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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Net of Tax	$ 1	$ (10)	$ 5	$ 457
Provision for income taxes	33	36	66	96
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(111)	(76)	(216)	(649)
Other expense/(income), net	1	26	(8)	30
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)	4	8	9	389
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)			7	9
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	4	7	9	13
Provision for income taxes	(1)	(2)	(2)	(4)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	3	5	7	9
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	(1)	(1)	(3)	(2)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	1	3	(2)	(6)
Other expense/(income), net	$ 2	$ 4	5	8
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)			$ 2	$ 147