Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	$ 3,043	$ 4,443
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1)	3
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	6	56
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	6	54
Balance	2,989	4,458
Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(779)	(610)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	11	41
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		41
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	11	39
Balance	(768)	(571)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	11	10
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(6)	11
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(3)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		11
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(9)	11
Balance	2	21
Post-Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(342)	(340)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	2	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	2	3
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		4
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	4	4
Balance	(338)	(336)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(1,110)	(940)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	7	53
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1)	3
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		56
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	6	54
Balance	$ (1,104)	$ (886)