Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)		$ 47	$ 75
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	11	41
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	(9)	11
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	4	4
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		6	56
Total comprehensive income/(loss)		53	131
Less: comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		4	5
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders		$ 49	$ 126

[1] Net of tax of $(4) million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

[2] Net of tax of $3 million and $(4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(1) million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018