Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)		$ (468)	$ 98	$ (295)	$ 249
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(50)	3	(30)	(97)
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	(6)	2	(35)	16
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	4	3	10	12
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		(52)	8	(55)	(69)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)		(520)	106	(350)	180
Less: comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		3	5	12	10
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders		$ (523)	$ 101	$ (362)	$ 170

[1] Net of tax of $(7) million and $(1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $(8) million and $(4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

[2] Net of tax of $2 million and $(1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $13 million and $(6) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(1) million and zero for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $(2) million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.