Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)		$ 576	$ (13)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	228	(104)
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	5	(33)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	144	4
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		377	(133)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)		953	(146)
Less: comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		1	(3)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders		$ 952	$ (143)

[1] Net of tax of $(3) million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

[2] Net of tax of $(3) million and $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively

[3] Net of tax of $(43) million and $(1) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively