Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

	First		Second		Third			Fourth
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
2019
Revenues	$	1,563	$	1,628	$	1,616		$	1,691
Operating income/(loss)	$	174	$	249	$	(740	)	$	224
Income(loss) before income taxes and equity in net income(loss) of affiliates	$	79	$	149	$	(848	)	$	(43	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	43	$	123	$	(472	)	$	(109	)
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, basic
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	0.12	$	0.35	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.31	)
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, diluted
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	0.12	$	0.34	$	(1.33	)	$	(0.31	)
	First		Second		Third			Fourth
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
2018
Revenues	$	1,610	$	1,647	$	1,600		$	1,658
Operating income/(loss)	$	207	$	228	$	261		$	(1,171	)
Income(loss) before income taxes and equity in net income(loss) of affiliates	$	114	$	121	$	157		$	(1,274	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	72	$	72	$	96		$	(952	)
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, basic
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	0.20	$	0.20	$	0.27		$	(2.68	)
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, diluted
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$	0.20	$	0.20	$	0.27		$	(2.68	)