Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Net of Tax	$ 4	$ 467
Provision for income taxes	33	60
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(105)	(573)
Other (income)/expense, net	(9)	4
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)	5	381
Currency Translation (Gains)/Losses on Dispositions
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Net of Tax		233
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)	4	4
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest (income)/expense	5	6
Provision for income taxes	(1)	(2)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	4	4
Amortization of Actuarial Loss | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	(2)	(1)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(1)	(3)
Other (income)/expense, net	3	4
Unrealized (Gains)/Losses on Pension Liability on Dispositions
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, before Tax		183
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Tax		(42)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Net of Tax		141
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)	$ 1	$ 144