	10
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			12	10
Balance	(328)	(344)	(328)	(344)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(940)	(1,211)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(79)	225
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income			10	12
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(69)	237
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(70)	232
Balance	$ (1,010)	$ (979)	$ (1,010)	$ (979)