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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, Net of Tax	$ 1	$ (17)	$ 6	$ 440
Provision for income taxes	32	33	98	129
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(108)	(100)	(324)	(749)
Other expense/(income), net	7	2	(1)	32
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income)	2	8	11	397
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	15
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		7	9	20
Provision for income taxes		(1)	(2)	(5)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		6	7	15
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)	(4)	(3)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	2	2	(4)	(8)
Other expense/(income), net	$ 3	$ 3	8	11
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)			$ 4	$ 149