Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Currency Translation Adjustments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Cash Flow Hedges	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits	Total Nielsen Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 2,243	$ 32	$ 4,340	$ (1,216)	$ (821)	$ (39)	$ (245)	$ 2,051	$ 192
Net income	654			649				649	5
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(33)				(33)			(33)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	9					9		9
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	5						5	5
Other Comprehensive Income gain/(loss) on disposition, net of tax	374				233		141	374
Dividends to shareholders	(49)		(43)					(43)	(6)
Common stock activity from share-based compensation plans	(4)		(4)					(4)
Share-based compensation expense	16		16					16
Other	(5)		(8)					(8)	3
Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	3,210	32	4,301	(567)	(621)	(30)	(99)	3,016	194
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	3,170	32	4,314	(643)	(591)	(34)	(101)	2,977	193
Net income	78			76				76	2
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(28)				(30)			(30)	2
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	4					4		4
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	2						2	2
Dividends to shareholders	(25)		(22)					(22)	(3)
Share-based compensation expense	9		9					9
Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	3,210	32	4,301	(567)	(621)	(30)	(99)	3,016	194
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	3,496	32	4,273	(253)	(647)	(18)	(73)	3,314	182
Net income	228			216				216	12
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(55)				(63)		11	(52)	(3)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	20					20		20
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	6						6	6
Capital contribution by non-controlling partner	1								1
Dividends to shareholders	(49)		(43)					(43)	(6)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based payment arrangements	(6)		(6)					(6)
Share-based compensation expense	18		18					18
Employee stock purchase plan	1		1					1
Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	3,660	32	4,243	(37)	(710)	2	(56)	3,474	186
Balance at Mar. 31, 2022	3,597	32	4,256	(148)	(670)	(5)	(59)	3,406	191
Net income	113			111				111	2
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(44)				(40)			(40)	(4)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	7					7		7
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	3						3	3
Capital contribution by non-controlling partner	1								1
Dividends to shareholders	(25)		(21)					(21)	(4)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based payment arrangements	(2)		(2)					(2)
Share-based compensation expense	10		10					10
Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 3,660	$ 32	$ 4,243	$ (37)	$ (710)	$ 2	$ (56)	$ 3,474	$ 186