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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	$ 3,043	$ 4,443	$ 4,293
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss	167	14
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	107	(171)	273
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	(1)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	105	(170)	271
Balance	2,388	3,043	4,443
Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(779)	(610)	(856)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	5	(170)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	5	(170)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	3	(169)
Balance	(776)	(779)	(610)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	11	10
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(23)	6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss	(7)	(5)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(30)	1
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(30)	1
Balance	(19)	11	10
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(342)	(340)	(354)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(42)	(21)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss	174	19
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	132	(2)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	132	(2)
Balance	(210)	(342)	(340)
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	(60)	(185)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss	167	14
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	107	(171)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	105	(170)
Balance	$ (1,005)	$ (1,110)	$ (940)