Nielsen (NLSN) 10-Q 25 Oct 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018shares
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NLSNNV
Entity Registrant Name	Nielsen Holdings plc
Entity Central Index Key	1,492,633
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	354,983,320

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,600	$ 1,641	$ 4,857	$ 4,811
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	681	692	2,098	2,031
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	464	448	1,451	1,395
Depreciation and amortization	175	160	504	477
Restructuring charges	19	7	108	48
Operating income	261	334	696	860
Interest income	2	1	6	3
Interest expense	(99)	(95)	(295)	(277)
Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net	(8)		(12)	(9)
Other income/(expense), net	1	2	(3)	5
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	157	242	392	582
Provision for income taxes	(59)	(92)	(142)	(226)
Equity in net loss of affiliates			(1)
Net income	98	150	249	356
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	4	9	8
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ 96	$ 146	$ 240	$ 348
Net income per share of common stock, basic
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ 0.27	$ 0.41	$ 0.67	$ 0.98
Net income per share of common stock, diluted
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ 0.27	$ 0.41	$ 0.67	$ 0.97
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic	354,993,315	356,426,891	355,737,081	356,881,905
Dilutive shares of common stock	568,389	1,265,224	661,438	1,391,915
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted	355,561,704	357,692,115	356,398,519	358,273,820
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 1.04	$ 0.99

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 98	$ 150	$ 249	$ 356
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	3	66	(97)	224
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	2	2	16	3
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	3	4	12	10
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		8	72	(69)	237
Total comprehensive income		106	222	180	593
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		5	4	10	13
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 101	$ 218	$ 170	$ 580
[1]	Net of tax of $(1) million and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $(4) million and $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively
[2]	Net of tax of $(1) million and $(2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $(6) million and $(2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively
[3]	Net of tax of zero and $(1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $(2) million and $(3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$ (1)	$ 6	$ (4)	$ 20
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, tax	(1)	(2)	(6)	(2)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments, tax	$ 0	$ (1)	$ (2)	$ (3)

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 446	$ 656
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $29 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	1,249	1,280
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	352	346
Total current assets	2,047	2,282
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	461	482
Goodwill	8,454	8,495
Other intangible assets, net	5,053	5,077
Deferred tax assets	166	170
Other non-current assets	454	360
Total assets	16,635	16,866
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	996	1,141
Deferred revenues	345	361
Income tax liabilities	146	111
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	307	84
Total current liabilities	1,794	1,697
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	8,304	8,357
Deferred tax liabilities	1,406	1,435
Other non-current liabilities	916	934
Total liabilities	12,420	12,423
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Nielsen stockholders’ equity
Common stock, €0.07 par value, 1,185,800,000 and 1,185,800,000 shares authorized; 354,984,198 and 355,956,031 shares issued; and 354,983,320 and 355,944,976 shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	32	32
Additional paid-in capital	4,714	4,742
Retained earnings	281	411
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(1,010)	(940)
Total Nielsen stockholders’ equity	4,017	4,245
Noncontrolling interests	198	198
Total equity	4,215	4,443
Total liabilities and equity	$ 16,635	$ 16,866

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2018€ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017€ / shares
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade and other receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns | $	$ 29		$ 29
Common stock, par value | € / shares		€ 0.07		€ 0.07
Common stock, shares authorized	1,185,800,000		1,185,800,000
Common stock, shares issued	354,984,198		355,956,031
Common stock, shares outstanding	354,983,320		355,944,976

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 249	$ 356
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	21	35
Currency exchange rate differences on financial transactions and other losses/(gains)	11	(25)
Equity in net loss of affiliates, net of dividends received	2	2
Depreciation and amortization	504	477
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired and divested:
Trade and other receivables, net	(48)	(15)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(70)	(8)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities and deferred revenues	(190)	(123)
Other non-current liabilities	(6)	(9)
Interest payable	53	63
Income taxes	(14)	51
Net cash provided by operating activities	512	804
Investing Activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(39)	(595)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(66)	(55)
Additions to intangible assets	(305)	(264)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	4	28
Other investing activities	3	(2)
Net cash used in investing activities	(403)	(888)
Financing Activities
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	204
Proceeds from issuances of debt, net of issuance costs	781	2,745
Repayment of debt	(805)	(2,289)
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings	1	(5)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(370)	(353)
Repurchase of common stock	(70)	(117)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	17	21
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4	5
Capital leases	(60)	(42)
Other financing activities	(15)	(13)
Net cash used in financing activities	(313)	(48)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6)	40
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(210)	(92)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	656	754
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	446	662
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for income taxes	(156)	(175)
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ (242)	$ (214)

Background and Basis of Present

Background and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation	1. Background and Basis of Presentation Background Nielsen Holdings plc (“Nielsen” or the “Company”), together with its subsidiaries, is a leading global measurement and data analytics company that provides clients with a comprehensive understanding of consumers and consumer behavior. Nielsen is aligned into two reporting segments: what consumers buy (“Buy”) and what consumers watch and listen to (“Watch”). Nielsen has a presence in more than 100 countries, with its registered office located in Oxford, the United Kingdom and headquarters located in New York, United States. Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, contain all the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies, commitments and contingencies and certain other information, refer to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. All amounts are presented in U.S. Dollars (“$”), except for share data or where expressly stated as being in other currencies, e.g., Euros (“€”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nielsen and all subsidiaries and other controlled entities. The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2018 for potential recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements and concluded there were no subsequent events that required recognition or disclosure other than those provided. Earnings per Share Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares of common stock consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of 4,110,836 and 4,141,427 shares of common stock equivalents under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. The effect of 4,105,322 and 4,349,803 shares of common stock equivalents under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. Accounts Receivable During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nielsen sold $154 million of accounts receivable to third parties and recorded an immaterial loss on the sales to interest expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $73 million and $110 million, respectively, remained outstanding. The sales were accounted for as true sales, without recourse. Nielsen maintains servicing responsibilities of most of the receivables, for which the related costs are not significant. The proceeds of $154 million from the sales were reported as a component of the changes in trade receivables, net within operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Operations in Argentina Nielsen has operations in both the Buy and Watch segments in Argentina and the functional currency for those operations is the Argentine Peso. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, Argentina’s currency has been considered hyperinflationary since July 1, 2018, and, accordingly, local currency transactions have been denominated in U.S. dollars since July 1, 2018, and will continue to be denominated in U.S. dollars until Argentina’s currency is no longer deemed to be hyperinflationary. Nielsen will continue to assess the appropriate conversion rate based on events in Argentina and Nielsen Argentina operations. This event has had an immaterial impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Recent Accounting Pr

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	2. Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost In March 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. This ASU is required to be applied retrospectively. As a result of the adoption of this ASU, the Company reclassified $3 million and $8 million from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income, net in its condensed consolidated statement of operations . Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets In February 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, “Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets," which clarifies the scope and application of ASC 610-20 on the sale or transfer of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to noncustomers, including partial sales. It requires the application of certain recognition and measurement principles in ASC 606 when derecognizing nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets, and the counterparty is not a customer. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements . Compensation- Stock Compensation In May 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718), “Scope of Modification Accounting,” which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The standard provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU, “Leases.” The new standard amends the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases currently classified as operating leases and amends disclosure requirements associated with leasing arrangements. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years In 2016, the Company established a cross-functional implementation team consisting of representatives from across all of its business segments. Management utilized a bottoms-up approach to analyze the impact of the standard on our leasing portfolio by reviewing the current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard. In addition, management identified, and is in the process of implementing appropriate changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support the recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While the Company continues to assess the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company expects it will increase assets and liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Income taxes In February 2018, the FASB issued an ASU, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Comprehensive Income”. The new standard will give companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects caused by the newly-enacted US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. The new standard will take effect for all companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Nielsen is assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	3. Revenue Recognition On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the modified retrospective method. The ASC has been applied to all contracts as of the date of adoption. There was no financial statement impact as a result of this adoption. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is generated from information (primarily retail measurement and consumer panel services) and measurement (primarily from television, radio, internet and mobile audiences) services. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a product or service to a customer, which generally occurs over time. Substantially all of the Company’s customer contracts are non-cancelable and non-refundable. The following is a description of principal activities, by reportable segment, from which the Company generates its revenues. Revenue from the Buy segment consists primarily of retail measurement services, which provide market share, competitive sales volumes and insights into such activities as distribution, pricing, merchandising and promotion, and consumer panel services, which provide clients with insights into shopper behavior such as trial and repeat purchase for new products and likely substitutes as well as customer segmentation. Revenues for these services are recognized over the period during which the performance obligations are satisfied as the customer receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company and control of the services is transferred to the customer. The Company also provides consumer intelligence and analytical services that help clients make smarter business decisions throughout their product development and marketing cycles. The Company’s performance under these arrangements do not create an asset with an alternative use to the company and generally include an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. As such, revenue for these services is typically recognized over time. Revenue for contracts that do not include an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date is recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied, generally upon delivery of the services, and when control of the services is transferred to the customer. Revenue from our Watch segment is primarily generated from television, radio, digital and mobile measurement services which are used by the Company’s clients to establish the value of airtime and more effectively schedule and promote their programming. As the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance, revenues for these services is recognized over the period during which the performance obligations are satisfied and control of the service is transferred to the customer. The Company enters into cooperation arrangements with its customers, under which the customer provides Nielsen with its data in exchange for Nielsen’s services. Nielsen records these transactions at fair value, which is determined based on the fair value of goods or services received, if reasonably estimable. If not reasonably estimable, the Company considers the fair value of the goods or services surrendered. The table below sets forth the Company’s revenue disaggregated within each segment, including by primary geographic markets for Buy and by major product offerings for Watch and by timing of revenue recognition. (IN MILLIONS) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Buy Segment (primary geographical markets) Developed Markets $ 481 $ 491 $ 1,440 $ 1,472 Emerging Markets 269 297 856 860 Core Buy $ 750 $ 788 $ 2,296 $ 2,332 Corporate $ 5 $ 15 $ 24 $ 51 Buy $ 755 $ 803 $ 2,320 $ 2,383 Watch Segment (major product/service lines) Audience Measurement (Video and Text) $ 607 $ 580 $ 1,815 $ 1,682 Audio 125 127 369 370 Marketing Effectiveness 80 89 250 237 Core Watch $ 812 $ 796 $ 2,434 $ 2,289 Corporate/Other Watch 33 42 103 139 Watch $ 845 $ 838 $ 2,537 $ 2,428 Total Core Buy and Watch $ 1,562 $ 1,584 $ 4,730 $ 4,621 Total $ 1,600 $ 1,641 $ 4,857 $ 4,811 Timing of revenue recognition Products transferred at a point in time $ 140 $ 124 $ 420 $ 343 Products and services transferred over time 1,460 1,517 4,437 4,468 Total $ 1,600 $ 1,641 $ 4,857 $ 4,811 Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract assets represent the Company’s rights to consideration in exchange for services transferred to a customer that have not been billed as of the reporting date. While the Company’s rights to consideration are generally unconditional at the time its performance obligations are satisfied, under certain circumstances the related billing occurs in arrears, generally within one month of the services being rendered. At the inception of a contract, the Company generally expects the period between when it transfers its services to its customers and when the customer pays for such services will be one year or less. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component. Contract liabilities relate to advance consideration received or the right to consideration that is unconditional from customers for which revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied and control transferred to the customer. The table below sets forth the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers. (IN MILLIONS) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Contract assets $ 285 $ 259 Contract liabilities $ 345 $ 361 The increase in the contract assets balance during the period was primarily due to $232 million of revenue recognized that was not billed, in accordance with the terms of the contracts, as of September 30, 2018, offset by $209 million of contract assets included in the December 31, 2017 balance that were subsequently invoiced to our clients and therefore transferred to trade receivables. The movement in the contract liability balance during the period was primarily due to $289 million of advance consideration received or the right to consideration that is unconditional from customers for which revenue was not recognized during the period, as of September 30, 2018, offset by $310 million of revenue recognized during the period that had been included in the December 31, 2017 contract liability balance. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, Nielsen recognized $33 million of revenue that was included in the December 31, 2017 contract liability balance. Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations As of September 30, 2018, approximately $6.8 billion of revenue is expected to be recognized from remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) for our services. This amount excludes variable consideration allocated to performance obligations related to sales and usage based royalties on licenses of intellectual property. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately 62% of these remaining performance obligations through December 31, 2019, with the balance recognized thereafter. Deferred Costs Incremental direct costs incurred to build the infrastructure to service new contracts are capitalized as a contract cost. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the balances of such capitalized costs were $26 million and $37 million, respectively. These costs are typically amortized through cost of revenues over the original contract period beginning when the infrastructure to service new clients is ready for its intended use. The amortization of these costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $8 million and $15 million, respectively. There was no impairment loss recorded in any of the periods presented.

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions	4. Business Acquisitions Gracenote On February 1, 2017, Nielsen completed the acquisition of Gracenote Inc., Gracenote Canada, Inc., Gracenote Netherlands Holdings B.V., Tribune Digital Ventures, LLC, and Tribune International Holdco, LLC (each, a “Gracenote Company” and together “Gracenote”) through the purchase of 100% of Gracenote’s outstanding common stock for a total purchase price of $585 million. Nielsen acquired the data and technology that underpins the programming guides and personnel user experience for major video, music, audio and sports content. This acquisition expands Nielsen’s footprint with major clients including Gracenote’s global content database which spans across platforms including multichannel video programing distributors (MVPD’s), smart television, streaming music services, connected devices, media players and in-car infotainment systems. The Company incurred acquisition-related expenses of zero and $6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, which primarily consisted of transaction fees, legal, accounting and other professional services that are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and Gracenote for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2017, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangible assets, an increase in interest expense from acquisition financing, and certain other adjustments: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (IN MILLIONS) Revenues $ 4,829 Income from continuing operations $ 356 The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect any synergies and are not necessarily indicative of the results that the Company would have attained had the acquisition of Gracenote been completed as of the beginning of the reporting period. Other Acquisitions For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $39 million associated with current period acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had these acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2018, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, excluding Gracenote, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $28 million associated with both current period and previously executed acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had these 2017 acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2017, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill The table below summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Total Balance, December 31, 2017 $ 2,844 $ 5,651 $ 8,495 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 10 15 25 Effect of foreign currency translation (58 ) (8 ) (66 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 2,796 $ 5,658 $ 8,454 At September 30, 2018, $53 million of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Other Intangible Assets Gross Amounts Accumulated Amortization September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade names and trademarks $ 1,921 $ 1,921 $ — $ — Amortized intangibles: Trade names and trademarks 139 139 (101 ) (92 ) Customer-related intangibles 3,180 3,174 (1,590 ) (1,463 ) Covenants-not-to-compete 39 39 (37 ) (37 ) Content databases 168 168 (22 ) (12 ) Computer software 3,010 2,681 (1,704 ) (1,498 ) Patents and other 175 171 (125 ) (114 ) Total $ 6,711 $ 6,372 $ (3,579 ) $ (3,216 ) Amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets was $125 million and $114 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts included amortization expense associated with computer software of $73 million and $64 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets was $362 million and $341 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These amounts included amortization expense associated with computer software of $206 million and $190 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Nielsen assesses indicators of impairment during interim periods. During the second quarter of 2018, in connection with its quarterly forecasting cycle, the Company updated the forecasted operating results for each of its businesses based on the most recent financial results and best estimates of future operations. The updated forecasts reflected a decline in near-term revenue growth and profitability, primarily in its Buy business. Accordingly, in connection with the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2018, the Company performed an updated impairment analysis. Based on this analysis, Nielsen concluded that the fair value of its reporting units was in excess of carrying value as of such date. Therefore, management concluded it was not more-likely-than-not that an impairment had occurred. However, the fair value of one of Nielsen’s reporting units exceeded its carrying value by less than 10%, compared to greater than 20% during our last annual impairment assessment performed as of October 1, 2017. Nielsen also concluded that the fair value of other indefinite-lived assets exceeded carrying value. Nielsen performs sensitivity analyses on its assumptions, primarily around both the long-term growth rate and discount rate assumptions. Nielsen’s sensitivity analyses include several combinations of reasonably possible scenarios with regard to these assumptions. However, Nielsen consistently tests a one percent movement in both its long-term growth rate and discount rate assumptions. When applying these sensitivity analyses, the Company noted that the fair value was less than the underlying book value for one of its reporting units. Even though Nielsen’s sensitivity analyses, based upon reasonably possible adverse changes in assumptions, showed a potential shortfall in one of its reporting units, Nielsen believes that management has the ability to execute certain productivity and other actions in order to increase the results of operations and cash flows of its reporting units. While management believes that these sensitivity analyses provide a reasonable basis on which to evaluate the recovery of Nielsen’s goodwill, other facts or circumstances may arise that could impact the impairment assessment and therefore these analyses should not be used as a sole predictor of impairment. Based on the operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2018, management similarly concluded it was not more-likely-than-not that an impairment had occurred. Should operating results decline versus management’s latest forecast for any reason, including if the Buy business results do not meet current expectations or should the Company’s recently announced review of strategic alternatives lead to changes in investment strategies, then goodwill may be at risk for impairment in the future. The Company is in the process of performing its annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2018 .

Changes in and Reclassification

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component	6. Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2017 $ (610 ) $ 10 $ (340 ) $ (940 ) Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (97 ) 18 — (79 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income — (2 ) 12 10 Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income (97 ) 16 12 (69 ) Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1 — — 1 Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders (98 ) 16 12 (70 ) Balance September 30, 2018 $ (708 ) $ 26 $ (328 ) $ (1,010 ) Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2016 $ (856 ) $ (1 ) $ (354 ) $ (1,211 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 224 1 — 225 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 2 10 12 Net current period other comprehensive income 224 3 10 237 Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 5 — — 5 Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders 219 3 10 232 Balance September 30, 2017 $ (637 ) $ 2 $ (344 ) $ (979 ) The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (2 ) $ 2 Interest (income)/expense (1 ) 1 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes $ (1 ) $ 1 Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 5 $ 4 (a) 1 1 Benefit for income taxes $ 4 $ 3 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 3 $ 4 Net of tax (a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (3 ) $ 4 Interest (income)/expense (1 ) 2 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes $ (2 ) $ 2 Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 14 $ 13 (a) 2 3 Benefit for income taxes $ 12 $ 10 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 10 $ 12 Net of tax (a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

Restructuring Activities

Restructuring Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Activities	7. Restructuring Activities A summary of the changes in the liabilities for restructuring activities is provided below: Total (IN MILLIONS) Initiatives Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 58 Charges 108 Payments (98 ) Effect of foreign currency translation and other adjustments (1 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 67 Nielsen recorded $19 million and $7 million in restructuring charges for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively, and $108 million and $48 million in restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. These charges are primarily related to programs associated with Nielsen’s plans to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses and consolidate operations centers, as well as automation initiatives. Of the $67 million in remaining liabilities for restructuring actions, $56 million is expected to be paid within one year and is classified as a current liability within the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	8. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact, and also considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of non-performance. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1: Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Level 2: Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 3: Pricing inputs that are generally unobservable and may not be corroborated by market data. Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at fair value, except for equity method investments, cost method investments, and long-term debt. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s material financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017: September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) 30 30 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) 40 — 40 — Total $ 72 $ 32 $ 40 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ — — $ — — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 30 30 — — Total $ 30 $ 30 $ — — December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) 33 33 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) 17 — 17 — Total $ 52 $ 35 17 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ — — $ — — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 33 33 — — Total $ 33 $ 33 $ — — (1) Plan assets are comprised of investments in mutual funds, which are intended to fund liabilities arising from deferred compensation plans. These investments are carried at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices at period end in active markets. These investments are classified as trading securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. (2) Investments in mutual funds are money-market accounts held with the intention of funding certain specific retirement plans. (3) Derivative financial instruments include interest rate swap arrangements recorded at fair value based on externally-developed valuation models that use readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk. (4) The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. A participant’s deferrals are invested in a variety of participant directed stock and bond mutual funds and are classified as trading securities. Changes in the fair value of these securities are measured using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held exclusive of any transaction costs. A corresponding adjustment for changes in fair value of the trading securities is also reflected in the changes in fair value of the deferred compensation obligation. Derivative Financial Instruments Nielsen primarily uses interest rate swap derivative instruments to manage the risk that changes in interest rates will affect the cash flows of its underlying debt obligations. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedging relationship must meet several conditions with respect to documentation, probability of occurrence, hedge effectiveness and reliability of measurement. Nielsen documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions as well as the hedge effectiveness assessment, both at the hedge inception and on an ongoing basis. Nielsen recognizes all derivatives at fair value either as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and changes in the fair values of such instruments are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. If specific cash flow hedge accounting criteria are met, Nielsen recognizes the changes in fair value of these instruments in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). Nielsen manages exposure to possible defaults on derivative financial instruments by monitoring the concentration of risk that Nielsen has with any individual bank and through the use of minimum credit quality standards for all counterparties. Nielsen does not require collateral or other security in relation to derivative financial instruments. A derivative contract entered into between Nielsen or certain of its subsidiaries and a counterparty that was also a lender under Nielsen’s senior secured credit facilities at the time the derivative contract was entered into is guaranteed under the senior secured credit facilities by Nielsen and certain of its subsidiaries (see Note 9 - Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements for more information). Since it is Nielsen’s policy to only enter into derivative contracts with banks of internationally acknowledged standing, Nielsen considers the counterparty risk to be remote. It is Nielsen’s policy to have an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement established with every bank with which it has entered into any derivative contract. Under each of these ISDA Master Agreements, Nielsen agrees to settle only the net amount of the combined market values of all derivative contracts outstanding with any one counterparty should that counterparty default. Certain of the ISDA Master Agreements contain cross-default provisions where if the Company either defaults in payment obligations under its credit facility or if such obligations are accelerated by the lenders, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. At September 30, 2018, Nielsen had no material exposure to potential economic losses due to counterparty credit default risk or cross-default risk on its derivative financial instruments. Foreign Currency Exchange Risk During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, Nielsen recorded a net loss of $1 million and zero, respectively, associated with foreign currency derivative financial instruments within foreign currency exchange transactions losses, net in its condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 the notional amounts of the outstanding foreign currency derivative financial instruments were $84 million and $74 million, respectively. Interest Rate Risk Nielsen is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk on the floating-rate U.S. Dollar and Euro Term Loans, and uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge this exposure. For these derivatives, Nielsen reports the after-tax gain or loss from the effective portion of the hedge as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and reclassifies it into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedged transaction affects earnings, and within the same income statement line item as the impact of the hedged transaction. In May 2018, the Company entered into a $250 million aggregate notional amount five-year interest rate swap agreement with a starting date of May 9, 2018. This agreement fixes the LIBOR-related portion of interest rates of a corresponding amount of the Company’s variable-rate debt at an average rate of 2.72%. This derivative has been designated as an interest rate cash flow hedge. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swaps utilized in the management of its interest rate risk: Notional Amount Maturity Date Currency Interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 April 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 June 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 July 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2021 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2022 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 May 2023 US Dollar The table below summarizes effect of cash flow hedge accounting on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively: Interest Expense Interest Expense Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest expense (Location in the consolidated statement of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded) $ 99 $ 95 $ 295 $ 277 Amount of (gain)/loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax $ (1 ) $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 2 Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income as a result that a forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, net of tax $ — $ — $ — $ — Nielsen expects to recognize approximately $16 million of net pre-tax gains from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense in the next 12 months associated with its interest-related derivative financial instruments. Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Other Other Current Other Non-Current Other Non-Current Other Current Other Non-Current Non-Current (IN MILLIONS) Assets Assets Liabilities Assets Assets Liabilities Interest rate swaps $ 5 $ 35 $ — $ — $ 17 $ — Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was as follows: Amount of (Gain)/Loss Amount of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from AOCI Recognized in OCI Location of Loss into Income (Effective Portion) Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion) Derivatives in Cash Flow Three Months Ended into Income (Effective Three Months Ended Hedging Relationships September 30, Portion) September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $ (5 ) $ 3 Interest expense $ (2 ) $ 2 The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was as follows: Amount of (Gain)/Loss Amount of Gain Reclassified from AOCI Recognized in OCI Location of Loss into Income (Effective Portion) Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion) Derivatives in Cash Flow Nine Months Ended into Income Nine Months Ended Hedging Relationships September 30, (Effective Portion) September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $ 26 $ 2 Interest expense $ (3 ) $ 4 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis The Company is required, on a nonrecurring basis, to adjust the carrying value using fair value measurements or provide valuation allowances for certain assets using the more-likely-than-not criteria. The Company’s equity method investments, cost method investments, and non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment, are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized. The Company did not measure any material non-financial assets or liabilities at fair value during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Long-term Debt and Other Financ

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements	9. Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements Unless otherwise stated, interest rates are as of September 30, 2018. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Weighted Weighted Interest Carrying Fair Interest Carrying Fair (IN MILLIONS) Rate Amount Value Rate Amount Value $2,080 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 3.43%) due 2019 $ — — $ 1,392 1,397 $1,125 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 3.88%) due 2023 1,119 1,124 — — $2,303 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 4.13%) due 2023 2,291 2,294 2,232 2,247 €380 million Senior secured term loan (Euro LIBOR based variable rate of 2.09%) due 2021 — — 450 452 €545 million Senior secured term loan (Euro LIBOR based variable rate of 2.50%) due 2023 632 634 — — $850 million senior secured revolving credit facility (Euro LIBOR or LIBOR based variable rate) due 2023 204 204 — — Total senior secured credit facilities (with weighted-average interest rate) 3.89 % 4,246 4,256 3.39 % 4,074 4,096 $800 million 4.50% senior debenture loan due 2020 796 800 795 809 $625 million 5.50% senior debenture loan due 2021 621 628 620 643 $2,300 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2022 2,290 2,244 2,288 2,362 $500 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2025 496 490 496 518 Total debenture loans (with weighted-average interest rate) 5.22 % 4,203 4,162 5.22 % 4,199 4,332 Other loans 1 1 1 1 Total long-term debt 4.55 % 8,450 8,419 4.32 % 8,274 8,429 Capital lease and other financing obligations 160 167 Bank overdrafts 1 — Total debt and other financing arrangements 8,611 8,441 Less: Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings 307 84 Non-current portion of long-term debt and capital lease and other financing obligations $ 8,304 $ 8,357 The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt instruments was based on the yield on public debt where available or current borrowing rates available for financings with similar terms and maturities and such fair value measurements are considered Level 1 or Level 2 in nature, respectively. Annual maturities of Nielsen’s long-term debt are as follows: (IN MILLIONS) For October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 $ 216 2019 45 2020 855 2021 703 2022 2,402 2023 3,735 Thereafter 494 $ 8,450 In June 2018, Nielsen entered into an Amendment Agreement to amend and restate its Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Prior Credit Agreement”) in the form of the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”). Among other things, the Amendment Agreement provided for: (i) the refinancing and replacement of the prior Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility with a new Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility having commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $850,000,000; (ii) the refinancing and replacement of the prior Class A Term Loans with new Class A Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,125,000,000; (iii) the refinancing and replacement of the prior Class B-2 Euro Term Loans with new Class B-2 Euro Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of € The proceeds of loans under each replacement facility were used to replace or refinance the entire outstanding principal amount of loans under the prior facility that was replaced, and the proceeds of the incremental Class B-4 Term Loans, together with a portion of the proceeds of the Class B-2 Euro Term Loans in excess of the amount of the prior Class B-2 Euro Term Loans that were replaced, were used to prepay the amount of prior Class A Term Loans in excess of the amount of new Class A Term Loans. The new Class A Term Loans will mature in full on July 9, 2023 and are required to be repaid in quarterly installments in an aggregate amount equal to 0.63% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the first eight quarters following the effective date of the Amendment Agreement, 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the subsequent eight quarters and 2.50% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the subsequent three quarters, with the balance payable on July 9, 2023. The new Class B-2 Euro Term Loans will mature in full on October 4, 2023 and are required to be repaid in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Class B-2 Euro Term Loans, with the balance payable on October 4, 2023. The Class B-4 Term Loans will mature in full on October 4, 2023 and are required to be repaid in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Class B-4 Term Loans, with the balance payable on October 4, 2023. The new Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility matures on July 9, 2023. The new Class A Term Loans and loans under the new Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our election, (i) a base rate or eurocurrency rate, plus (ii) an applicable margin determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), which varies from 0.25% to 1.00%, in the case of base rate loans, and from 1.25% to 2.00%, in the case of eurocurrency rate loans. The Class B-2 Euro Term Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (i) a eurocurrency rate plus (ii) an applicable margin equal to 2.50%. The Class B-4 Term Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our election, (i) a base rate or eurocurrency rate, plus (ii) an applicable margin, which is equal to 2.00%, in the case of eurocurrency loans, or 1.00%, in the case of base rate loans. The Amended Credit Agreement contains substantially the same affirmative and negative covenants as those of the Prior Credit Agreement, except the exceptions to the restrictions on restricted payments and investments that are determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio were amended to increase the applicable limits. Nielsen wrote-off certain previously capitalized deferred financing fees of $2 million associated with the June 2018 debt refinancing and incurred certain costs in connection with the refinancing of $5 million.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	10. Stockholders’ Equity Common stock activity is as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding Beginning of period 355,944,976 Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans 1,248,323 Employee benefit trust activity 10,177 Repurchases of common stock (2,220,156 ) End of period 354,983,320 On January 31, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted a cash dividend policy to pay quarterly cash dividends on its outstanding common stock. The following table represents the cash dividends declared by the Board and paid to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively . Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share February 16, 2017 March 2, 2017 March 16, 2017 $ 0.31 April 24, 2017 June 2, 2017 June 16, 2017 $ 0.34 July 20, 2017 August 24, 2017 September 7, 2017 $ 0.34 October 19, 2017 November 21, 2017 December 5, 2017 $ 0.34 February 18, 2018 March 7, 2018 March 21, 2018 $ 0.34 April 19, 2018 June 6, 2018 June 20, 2018 $ 0.35 July 19, 2018 August 22, 2018 September 5, 2018 $ 0.35 On October 18, 2018, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share on Nielsen’s common stock. The dividend is payable on December 5, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 21, 2018. The dividend policy and the payment of future cash dividends are subject to the discretion of the Board. Nielsen’s Board approved a share repurchase program, as included in the below table, for up to $2 billion in the aggregate of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The primary purposes of the program are to return value to shareholders and to mitigate dilution associated with Nielsen’s equity compensation plans. Board Approval Share Repurchase Authorization ($ in millions) July 25, 2013 $ 500 October 23, 2014 $ 1,000 December 11, 2015 $ 500 Total Share Repurchase Authorization $ 2,000 Repurchases under this program will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws from time to time in the open market or otherwise depending on Nielsen’s evaluation of market conditions and other factors. This program has been executed within the limitations of the authority granted by Nielsen’s shareholders. As of September 30, 2018, there have been 39,426,521 shares of the Company’s common stock purchased at an average price of $44.95 per share (total consideration of approximately $1,772 million) under this program. The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of open market share repurchases and is summarized in the following table: Total Number of Dollar Value of Shares Shares Purchased as that may yet be Total Number Average Part of Publicly Purchased under the of Shares Price Paid Announced Plans Publicly Announced Period Purchased per Share or Programs Plans or Programs As of December 31, 2017 37,206,365 $ 45.74 37,206,365 $ 298,118,746 2018 Activity January 1- 31 — $ — — $ 298,118,746 February 1- 28 187,048 $ 33.31 187,048 $ 291,887,826 March 1- 31 424,324 $ 33.04 424,324 $ 277,868,369 April 1-30 155,878 $ 32.24 155,878 $ 272,843,463 May 1-31 922,862 $ 30.79 922,862 $ 244,424,375 June 1-30 208,510 $ 30.85 208,510 $ 237,992,519 July 1-31 321,534 $ 31.26 321,534 $ 227,942,536 August 1-31 — $ — — $ 227,942,536 September 1-30 — $ — — $ 227,942,536 Total 39,426,521 $ 44.95 39,426,521

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	11. Income Taxes The effective tax rate for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 38%. The tax rate for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was higher than the statutory rate as a result of the impact of tax rate differences in other jurisdictions where the Company files tax returns, and the effect of global licensing activities and foreign distributions, offset by the favorable impact of certain financing activities. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were 36% and 39%, respectively. The tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was higher than the statutory rate as a result of the impact of tax rate differences in other jurisdictions where the Company files tax returns, and the effect of global licensing activities and foreign distributions, offset by the favorable impact of certain financing activities. The tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was higher than the statutory rate as a result of the impact of tax rate differences in other jurisdictions where the Company files tax returns, and the effect of global licensing activities, offset by the favorable impact of certain financing activities and the impact of share-based compensation excess tax benefit. The principal reason for the decrease in the effective tax rate in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was due to tax reform enacted within the United States. The TCJA was enacted in December 2017. The TCJA reduces the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective as of January 1, 2018, and creates a territorial-style taxing system. The TCJA also requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously deferred and also creates new taxes on certain types of foreign earnings. Nielsen is subject to the provisions of the FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted. In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides that companies that have not completed their accounting for the effects of the TCJA can determine a reasonable estimate of those effects and should include a provisional amount based on their reasonable estimate in their financial statements. The guidance in SAB 118 also allows companies to adjust the provisional amounts during a one year measurement period which is similar to the measurement period used when accounting for business combinations. As of September 30, 2018, Nielsen has not completed our accounting for all of the tax effects associated with the enactment of the TCJA. However, Nielsen has made a reasonable estimate of the (a) effects on our existing deferred tax balances, (b) one-time transition tax, (c) Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT), (d) Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) and (e) Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII). Although Nielsen has estimated the current tax impact of GILTI as a component of Nielsen’s annual effective tax rate, given the complexity of the GILTI provisions, the Company is still evaluating its accounting policy in respect of recognizing associated deferred taxes. Nielsen continues to gather additional information related to the transition tax estimates and deferred tax estimates to more precisely compute the transition tax and re-measurement of deferred taxes. Nielsen continues to interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS or other standard-setting bodies and will complete any adjustments to the provisional amounts within the SAB 118 measurement period. The estimated liability for unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 is $456 million and was $452 million as of December 31, 2017. If the Company’s tax positions are favorably sustained by the taxing authorities, the reversal of the underlying liabilities would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. The Company files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examination for 2006 and prior periods. In addition, the Company has subsidiaries in various states, provinces and countries that are currently under audit for years ranging from 2003 through 2017. To date, the Company is not aware of any material adjustments not already accrued related to any of the current Federal, state or foreign audits under examination.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings and Contingencies In August 2018, two putative stockholder class action lawsuits were filed in the Southern District of New York, naming as defendants Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer Dwight Mitchell Barns, and former Chief Financial Officer Jamere Jackson. A third lawsuit, which alleges similar facts but also names other defendants, including former Chief Operating Officer Stephen Hasker, was filed in the Northern District of Illinois in September 2018. These lawsuits assert violations of certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based on allegedly false and materially misleading statements relating to the outlook of Nielsen’s Buy segment, Nielsen’s preparedness for changes in global data privacy laws and Nielsen’s reliance on third-party data. Nielsen expects that an amended or consolidated complaint relating to these cases will be filed after appointment of a lead plaintiff and intends to file a motion to dismiss the amended or consolidated complaint. Nielsen intends to defend these lawsuits vigorously. Based on currently available information, Nielsen believes that it has meritorious defenses to these actions and that their resolution is not likely to have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position, or results of operations. Nielsen is also subject to litigation and other claims in the ordinary course of business, some of which include claims for substantial sums. Accruals have been recorded when the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be determined, the Company does expect that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition. However, depending on the amount and the timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect the Company’s future results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	13. Segments The Company aligns its operating segments in order to conform to management’s internal reporting structure, which is reflective of service offerings by industry. Management aggregates such operating segments into two reporting segments: what consumers buy (“Buy”), consisting principally of market research information and analytical services; and what consumers watch and listen to (“Watch”), consisting principally of television, radio, online and mobile audience and advertising measurement and corresponding analytics. Corporate consists principally of unallocated items such as certain facilities and infrastructure costs as well as intersegment eliminations. Certain corporate costs, other than those described above, including those related to selling, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology systems, are considered operating costs and are allocated to the Company’s segments based on either the actual amount of costs incurred or on a basis consistent with the operations of the underlying segment. Information with respect to the operations of each of Nielsen’s business segments is set forth below based on the nature of the services offered and geographic areas of operations. Business Segment Information (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Corporate Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Revenues $ 755 $ 845 $ — $ 1,600 Depreciation and amortization $ 58 $ 115 $ 2 $ 175 Restructuring charges $ 16 $ 4 $ (1 ) $ 19 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2 $ 2 $ (3 ) $ 1 Other items ( 1) $ — $ — $ 15 $ 15 Operating income/(loss) $ 33 $ 256 $ (28 ) $ 261 Business segment income/(loss) ( 2) $ 109 $ 377 $ (15 ) $ 471 Total assets as of September 30, 2018 $ 6,877 $ 9,768 $ (10 ) $ 16,635 (IN MILLIONS) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 803 $ 838 $ — $ 1,641 Depreciation and amortization $ 53 $ 106 $ 1 $ 160 Restructuring charges $ 4 $ 2 $ 1 $ 7 Stock-based compensation expense $ 3 $ 2 $ 3 $ 8 Other items ( 1) $ — $ — $ 10 $ 10 Operating income/(loss) $ 84 $ 280 $ (30 ) $ 334 Business segment income/(loss) ( 2) $ 144 $ 390 $ (15 ) $ 519 Total assets as of December 31, 2017 $ 6,862 $ 9,911 $ 93 $ 16,866 (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Corporate Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Revenues $ 2,320 $ 2,537 $ — $ 4,857 Depreciation and amortization $ 167 $ 332 $ 5 $ 504 Restructuring charges $ 86 $ 18 $ 4 $ 108 Stock-based compensation expense $ 9 $ 7 $ 5 $ 21 Other items (1) $ — $ — $ 33 $ 33 Operating income/(loss) $ 41 $ 738 $ (83 ) $ 696 Business segment income/(loss) (2) $ 303 $ 1,095 $ (36 ) $ 1,362 (IN MILLIONS) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 2,383 $ 2,428 $ — $ 4,811 Depreciation and amortization $ 156 $ 318 $ 3 $ 477 Restructuring charges $ 31 $ 9 $ 8 $ 48 Stock-based compensation expense $ 10 $ 9 $ 16 $ 35 Other items (1) $ — $ — $ 28 $ 28 Operating income/(loss) $ 217 $ 734 $ (91 ) $ 860 Business segment income/(loss) (2) $ 414 $ 1,070 $ (36 ) $ 1,448 (1) Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. (2) The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses business segment income/(loss) to measure performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within its operating segments.

Guarantor Financial Information

Guarantor Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	14. Guarantor Financial Information The following supplemental financial information is being provided for purposes of compliance with reporting covenants contained in certain debt obligations of Nielsen and its subsidiaries. The financial information sets forth for Nielsen, its subsidiaries that have issued certain debt securities (the “Issuers”) and its guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries, the consolidating balance sheet as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company re-designated certain subsidiaries between guarantor and non-guarantor. As a result, the Company adjusted the prior period condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income to reflect the current year structure. The issued debt securities are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by Nielsen and subject to certain exceptions, each of the direct and indirect 100% owned subsidiaries of Nielsen, in each case to the extent that such entities provide a guarantee under the senior secured credit facilities. The issuers are also 100% owned indirect subsidiaries of Nielsen: Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. for certain series of debt obligations, and The Nielsen Company (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., for the other series of debt obligations. Each issuer is a guarantor of the debt obligations not issued by it. Nielsen is a holding company and does not have any material assets or operations other than ownership of the capital stock of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All of Nielsen’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, and, therefore, Nielsen is expected to continue to be dependent upon the cash flows of its subsidiaries to meet its obligations. The senior secured credit facilities contain certain limitations on the ability of Nielsen to receive the cash flows of its subsidiaries. While all subsidiary guarantees of the issued debt securities are full and unconditional, these guarantees contain customary release provisions including when (i) the subsidiary is sold or sells all of its assets, (ii) the subsidiary is declared “unrestricted” for covenant purposes, (iii) the subsidiary’s guarantee under the senior secured credit facilities is released and (iv) the requirements for discharge of the indenture have been satisfied. Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 885 $ 715 $ — $ 1,600 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 355 326 — 681 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 221 242 — 464 Depreciation and amortization — — 142 33 — 175 Restructuring charges — — 4 15 — 19 Operating (loss)/income (1 ) — 163 99 — 261 Interest income — 170 10 1 (179 ) 2 Interest expense — (93 ) (176 ) (9 ) 179 (99 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 1 (9 ) — (8 ) Other (expense)/income, net — — (17 ) 18 — 1 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates (1 ) 77 (19 ) 100 — 157 Provision for income taxes — (17 ) (9 ) (33 ) — (59 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 97 47 125 — (269 ) — Net income 96 107 97 67 (269 ) 98 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Net income attributable to controlling interest 96 107 97 65 (269 ) 96 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 5 4 5 (6 ) — 8 Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3 — 3 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 5 4 5 (9 ) — 5 Total comprehensive income 101 111 102 61 (269 ) 106 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 101 $ 111 $ 102 $ 56 $ (269 ) $ 101 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 893 $ 748 $ — $ 1,641 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 355 337 — 692 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 196 251 — 448 Depreciation and amortization — — 126 34 — 160 Restructuring charges — — 2 5 — 7 Operating (loss)/income (1 ) — 214 121 — 334 Interest income — 238 10 — (247 ) 1 Interest expense — (90 ) (241 ) (11 ) 247 (95 ) Other income/(expense), net — — 94 (92 ) — 2 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries (1 ) 148 77 18 — 242 Provision for income taxes — (52 ) (37 ) (3 ) — (92 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 147 61 107 — (315 ) — Net income 146 157 147 15 (315 ) 150 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Net income attributable to controlling interest 146 157 147 11 (315 ) 146 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 72 (6 ) 72 69 (135 ) 72 Total comprehensive income 218 151 219 88 (454 ) 222 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 218 $ 151 $ 219 $ 84 $ (454 ) $ 218 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,654 $ 2,203 $ — $ 4,857 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 1,089 1,009 — 2,098 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 3 — 690 758 — 1,451 Depreciation and amortization — — 403 101 — 504 Restructuring charges — — 36 72 — 108 Operating (loss)/income (3 ) — 436 263 — 696 Interest income 1 486 28 5 (514 ) 6 Interest expense — (276 ) (504 ) (29 ) 514 (295 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net — — — (12 ) — (12 ) Other (expense)/income, net — (7 ) 103 (99 ) — (3 ) (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (2 ) 203 63 128 — 392 Provision for income taxes — (43 ) (29 ) (70 ) — (142 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 242 132 208 — (582 ) — Equity in net loss of affiliates — — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income 240 292 242 57 (582 ) 249 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Net income attributable to controlling interest 240 292 242 48 (582 ) 240 Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (70 ) 25 (70 ) (98 ) 144 (69 ) Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 1 — 1 Total other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to controlling interests (70 ) 25 (70 ) (99 ) 144 (70 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 170 317 172 (41 ) (438 ) 180 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 10 — 10 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 170 $ 317 $ 172 $ (51 ) $ (438 ) $ 170 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,641 $ 2,170 $ — $ 4,811 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 1,050 981 — 2,031 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 3 — 685 707 — 1,395 Depreciation and amortization — — 384 93 — 477 Restructuring charges — — 20 28 — 48 Operating (loss)/income (3 ) — 502 361 — 860 Interest income 1 682 27 3 (710 ) 3 Interest expense — (263 ) (694 ) (30 ) 710 (277 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net — — (3 ) (6 ) — (9 ) Other (expense)/income, net — (2 ) 78 (71 ) — 5 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (2 ) 417 (90 ) 257 — 582 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes — (146 ) 20 (100 ) — (226 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 350 149 421 — (920 ) — Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income 348 420 350 158 (920 ) 356 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 8 — 8 Net income attributable to controlling interest 348 420 350 150 (920 ) 348 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 232 (24 ) 232 245 (448 ) 237 Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 5 — 5 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 232 (24 ) 232 240 (448 ) 232 Total comprehensive income 580 396 582 403 (1,368 ) 593 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 13 — 13 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 580 $ 396 $ 582 $ 390 $ (1,368 ) $ 580 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 444 $ — $ 446 Trade and other receivables, net — — 480 769 — 1,249 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 5 204 143 — 352 Intercompany receivables 3 1,462 270 87 (1,822 ) — Total current assets 6 1,468 952 1,443 (1,822 ) 2,047 Non-current assets — Property, plant and equipment, net — — 299 162 — 461 Goodwill — — 6,108 2,346 — 8,454 Other intangible assets, net — — 4,553 500 — 5,053 Deferred tax assets 1 — 9 156 — 166 Other non-current assets — 35 334 85 — 454 Equity investment in subsidiaries 3,985 1,270 4,719 — (9,974 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,608 353 138 (9,124 ) — Total assets $ 4,017 $ 11,381 $ 17,327 $ 4,830 $ (20,920 ) $ 16,635 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ — $ 104 $ 420 $ 472 $ — $ 996 Deferred revenues — — 224 121 — 345 Income tax liabilities — — 46 100 — 146 Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 55 245 7 — 307 Intercompany payables — 3 1,554 265 (1,822 ) — Total current liabilities — 162 2,489 965 (1,822 ) 1,794 Non-current liabilities — Long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 8,190 97 17 — 8,304 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 1,314 21 — 1,406 Intercompany loans — — 8,771 353 (9,124 ) — Other non-current liabilities — — 671 245 — 916 Total liabilities — 8,423 13,342 1,601 (10,946 ) 12,420 Total stockholders’ equity 4,017 2,958 3,985 3,031 (9,974 ) 4,017 Noncontrolling interests — — — 198 — 198 Total equity 4,017 2,958 3,985 3,229 (9,974 ) 4,215 Total liabilities and equity $ 4,017 $ 11,381 $ 17,327 $ 4,830 $ (20,920 ) $ 16,635 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet December 31, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ 1 $ 69 $ 584 $ — $ 656 Trade and other receivables, net — — 464 816 — 1,280 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 211 135 — 346 Intercompany receivables 4 1,187 325 155 (1,671 ) — Total current assets 6 1,188 1,069 1,690 (1,671 ) 2,282 Non-current assets — Property, plant and equipment, net — — 309 173 — 482 Goodwill — — 6,100 2,395 — 8,495 Other intangible assets, net — — 4,545 532 — 5,077 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 169 — 170 Other non-current assets — 17 263 80 — 360 Equity investment in subsidiaries 4,213 1,210 4,583 — (10,006 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,608 424 140 (9,197 ) — Total assets $ 4,245 $ 11,023 $ 17,293 $ 5,179 $ (20,874 ) $ 16,866 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ — $ 61 $ 560 $ 520 $ — $ 1,141 Deferred revenues — — 231 130 — 361 Income tax liabilities — — 62 49 — 111 Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 35 44 5 — 84 Intercompany payables — 2 1,345 324 (1,671 ) — Total current liabilities — 98 2,242 1,028 (1,671 ) 1,697 Non-current liabilities — Long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 8,237 101 19 — 8,357 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 1,296 68 — 1,435 Intercompany loans — 62 8,774 361 (9,197 ) — Other non-current liabilities — — 667 267 — 934 Total liabilities — 8,468 13,080 1,743 (10,868 ) 12,423 Total stockholders’ equity 4,245 2,555 4,213 3,238 (10,006 ) 4,245 Noncontrolling interests — — — 198 — 198 Total equity 4,245 2,555 4,213 3,436 (10,006 ) 4,443 Total liabilities and equity $ 4,245 $ 11,023 $ 17,293 $ 5,179 $ (20,874 ) $ 16,866 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (2 ) $ 15 $ 257 $ 242 $ 512 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (11 ) (28 ) (39 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (34 ) (32 ) (66 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (262 ) (43 ) (305 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — — 4 4 Other investing activities — — 8 (5 ) 3 Net cash used in investing activities — — (299 ) (104 ) (403 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 204 — 204 Repayments of debt — (804 ) — (1 ) (805 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 781 — — 781 Increase in other short-term borrowings — — — 1 1 Cash dividends paid to stockholders (370 ) — — — (370 ) Repurchase of common stock (70 ) — — — (70 ) Activity under stock plans 23 — (6 ) — 17 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 4 — — — 4 Capital leases — — (55 ) (5 ) (60 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 416 8 (173 ) (266 ) (15 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 3 (15 ) (30 ) (271 ) (313 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — 1 (7 ) (6 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1 — (71 ) (140 ) (210 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2 1 69 584 656 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 444 $ 446 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (48 ) $ 193 $ 424 $ 235 $ 804 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (573 ) (22 ) (595 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (29 ) (26 ) (55 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (218 ) (46 ) (264 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — 28 — 28 Other investing activities — — (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (793 ) (95 ) (888 ) Financing activities: Repayments of debt — (2,288 ) — (1 ) (2,289 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 2,745 — — 2,745 Decrease in other short-term borrowings — — — (5 ) (5 ) Cash dividends paid to stockholders (353 ) — — — (353 ) Repurchase of common stock (117 ) — — — (117 ) Activity under stock plans 28 — (7 ) — 21 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 5 — — — 5 Capital leases — — (40 ) (2 ) (42 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 481 (632 ) 273 (135 ) (13 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 44 (175 ) 226 (143 ) (48 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (3 ) 43 40 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (4 ) 18 (146 ) 40 (92 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 5 1 219 529 754 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1 $ 19 $ 73 $ 569 $ 662

Background and Basis of Prese_2

Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, contain all the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies, commitments and contingencies and certain other information, refer to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. All amounts are presented in U.S. Dollars (“$”), except for share data or where expressly stated as being in other currencies, e.g., Euros (“€”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nielsen and all subsidiaries and other controlled entities. The Company has evaluated events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2018 for potential recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements and concluded there were no subsequent events that required recognition or disclosure other than those provided.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares of common stock consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of 4,110,836 and 4,141,427 shares of common stock equivalents under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. The effect of 4,105,322 and 4,349,803 shares of common stock equivalents under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nielsen sold $154 million of accounts receivable to third parties and recorded an immaterial loss on the sales to interest expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $73 million and $110 million, respectively, remained outstanding. The sales were accounted for as true sales, without recourse. Nielsen maintains servicing responsibilities of most of the receivables, for which the related costs are not significant. The proceeds of $154 million from the sales were reported as a component of the changes in trade receivables, net within operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
Operations in Argentina	Operations in Argentina Nielsen has operations in both the Buy and Watch segments in Argentina and the functional currency for those operations is the Argentine Peso. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, Argentina’s currency has been considered hyperinflationary since July 1, 2018, and, accordingly, local currency transactions have been denominated in U.S. dollars since July 1, 2018, and will continue to be denominated in U.S. dollars until Argentina’s currency is no longer deemed to be hyperinflationary. Nielsen will continue to assess the appropriate conversion rate based on events in Argentina and Nielsen Argentina operations. This event has had an immaterial impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Recent Accounting _2

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost In March 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized in assets. This ASU is required to be applied retrospectively. As a result of the adoption of this ASU, the Company reclassified $3 million and $8 million from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income, net in its condensed consolidated statement of operations .
Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets	Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets In February 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, “Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets," which clarifies the scope and application of ASC 610-20 on the sale or transfer of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to noncustomers, including partial sales. It requires the application of certain recognition and measurement principles in ASC 606 when derecognizing nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets, and the counterparty is not a customer. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements .
Compensation- Stock Compensation	Compensation- Stock Compensation In May 2017, the FASB issued an ASU, Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718), “Scope of Modification Accounting,” which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The standard provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements
Leases	Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU, “Leases.” The new standard amends the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases currently classified as operating leases and amends disclosure requirements associated with leasing arrangements. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years In 2016, the Company established a cross-functional implementation team consisting of representatives from across all of its business segments. Management utilized a bottoms-up approach to analyze the impact of the standard on our leasing portfolio by reviewing the current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard. In addition, management identified, and is in the process of implementing appropriate changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support the recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While the Company continues to assess the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company expects it will increase assets and liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Income Taxes	Income taxes In February 2018, the FASB issued an ASU, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Comprehensive Income”. The new standard will give companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects caused by the newly-enacted US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. The new standard will take effect for all companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Nielsen is assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment Including by Primary Geographic Markets for Buy and by Major Product for Watch, and by Timing of Revenue Recognition	The table below sets forth the Company’s revenue disaggregated within each segment, including by primary geographic markets for Buy and by major product offerings for Watch and by timing of revenue recognition. (IN MILLIONS) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Buy Segment (primary geographical markets) Developed Markets $ 481 $ 491 $ 1,440 $ 1,472 Emerging Markets 269 297 856 860 Core Buy $ 750 $ 788 $ 2,296 $ 2,332 Corporate $ 5 $ 15 $ 24 $ 51 Buy $ 755 $ 803 $ 2,320 $ 2,383 Watch Segment (major product/service lines) Audience Measurement (Video and Text) $ 607 $ 580 $ 1,815 $ 1,682 Audio 125 127 369 370 Marketing Effectiveness 80 89 250 237 Core Watch $ 812 $ 796 $ 2,434 $ 2,289 Corporate/Other Watch 33 42 103 139 Watch $ 845 $ 838 $ 2,537 $ 2,428 Total Core Buy and Watch $ 1,562 $ 1,584 $ 4,730 $ 4,621 Total $ 1,600 $ 1,641 $ 4,857 $ 4,811 Timing of revenue recognition Products transferred at a point in time $ 140 $ 124 $ 420 $ 343 Products and services transferred over time 1,460 1,517 4,437 4,468 Total $ 1,600 $ 1,641 $ 4,857 $ 4,811
Summary of Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers	The table below sets forth the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers. (IN MILLIONS) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Contract assets $ 285 $ 259 Contract liabilities $ 345 $ 361

Business Acquisitions (Tables)

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Pro Forma Information	The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and Gracenote for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2017, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangible assets, an increase in interest expense from acquisition financing, and certain other adjustments: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (IN MILLIONS) Revenues $ 4,829 Income from continuing operations $ 356

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The table below summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Total Balance, December 31, 2017 $ 2,844 $ 5,651 $ 8,495 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 10 15 25 Effect of foreign currency translation (58 ) (8 ) (66 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 2,796 $ 5,658 $ 8,454
Other Intangible Assets	Other Intangible Assets Gross Amounts Accumulated Amortization September 30, December 31, September 30, December 31, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade names and trademarks $ 1,921 $ 1,921 $ — $ — Amortized intangibles: Trade names and trademarks 139 139 (101 ) (92 ) Customer-related intangibles 3,180 3,174 (1,590 ) (1,463 ) Covenants-not-to-compete 39 39 (37 ) (37 ) Content databases 168 168 (22 ) (12 ) Computer software 3,010 2,681 (1,704 ) (1,498 ) Patents and other 175 171 (125 ) (114 ) Total $ 6,711 $ 6,372 $ (3,579 ) $ (3,216 )

Changes in and Reclassificati_2

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax by Component	The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2017 $ (610 ) $ 10 $ (340 ) $ (940 ) Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (97 ) 18 — (79 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income — (2 ) 12 10 Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income (97 ) 16 12 (69 ) Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1 — — 1 Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders (98 ) 16 12 (70 ) Balance September 30, 2018 $ (708 ) $ 26 $ (328 ) $ (1,010 ) Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2016 $ (856 ) $ (1 ) $ (354 ) $ (1,211 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 224 1 — 225 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 2 10 12 Net current period other comprehensive income 224 3 10 237 Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 5 — — 5 Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders 219 3 10 232 Balance September 30, 2017 $ (637 ) $ 2 $ (344 ) $ (979 )
Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component	The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (2 ) $ 2 Interest (income)/expense (1 ) 1 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes $ (1 ) $ 1 Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 5 $ 4 (a) 1 1 Benefit for income taxes $ 4 $ 3 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 3 $ 4 Net of tax (a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ (3 ) $ 4 Interest (income)/expense (1 ) 2 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes $ (2 ) $ 2 Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 14 $ 13 (a) 2 3 Benefit for income taxes $ 12 $ 10 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 10 $ 12 Net of tax (a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

Restructuring Activities (Table

Restructuring Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities	A summary of the changes in the liabilities for restructuring activities is provided below: Total (IN MILLIONS) Initiatives Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 58 Charges 108 Payments (98 ) Effect of foreign currency translation and other adjustments (1 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 67

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s material financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017: September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) 30 30 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) 40 — 40 — Total $ 72 $ 32 $ 40 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ — — $ — — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 30 30 — — Total $ 30 $ 30 $ — — December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) 33 33 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) 17 — 17 — Total $ 52 $ 35 17 — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ — — $ — — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 33 33 — — Total $ 33 $ 33 $ — — (1) Plan assets are comprised of investments in mutual funds, which are intended to fund liabilities arising from deferred compensation plans. These investments are carried at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices at period end in active markets. These investments are classified as trading securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. (2) Investments in mutual funds are money-market accounts held with the intention of funding certain specific retirement plans. (3) Derivative financial instruments include interest rate swap arrangements recorded at fair value based on externally-developed valuation models that use readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk. (4) The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. A participant’s deferrals are invested in a variety of participant directed stock and bond mutual funds and are classified as trading securities. Changes in the fair value of these securities are measured using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held exclusive of any transaction costs. A corresponding adjustment for changes in fair value of the trading securities is also reflected in the changes in fair value of the deferred compensation obligation.
Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps	As of September 30, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swaps utilized in the management of its interest rate risk: Notional Amount Maturity Date Currency Interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 April 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 June 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 July 2019 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2020 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2021 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2022 US Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 May 2023 US Dollar
Summary of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations	The table below summarizes effect of cash flow hedge accounting on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively: Interest Expense Interest Expense Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest expense (Location in the consolidated statement of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded) $ 99 $ 95 $ 295 $ 277 Amount of (gain)/loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax $ (1 ) $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 2 Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income as a result that a forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, net of tax $ — $ — $ — $ —
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Other Other Current Other Non-Current Other Non-Current Other Current Other Non-Current Non-Current (IN MILLIONS) Assets Assets Liabilities Assets Assets Liabilities Interest rate swaps $ 5 $ 35 $ — $ — $ 17 $ —
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was as follows: Amount of (Gain)/Loss Amount of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from AOCI Recognized in OCI Location of Loss into Income (Effective Portion) Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion) Derivatives in Cash Flow Three Months Ended into Income (Effective Three Months Ended Hedging Relationships September 30, Portion) September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $ (5 ) $ 3 Interest expense $ (2 ) $ 2 The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was as follows: Amount of (Gain)/Loss Amount of Gain Reclassified from AOCI Recognized in OCI Location of Loss into Income (Effective Portion) Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion) Derivatives in Cash Flow Nine Months Ended into Income Nine Months Ended Hedging Relationships September 30, (Effective Portion) September 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $ 26 $ 2 Interest expense $ (3 ) $ 4

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_2

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-Term Debt	Unless otherwise stated, interest rates are as of September 30, 2018. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Weighted Weighted Interest Carrying Fair Interest Carrying Fair (IN MILLIONS) Rate Amount Value Rate Amount Value $2,080 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 3.43%) due 2019 $ — — $ 1,392 1,397 $1,125 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 3.88%) due 2023 1,119 1,124 — — $2,303 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 4.13%) due 2023 2,291 2,294 2,232 2,247 €380 million Senior secured term loan (Euro LIBOR based variable rate of 2.09%) due 2021 — — 450 452 €545 million Senior secured term loan (Euro LIBOR based variable rate of 2.50%) due 2023 632 634 — — $850 million senior secured revolving credit facility (Euro LIBOR or LIBOR based variable rate) due 2023 204 204 — — Total senior secured credit facilities (with weighted-average interest rate) 3.89 % 4,246 4,256 3.39 % 4,074 4,096 $800 million 4.50% senior debenture loan due 2020 796 800 795 809 $625 million 5.50% senior debenture loan due 2021 621 628 620 643 $2,300 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2022 2,290 2,244 2,288 2,362 $500 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2025 496 490 496 518 Total debenture loans (with weighted-average interest rate) 5.22 % 4,203 4,162 5.22 % 4,199 4,332 Other loans 1 1 1 1 Total long-term debt 4.55 % 8,450 8,419 4.32 % 8,274 8,429 Capital lease and other financing obligations 160 167 Bank overdrafts 1 — Total debt and other financing arrangements 8,611 8,441 Less: Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings 307 84 Non-current portion of long-term debt and capital lease and other financing obligations $ 8,304 $ 8,357
Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Annual maturities of Nielsen’s long-term debt are as follows: (IN MILLIONS) For October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 $ 216 2019 45 2020 855 2021 703 2022 2,402 2023 3,735 Thereafter 494 $ 8,450

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock Activity	Common stock activity is as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding Beginning of period 355,944,976 Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans 1,248,323 Employee benefit trust activity 10,177 Repurchases of common stock (2,220,156 ) End of period 354,983,320
Summary of Dividends Declared on Nielsen's Common Stock	The following table represents the cash dividends declared by the Board and paid to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively . Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share February 16, 2017 March 2, 2017 March 16, 2017 $ 0.31 April 24, 2017 June 2, 2017 June 16, 2017 $ 0.34 July 20, 2017 August 24, 2017 September 7, 2017 $ 0.34 October 19, 2017 November 21, 2017 December 5, 2017 $ 0.34 February 18, 2018 March 7, 2018 March 21, 2018 $ 0.34 April 19, 2018 June 6, 2018 June 20, 2018 $ 0.35 July 19, 2018 August 22, 2018 September 5, 2018 $ 0.35
Summary of Approved Authorized Shares for Repurchase	Board Approval Share Repurchase Authorization ($ in millions) July 25, 2013 $ 500 October 23, 2014 $ 1,000 December 11, 2015 $ 500 Total Share Repurchase Authorization $ 2,000
Summary of Open Market Share Repurchases Activity	The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of open market share repurchases and is summarized in the following table: Total Number of Dollar Value of Shares Shares Purchased as that may yet be Total Number Average Part of Publicly Purchased under the of Shares Price Paid Announced Plans Publicly Announced Period Purchased per Share or Programs Plans or Programs As of December 31, 2017 37,206,365 $ 45.74 37,206,365 $ 298,118,746 2018 Activity January 1- 31 — $ — — $ 298,118,746 February 1- 28 187,048 $ 33.31 187,048 $ 291,887,826 March 1- 31 424,324 $ 33.04 424,324 $ 277,868,369 April 1-30 155,878 $ 32.24 155,878 $ 272,843,463 May 1-31 922,862 $ 30.79 922,862 $ 244,424,375 June 1-30 208,510 $ 30.85 208,510 $ 237,992,519 July 1-31 321,534 $ 31.26 321,534 $ 227,942,536 August 1-31 — $ — — $ 227,942,536 September 1-30 — $ — — $ 227,942,536 Total 39,426,521 $ 44.95 39,426,521

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Corporate Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Revenues $ 755 $ 845 $ — $ 1,600 Depreciation and amortization $ 58 $ 115 $ 2 $ 175 Restructuring charges $ 16 $ 4 $ (1 ) $ 19 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2 $ 2 $ (3 ) $ 1 Other items ( 1) $ — $ — $ 15 $ 15 Operating income/(loss) $ 33 $ 256 $ (28 ) $ 261 Business segment income/(loss) ( 2) $ 109 $ 377 $ (15 ) $ 471 Total assets as of September 30, 2018 $ 6,877 $ 9,768 $ (10 ) $ 16,635 (IN MILLIONS) Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 803 $ 838 $ — $ 1,641 Depreciation and amortization $ 53 $ 106 $ 1 $ 160 Restructuring charges $ 4 $ 2 $ 1 $ 7 Stock-based compensation expense $ 3 $ 2 $ 3 $ 8 Other items ( 1) $ — $ — $ 10 $ 10 Operating income/(loss) $ 84 $ 280 $ (30 ) $ 334 Business segment income/(loss) ( 2) $ 144 $ 390 $ (15 ) $ 519 Total assets as of December 31, 2017 $ 6,862 $ 9,911 $ 93 $ 16,866 (IN MILLIONS) Buy Watch Corporate Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Revenues $ 2,320 $ 2,537 $ — $ 4,857 Depreciation and amortization $ 167 $ 332 $ 5 $ 504 Restructuring charges $ 86 $ 18 $ 4 $ 108 Stock-based compensation expense $ 9 $ 7 $ 5 $ 21 Other items (1) $ — $ — $ 33 $ 33 Operating income/(loss) $ 41 $ 738 $ (83 ) $ 696 Business segment income/(loss) (2) $ 303 $ 1,095 $ (36 ) $ 1,362 (IN MILLIONS) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 2,383 $ 2,428 $ — $ 4,811 Depreciation and amortization $ 156 $ 318 $ 3 $ 477 Restructuring charges $ 31 $ 9 $ 8 $ 48 Stock-based compensation expense $ 10 $ 9 $ 16 $ 35 Other items (1) $ — $ — $ 28 $ 28 Operating income/(loss) $ 217 $ 734 $ (91 ) $ 860 Business segment income/(loss) (2) $ 414 $ 1,070 $ (36 ) $ 1,448 (1) Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. (2) The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses business segment income/(loss) to measure performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within its operating segments.

Guarantor Financial Informati_2

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Guarantees [Abstract]
Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 885 $ 715 $ — $ 1,600 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 355 326 — 681 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 221 242 — 464 Depreciation and amortization — — 142 33 — 175 Restructuring charges — — 4 15 — 19 Operating (loss)/income (1 ) — 163 99 — 261 Interest income — 170 10 1 (179 ) 2 Interest expense — (93 ) (176 ) (9 ) 179 (99 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 1 (9 ) — (8 ) Other (expense)/income, net — — (17 ) 18 — 1 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates (1 ) 77 (19 ) 100 — 157 Provision for income taxes — (17 ) (9 ) (33 ) — (59 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 97 47 125 — (269 ) — Net income 96 107 97 67 (269 ) 98 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Net income attributable to controlling interest 96 107 97 65 (269 ) 96 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 5 4 5 (6 ) — 8 Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3 — 3 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 5 4 5 (9 ) — 5 Total comprehensive income 101 111 102 61 (269 ) 106 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 101 $ 111 $ 102 $ 56 $ (269 ) $ 101 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 893 $ 748 $ — $ 1,641 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 355 337 — 692 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 196 251 — 448 Depreciation and amortization — — 126 34 — 160 Restructuring charges — — 2 5 — 7 Operating (loss)/income (1 ) — 214 121 — 334 Interest income — 238 10 — (247 ) 1 Interest expense — (90 ) (241 ) (11 ) 247 (95 ) Other income/(expense), net — — 94 (92 ) — 2 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiaries (1 ) 148 77 18 — 242 Provision for income taxes — (52 ) (37 ) (3 ) — (92 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 147 61 107 — (315 ) — Net income 146 157 147 15 (315 ) 150 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Net income attributable to controlling interest 146 157 147 11 (315 ) 146 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 72 (6 ) 72 69 (135 ) 72 Total comprehensive income 218 151 219 88 (454 ) 222 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 218 $ 151 $ 219 $ 84 $ (454 ) $ 218 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,654 $ 2,203 $ — $ 4,857 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 1,089 1,009 — 2,098 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 3 — 690 758 — 1,451 Depreciation and amortization — — 403 101 — 504 Restructuring charges — — 36 72 — 108 Operating (loss)/income (3 ) — 436 263 — 696 Interest income 1 486 28 5 (514 ) 6 Interest expense — (276 ) (504 ) (29 ) 514 (295 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net — — — (12 ) — (12 ) Other (expense)/income, net — (7 ) 103 (99 ) — (3 ) (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (2 ) 203 63 128 — 392 Provision for income taxes — (43 ) (29 ) (70 ) — (142 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 242 132 208 — (582 ) — Equity in net loss of affiliates — — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income 240 292 242 57 (582 ) 249 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Net income attributable to controlling interest 240 292 242 48 (582 ) 240 Total other comprehensive (loss)/income (70 ) 25 (70 ) (98 ) 144 (69 ) Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 1 — 1 Total other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to controlling interests (70 ) 25 (70 ) (99 ) 144 (70 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 170 317 172 (41 ) (438 ) 180 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 10 — 10 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 170 $ 317 $ 172 $ (51 ) $ (438 ) $ 170 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,641 $ 2,170 $ — $ 4,811 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 1,050 981 — 2,031 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 3 — 685 707 — 1,395 Depreciation and amortization — — 384 93 — 477 Restructuring charges — — 20 28 — 48 Operating (loss)/income (3 ) — 502 361 — 860 Interest income 1 682 27 3 (710 ) 3 Interest expense — (263 ) (694 ) (30 ) 710 (277 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net — — (3 ) (6 ) — (9 ) Other (expense)/income, net — (2 ) 78 (71 ) — 5 (Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (2 ) 417 (90 ) 257 — 582 (Provision)/benefit for income taxes — (146 ) 20 (100 ) — (226 ) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 350 149 421 — (920 ) — Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income 348 420 350 158 (920 ) 356 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 8 — 8 Net income attributable to controlling interest 348 420 350 150 (920 ) 348 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 232 (24 ) 232 245 (448 ) 237 Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 5 — 5 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 232 (24 ) 232 240 (448 ) 232 Total comprehensive income 580 396 582 403 (1,368 ) 593 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 13 — 13 Total comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest $ 580 $ 396 $ 582 $ 390 $ (1,368 ) $ 580
Consolidating Balance Sheet	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 444 $ — $ 446 Trade and other receivables, net — — 480 769 — 1,249 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 5 204 143 — 352 Intercompany receivables 3 1,462 270 87 (1,822 ) — Total current assets 6 1,468 952 1,443 (1,822 ) 2,047 Non-current assets — Property, plant and equipment, net — — 299 162 — 461 Goodwill — — 6,108 2,346 — 8,454 Other intangible assets, net — — 4,553 500 — 5,053 Deferred tax assets 1 — 9 156 — 166 Other non-current assets — 35 334 85 — 454 Equity investment in subsidiaries 3,985 1,270 4,719 — (9,974 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,608 353 138 (9,124 ) — Total assets $ 4,017 $ 11,381 $ 17,327 $ 4,830 $ (20,920 ) $ 16,635 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ — $ 104 $ 420 $ 472 $ — $ 996 Deferred revenues — — 224 121 — 345 Income tax liabilities — — 46 100 — 146 Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 55 245 7 — 307 Intercompany payables — 3 1,554 265 (1,822 ) — Total current liabilities — 162 2,489 965 (1,822 ) 1,794 Non-current liabilities — Long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 8,190 97 17 — 8,304 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 1,314 21 — 1,406 Intercompany loans — — 8,771 353 (9,124 ) — Other non-current liabilities — — 671 245 — 916 Total liabilities — 8,423 13,342 1,601 (10,946 ) 12,420 Total stockholders’ equity 4,017 2,958 3,985 3,031 (9,974 ) 4,017 Noncontrolling interests — — — 198 — 198 Total equity 4,017 2,958 3,985 3,229 (9,974 ) 4,215 Total liabilities and equity $ 4,017 $ 11,381 $ 17,327 $ 4,830 $ (20,920 ) $ 16,635 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet December 31, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ 1 $ 69 $ 584 $ — $ 656 Trade and other receivables, net — — 464 816 — 1,280 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 211 135 — 346 Intercompany receivables 4 1,187 325 155 (1,671 ) — Total current assets 6 1,188 1,069 1,690 (1,671 ) 2,282 Non-current assets — Property, plant and equipment, net — — 309 173 — 482 Goodwill — — 6,100 2,395 — 8,495 Other intangible assets, net — — 4,545 532 — 5,077 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 169 — 170 Other non-current assets — 17 263 80 — 360 Equity investment in subsidiaries 4,213 1,210 4,583 — (10,006 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,608 424 140 (9,197 ) — Total assets $ 4,245 $ 11,023 $ 17,293 $ 5,179 $ (20,874 ) $ 16,866 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ — $ 61 $ 560 $ 520 $ — $ 1,141 Deferred revenues — — 231 130 — 361 Income tax liabilities — — 62 49 — 111 Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 35 44 5 — 84 Intercompany payables — 2 1,345 324 (1,671 ) — Total current liabilities — 98 2,242 1,028 (1,671 ) 1,697 Non-current liabilities — Long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 8,237 101 19 — 8,357 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 1,296 68 — 1,435 Intercompany loans — 62 8,774 361 (9,197 ) — Other non-current liabilities — — 667 267 — 934 Total liabilities — 8,468 13,080 1,743 (10,868 ) 12,423 Total stockholders’ equity 4,245 2,555 4,213 3,238 (10,006 ) 4,245 Noncontrolling interests — — — 198 — 198 Total equity 4,245 2,555 4,213 3,436 (10,006 ) 4,443 Total liabilities and equity $ 4,245 $ 11,023 $ 17,293 $ 5,179 $ (20,874 ) $ 16,866
Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (2 ) $ 15 $ 257 $ 242 $ 512 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (11 ) (28 ) (39 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (34 ) (32 ) (66 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (262 ) (43 ) (305 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — — 4 4 Other investing activities — — 8 (5 ) 3 Net cash used in investing activities — — (299 ) (104 ) (403 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 204 — 204 Repayments of debt — (804 ) — (1 ) (805 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 781 — — 781 Increase in other short-term borrowings — — — 1 1 Cash dividends paid to stockholders (370 ) — — — (370 ) Repurchase of common stock (70 ) — — — (70 ) Activity under stock plans 23 — (6 ) — 17 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 4 — — — 4 Capital leases — — (55 ) (5 ) (60 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 416 8 (173 ) (266 ) (15 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 3 (15 ) (30 ) (271 ) (313 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — 1 (7 ) (6 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1 — (71 ) (140 ) (210 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2 1 69 584 656 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3 $ 1 $ (2 ) $ 444 $ 446 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (48 ) $ 193 $ 424 $ 235 $ 804 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (573 ) (22 ) (595 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (29 ) (26 ) (55 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (218 ) (46 ) (264 ) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets — — 28 — 28 Other investing activities — — (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (793 ) (95 ) (888 ) Financing activities: Repayments of debt — (2,288 ) — (1 ) (2,289 ) Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 2,745 — — 2,745 Decrease in other short-term borrowings — — — (5 ) (5 ) Cash dividends paid to stockholders (353 ) — — — (353 ) Repurchase of common stock (117 ) — — — (117 ) Activity under stock plans 28 — (7 ) — 21 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 5 — — — 5 Capital leases — — (40 ) (2 ) (42 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 481 (632 ) 273 (135 ) (13 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 44 (175 ) 226 (143 ) (48 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (3 ) 43 40 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (4 ) 18 (146 ) 40 (92 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 5 1 219 529 754 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1 $ 19 $ 73 $ 569 $ 662

Background and Basis of Prese_3

Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Countryshares	Sep. 30, 2017shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)SegmentCountryshares	Sep. 30, 2017shares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment			2
Number of countries in which entity operates | Country	100		100
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of earning per share under compensation plan | shares	4,110,836	4,141,427	4,105,322	4,349,803
Accounts receivable sold to third parties			$ 154
Proceed from sale of accounts receivable			154
Accounts receivable outstanding	$ 73		$ 73		$ 110

Summary of Recent Accounting _3

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
ASU 2015-04
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Impact of reclassification from selling, general and administrative expenses to other income	$ 3	$ 8

Revenue Recognition - Summary o

Revenue Recognition - Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment Including by Primary Geographic Markets for Buy and by Major Product for Watch, and by Timing of Revenue Recognition (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,600	$ 1,641	$ 4,857	$ 4,811
Operating Segments | Products Transferred at a Point in Time
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	140	124	420	343
Operating Segments | Products and Services Transferred Over Time
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,460	1,517	4,437	4,468
Operating Segments | Core Buy and Watch
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,562	1,584	4,730	4,621
Buy | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	755	803	2,320	2,383
Buy | Operating Segments | Core Buy
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	750	788	2,296	2,332
Buy | Operating Segments | Developed Markets
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	481	491	1,440	1,472
Buy | Operating Segments | Emerging Markets
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	269	297	856	860
Buy | Corporate And Eliminations
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	5	15	24	51
Watch | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	845	838	2,537	2,428
Watch | Operating Segments | Core Watch
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	812	796	2,434	2,289
Watch | Operating Segments | Audience Measurement
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	607	580	1,815	1,682
Watch | Operating Segments | Audio
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	125	127	369	370
Watch | Operating Segments | Marketing Effectiveness
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	80	89	250	237
Watch | Corporate And Eliminations
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 33	$ 42	$ 103	$ 139

Revenue Recognition - Summary_2

Revenue Recognition - Summary of Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 285	$ 259
Contract liabilities	$ 345	$ 361

Revenue Recognition - Additiona

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues [Abstract]
Increase in contract with customer asset		$ 232,000,000
Contract with customer asset offset		209,000,000
Movement in contract with customer liability		289,000,000
Contract with customer liability offset	$ 33,000,000	310,000,000
Revenue, remaining performance obligation		$ 6,800,000,000
Revenue, remaining performance obligations, percentage	62.00%	62.00%
Deferred costs capitalized	$ 26,000,000	$ 26,000,000	$ 37,000,000
Amortization of deferred costs	$ 8,000,000	15,000,000
Impairment loss		$ 0	$ 0

Business Acquisitions - Additio

Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 01, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Gracenote
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Name of acquired entity	Gracenote Inc., Gracenote Canada, Inc., Gracenote Netherlands Holdings B.V., Tribune Digital Ventures, LLC, and Tribune International Holdco, LLC (each, a “Gracenote Company” and together “Gracenote”)
Percentage ownership interest acquired	100.00%
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 585
Acquisition Date	Feb. 1, 2017
Acquisition related expenses		$ 0		$ 6
Other acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired			$ 39	$ 28

Business Acquisitions - Pro For

Business Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 4,829
Income from continuing operations	$ 356

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	$ 8,495
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	25
Effect of foreign currency translation	(66)
Balance ending	8,454
Buy
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	2,844
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	10
Effect of foreign currency translation	(58)
Balance ending	2,796
Watch
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	5,651
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	15
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8)
Balance ending	$ 5,658

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018ReportingUnit	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2017
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	$ 53			$ 53
Amortization expense, intangible assets	125	$ 114		362	$ 341
Amortization expense, computer software	$ 73	$ 64		$ 206	$ 190
Number of reporting unit of fair value exceeded its carrying value | ReportingUnit			1
Percentage movement in long-term growth rate and discount rate assumptions				1.00%
Maximum
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Reporting unit percentage of fair value exceeded its carrying value			10.00%
Minimum
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Reporting unit percentage of fair value exceeded its carrying value						20.00%

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	$ 6,711	$ 6,372
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(3,579)	(3,216)
Trade names and trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	139	139
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(101)	(92)
Customer - related intangibles
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	3,180	3,174
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(1,590)	(1,463)
Covenants-not-to-compete
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	39	39
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(37)	(37)
Content database
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	168	168
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(22)	(12)
Computer software
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	3,010	2,681
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(1,704)	(1,498)
Patents and other
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	175	171
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(125)	(114)
Trade names and trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles, Gross Amounts	$ 1,921	$ 1,921

Changes in and Reclassificati_3

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			$ 4,443
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	$ 3	$ 4	10	$ 12
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	8	72	(69)	237
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3		1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5		(70)	232
Balance	4,215		4,215
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(610)	(856)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(97)	224
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(97)	224
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(98)	219
Balance	(708)	(637)	(708)	(637)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			10	(1)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			18	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income			(2)	2
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			16	3
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			16	3
Balance	26	2	26	2
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(340)	(354)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income	4	3	12	10
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			12	10
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			12	10
Balance	(328)	(344)	(328)	(344)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(940)	(1,211)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications			(79)	225
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income			10	12
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(69)	237
Net current period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(70)	232
Balance	$ (1,010)	$ (979)	$ (1,010)	$ (979)

Changes in and Reclassificati_4

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive 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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes		$ (59)	$ (92)	$ (142)	$ (226)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(96)	(146)	(240)	(348)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		3	4	10	12
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders				(2)	2
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest (income)/expense		(2)	2	(3)	4
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes		(1)	1	(1)	2
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		(1)	1	(2)	2
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Actuarial loss, before Tax	[1]	5	4	14	13
Benefit for income taxes		1	1	2	3
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders		$ 4	$ 3	$ 12	$ 10
[1]	This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

Restructuring Activities - Summ

Restructuring Activities - Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			$ 58
Charges	$ 19	$ 7	108	$ 48
Payments			(98)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other adjustments			(1)
Ending Balance	$ 67		$ 67

Restructuring Activities - Addi

Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	$ 19	$ 7	$ 108	$ 48
Restructuring reserve	67		67		$ 58
Restructuring actions for remaining liabilities, Current	$ 56		$ 56

Fair Value Measurements - Finan

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Asset		$ 72	$ 52
Liabilities:
Liabilities		30	33
Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Assets:
Asset	[1]	40	17
Deferred Compensation Liabilities
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[2]	30	33
Level 1
Assets:
Asset		32	35
Liabilities:
Liabilities		30	33
Level 1 | Deferred Compensation Liabilities
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[2]	30	33
Level 2
Assets:
Asset		40	17
Level 2 | Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Assets:
Asset	[1]	40	17
Plan Assets for Deferred Compensation
Assets:
Asset	[3]	30	33
Plan Assets for Deferred Compensation | Level 1
Assets:
Asset	[3]	30	33
Investment In Mutual Funds
Assets:
Asset	[4]	2	2
Investment In Mutual Funds | Level 1
Assets:
Asset	[4]	$ 2	$ 2
[1]	Derivative financial instruments include interest rate swap arrangements recorded at fair value based on externally-developed valuation models that use readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk.
[2]	The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. A participant’s deferrals are invested in a variety of participant directed stock and bond mutual funds and are classified as trading securities. Changes in the fair value of these securities are measured using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held exclusive of any transaction costs. A corresponding adjustment for changes in fair value of the trading securities is also reflected in the changes in fair value of the deferred compensation obligation.
[3]	Plan assets are comprised of investments in mutual funds, which are intended to fund liabilities arising from deferred compensation plans. These investments are carried at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices at period end in active markets. These investments are classified as trading securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
[4]	Investments in mutual funds are money-market accounts held with the intention of funding certain specific retirement plans.

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Pre-tax gains from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense expected to be recognized in next twelve months	$ 16,000,000
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on May 2023
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments	$ 250,000,000
Interest rate swap maturity term	5 years
Variable interest rate	2.72%
Foreign Currency Exchange Contract
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments	$ (1,000,000)	$ 0
Notional amounts of outstanding derivative financial instruments	$ 84,000,000		$ 74,000,000

Fair Value Measurements - Outst

Fair Value Measurements - Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on April 2019
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Maturity Date	Apr. 1, 2019
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on June 2019
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Jun. 1, 2019
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on July 2019
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2019
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on July 2020
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2020
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on July 2020
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2020
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on October 2020
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Oct. 1, 2020
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on October 2021
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Oct. 1, 2021
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on July 2022
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2022
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on May 2023
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	May 1, 2023

Fair Value Measurements - Summa

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) - Interest Expense - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest expense (Location in the consolidated statement of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded)	$ 99	$ 95	$ 295	$ 277
Amount of (gain)/loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax	$ (1)	$ 1	$ (2)	$ 2

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - Interest Rate Swap Arrangements - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Current Assets
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5
Other Non- Current Assets
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets	$ 35	$ 17

Fair Value Measurements - Deriv

Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in OCI Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ (5)	$ 3	$ 26	$ 2
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ (2)	$ 2	$ (3)	$ 4

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_3

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	4.55%	4.32%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 8,450	$ 8,274
Capital lease and other financing obligations, Carrying Amount	160	167
Bank overdrafts	1
Total debt and other financing arrangements	8,611	8,441
Less: Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings	307	84
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	8,304	8,357
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 8,419	$ 8,429
Senior secured credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	3.89%	3.39%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 4,246	$ 4,074
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 4,256	$ 4,096
Debenture loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	5.22%	5.22%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 4,203	$ 4,199
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	4,162	4,332
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2019 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.43%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount		1,392
Total long-term debt, Fair Value		1,397
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.88%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,119
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	1,124
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 4.13%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	2,291	2,232
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	2,294	2,247
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	632
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	634
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2021 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.09%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount		450
Total long-term debt, Fair Value		452
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor or Libor based variable rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	204
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	204
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	796	795
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	800	809
Senior debenture loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	621	620
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	628	643
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	2,290	2,288
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	2,244	2,362
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	496	496
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	490	518
Other Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1	1
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 1	$ 1

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_4

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€)
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2019 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.43%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 2,080	$ 2,080
Debt instrument, variable rate	3.43%	3.43%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,019	2,019
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.88%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 1,125	$ 1,125
Debt instrument, variable rate	3.88%	3.88%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,023	2,023
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 4.13%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 2,303	$ 2,303
Debt instrument, variable rate	4.13%	4.13%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,023	2,023
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 545	€ 545
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.50%	2.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,023	2,023
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2021 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.09%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 380	€ 380
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.09%	2.09%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,021	2,021
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor or Libor based variable rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 850	$ 850
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,023	2,023
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 800	$ 800
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,020	2,020
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Senior debenture loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 625	$ 625
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,021	2,021
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 2,300	$ 2,300
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,022	2,022
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 500	$ 500
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,025	2,025
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_5

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
For October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018	$ 216
2,019	45
2,020	855
2,021	703
2,022	2,402
2,023	3,735
Thereafter	494
Total	$ 8,450	$ 8,274

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_6

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Wrote-off certain previously capitalized deferred financing fees		$ 2,000,000
Debt refinancing costs		$ 5,000,000
Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 850,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jul. 9, 2023
Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	0.25%
Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum | Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.25%
Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.00%
Tranche A Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum | Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.00%
Class A Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 1,125,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jul. 9, 2023
Original principal amount repayment term		The new Class A Term Loans will mature in full on July 9, 2023 and are required to be repaid in quarterly installments in an aggregate amount equal to 0.63% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the first eight quarters following the effective date of the Amendment Agreement, 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the subsequent eight quarters and 2.50% of the original principal amount of the Class A Term Loans for each of the subsequent three quarters, with the balance payable on July 9, 2023. The new Class B-2 Euro Term Loans will mature in full on October 4, 2023
Class A Term Loans | Minimum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	0.25%
Class A Term Loans | Minimum | Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.25%
Class A Term Loans | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.00%
Class A Term Loans | Maximum | Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.00%
Class A Term Loans | Repayment on Each of First Eight Quarters
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount repaid	0.63%
Class A Term Loans | Repayment on Each of Subsequent Eight Quarters
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount repaid	1.25%
Class A Term Loans | Repayment on Each of Subsequent Three Quarters
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original principal amount repaid	2.50%
Class B-2 Euro Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 545,245,518
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 4, 2023
Original principal amount repaid	0.25%
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.50%
Class B-4 Term Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 75,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 4, 2023
Original principal amount repaid	0.25%
Class B-4 Term Loans | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.00%
Class B-4 Term Loans | Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.00%

Stockholders' Equity - Common S

Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock Activity (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018shares
Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding
Beginning of period	355,944,976
Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans	1,248,323
Employee benefit trust activity	10,177
Repurchases of common stock	(2,220,156)
End of period	354,983,320

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Dividends Paid (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 1.04	$ 0.99
Installment One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date			Feb. 18, 2018		Feb. 16, 2017
Record Date			Mar. 7, 2018		Mar. 2, 2017
Payment Date			Mar. 21, 2018		Mar. 16, 2017
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.34		$ 0.31
Installment Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date			Apr. 19, 2018		Apr. 24, 2017
Record Date			Jun. 6, 2018		Jun. 2, 2017
Payment Date			Jun. 20, 2018		Jun. 16, 2017
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.35		$ 0.34
Installment Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date			Jul. 19, 2018		Jul. 20, 2017
Record Date			Aug. 22, 2018		Aug. 24, 2017
Payment Date			Sep. 5, 2018		Sep. 7, 2017
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.35		$ 0.34
Installment Four
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date					Oct. 19, 2017
Record Date					Nov. 21, 2017
Payment Date					Dec. 5, 2017
Dividend Per Share					$ 0.34

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Oct. 18, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	May 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 11, 2015	Oct. 23, 2014	Jul. 25, 2013
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share								$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 1.04	$ 0.99
Cost of treasury stock								$ 2,000,000,000		$ 2,000,000,000			$ 500,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Cumulative shares repurchased								39,426,521		39,426,521		37,206,365
Average price of common stock purchased		$ 31.26	$ 30.85	$ 30.79	$ 32.24	$ 33.04	$ 33.31			$ 44.95		$ 45.74
Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock								$ 1,772,000,000		$ 1,772,000,000
Maximum
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Cost of treasury stock								$ 2,000,000,000		$ 2,000,000,000
Subsequent Event
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Oct. 18, 2018
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.35
Cash dividend, date to be Paid	Dec. 5, 2018
Cash dividend, recorded date	Nov. 21, 2018

Stockholders' Equity - Summary

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Approved Authorized Shares for Repurchase Program (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 11, 2015	Oct. 23, 2014	Jul. 25, 2013
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Cost of treasury stock	$ 2,000,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 500,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Open Mar

Stockholders' Equity - Open Market Share Repurchases Activity (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended						9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	May 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Total Number of Shares Purchased, beginning balance							37,206,365
Number of Shares Purchased	321,534	208,510	922,862	155,878	424,324	187,048
Total Number of Shares Purchased, ending balance							39,426,521	37,206,365
Average price of common stock purchased	$ 31.26	$ 30.85	$ 30.79	$ 32.24	$ 33.04	$ 33.31	$ 44.95	$ 45.74
Publicly Announced Plans Or Programs
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Total Number of Shares Purchased, beginning balance							37,206,365
Number of Shares Purchased	321,534	208,510	922,862	155,878	424,324	187,048
Total Number of Shares Purchased, ending balance							39,426,521	37,206,365
Dollar Value of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	$ 227,942,536	$ 237,992,519	$ 244,424,375	$ 272,843,463	$ 277,868,369	$ 291,887,826	$ 227,942,536	$ 298,118,746	$ 227,942,536	$ 298,118,746

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rates	38.00%	38.00%	36.00%	39.00%
U.S. federal corporate income tax rate			21.00%		35.00%
Liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits					$ 452
Scenario, Forecast
Income Tax [Line Items]
Liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits						$ 456

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Segments - Business Segment Inf

Segments - Business Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 1,600	$ 1,641	$ 4,857	$ 4,811
Depreciation and amortization		175	160	504	477
Restructuring charges		19	7	108	48
Stock-based compensation expense		1	8	21	35
Other items	[1]	15	10	33	28
Operating income/(loss)		261	334	696	860
Business segment income/(loss)	[2]	471	519	1,362	1,448
Total assets		16,635		16,635		$ 16,866
Operating Segments | Buy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		755	803	2,320	2,383
Depreciation and amortization		58	53	167	156
Restructuring charges		16	4	86	31
Stock-based compensation expense		2	3	9	10
Operating income/(loss)		33	84	41	217
Business segment income/(loss)	[2]	109	144	303	414
Total assets		6,877		6,877		6,862
Operating Segments | Watch
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		845	838	2,537	2,428
Depreciation and amortization		115	106	332	318
Restructuring charges		4	2	18	9
Stock-based compensation expense		2	2	7	9
Operating income/(loss)		256	280	738	734
Business segment income/(loss)	[2]	377	390	1,095	1,070
Total assets		9,768		9,768		9,911
Corporate And Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization		2	1	5	3
Restructuring charges		(1)	1	4	8
Stock-based compensation expense		(3)	3	5	16
Other items	[1]	15	10	33	28
Operating income/(loss)		(28)	(30)	(83)	(91)
Business segment income/(loss)	[2]	(15)	(15)	(36)	(36)
Total assets		(10)		(10)		$ 93
Corporate And Eliminations | Buy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		5	15	24	51
Corporate And Eliminations | Watch
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 33	$ 42	$ 103	$ 139
[1]	Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.
[2]	The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses business segment income/(loss) to measure performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within its operating segments.

Guarantor Financial Informati_3

Guarantor Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsidiaries of Nielsen
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in subsidiaries	100.00%

Guarantor Financial Informati_4

Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,600	$ 1,641	$ 4,857	$ 4,811
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	681	692	2,098	2,031
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	464	448	1,451	1,395
Depreciation and amortization	175	160	504	477
Restructuring charges	19	7	108	48
Operating income	261	334	696	860
Interest income	2	1	6	3
Interest expense	(99)	(95)	(295)	(277)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	(8)		(12)	(9)
Other (expense)/income, net	1	2	(3)	5
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	157	242	392	582
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes	(59)	(92)	(142)	(226)
Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates			(1)
Net income	98	150	249	356
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	4	9	8
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	96	146	240	348
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	8	72	(69)	237
Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3		1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5		(70)	232
Total comprehensive income	106	222	180	593
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	4	10	13
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	101	218	170	580
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	1	1	3	3
Operating income	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Interest income			1	1
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	(1)	(1)	(2)	(2)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	97	147	242	350
Net income	96	146	240	348
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	96	146	240	348
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	5	72	(70)	232
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5		(70)	232
Total comprehensive income	101	218	170	580
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	101	218	170	580
Issuers
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Interest income	170	238	486	682
Interest expense	(93)	(90)	(276)	(263)
Other (expense)/income, net			(7)	(2)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	77	148	203	417
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes	(17)	(52)	(43)	(146)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	47	61	132	149
Net income	107	157	292	420
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	107	157	292	420
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	4	(6)	25	(24)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	4		25	(24)
Total comprehensive income	111	151	317	396
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	111	151	317	396
Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	885	893	2,654	2,641
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	355	355	1,089	1,050
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	221	196	690	685
Depreciation and amortization	142	126	403	384
Restructuring charges	4	2	36	20
Operating income	163	214	436	502
Interest income	10	10	28	27
Interest expense	(176)	(241)	(504)	(694)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	1			(3)
Other (expense)/income, net	(17)	94	103	78
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	(19)	77	63	(90)
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes	(9)	(37)	(29)	20
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	125	107	208	421
Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates				(1)
Net income	97	147	242	350
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	97	147	242	350
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	5	72	(70)	232
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	5		(70)	232
Total comprehensive income	102	219	172	582
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	102	219	172	582
Non-Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	715	748	2,203	2,170
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	326	337	1,009	981
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	242	251	758	707
Depreciation and amortization	33	34	101	93
Restructuring charges	15	5	72	28
Operating income	99	121	263	361
Interest income	1		5	3
Interest expense	(9)	(11)	(29)	(30)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	(9)		(12)	(6)
Other (expense)/income, net	18	(92)	(99)	(71)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates	100	18	128	257
(Provision)/benefit for income taxes	(33)	(3)	(70)	(100)
Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates			(1)	1
Net income	67	15	57	158
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	4	9	8
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	65	11	48	150
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(6)	69	(98)	245
Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3		1	5
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(9)		(99)	240
Total comprehensive income	61	88	(41)	403
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	4	10	13
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	56	84	(51)	390
Consolidation Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Interest income	(179)	(247)	(514)	(710)
Interest expense	179	247	514	710
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	(269)	(315)	(582)	(920)
Net income	(269)	(315)	(582)	(920)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	(269)	(315)	(582)	(920)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		(135)	144	(448)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			144	(448)
Total comprehensive income	(269)	(454)	(438)	(1,368)
Total comprehensive income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ (269)	$ (454)	$ (438)	$ (1,368)

Guarantor Financial Informati_5

Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 446	$ 656	$ 662	$ 754
Trade and other receivables, net	1,249	1,280
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	352	346
Total current assets	2,047	2,282
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	461	482
Goodwill	8,454	8,495
Other intangible assets, net	5,053	5,077
Deferred tax assets	166	170
Other non-current assets	454	360
Total assets	16,635	16,866
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	996	1,141
Deferred revenues	345	361
Income tax liabilities	146	111
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	307	84
Total current liabilities	1,794	1,697
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	8,304	8,357
Deferred tax liabilities	1,406	1,435
Other non-current liabilities	916	934
Total liabilities	12,420	12,423
Total stockholders’ equity	4,017	4,245
Noncontrolling interests	198	198
Total equity	4,215	4,443
Total liabilities and equity	16,635	16,866
Parent
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	3	2	1	5
Intercompany receivables	3	4
Total current assets	6	6
Non-current assets
Deferred tax assets	1	1
Equity investment in subsidiaries	3,985	4,213
Intercompany loans	25	25
Total assets	4,017	4,245
Non-current liabilities
Total stockholders’ equity	4,017	4,245
Total equity	4,017	4,245
Total liabilities and equity	4,017	4,245
Issuers
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1	1	19	1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5
Intercompany receivables	1,462	1,187
Total current assets	1,468	1,188
Non-current assets
Other non-current assets	35	17
Equity investment in subsidiaries	1,270	1,210
Intercompany loans	8,608	8,608
Total assets	11,381	11,023
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	104	61
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	55	35
Intercompany payables	3	2
Total current liabilities	162	98
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	8,190	8,237
Deferred tax liabilities	71	71
Intercompany loans		62
Total liabilities	8,423	8,468
Total stockholders’ equity	2,958	2,555
Total equity	2,958	2,555
Total liabilities and equity	11,381	11,023
Guarantor
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	(2)	69	73	219
Trade and other receivables, net	480	464
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	204	211
Intercompany receivables	270	325
Total current assets	952	1,069
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	299	309
Goodwill	6,108	6,100
Other intangible assets, net	4,553	4,545
Deferred tax assets	9
Other non-current assets	334	263
Equity investment in subsidiaries	4,719	4,583
Intercompany loans	353	424
Total assets	17,327	17,293
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	420	560
Deferred revenues	224	231
Income tax liabilities	46	62
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	245	44
Intercompany payables	1,554	1,345
Total current liabilities	2,489	2,242
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	97	101
Deferred tax liabilities	1,314	1,296
Intercompany loans	8,771	8,774
Other non-current liabilities	671	667
Total liabilities	13,342	13,080
Total stockholders’ equity	3,985	4,213
Total equity	3,985	4,213
Total liabilities and equity	17,327	17,293
Non-Guarantor
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	444	584	$ 569	$ 529
Trade and other receivables, net	769	816
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	143	135
Intercompany receivables	87	155
Total current assets	1,443	1,690
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	162	173
Goodwill	2,346	2,395
Other intangible assets, net	500	532
Deferred tax assets	156	169
Other non-current assets	85	80
Intercompany loans	138	140
Total assets	4,830	5,179
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	472	520
Deferred revenues	121	130
Income tax liabilities	100	49
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings	7	5
Intercompany payables	265	324
Total current liabilities	965	1,028
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	17	19
Deferred tax liabilities	21	68
Intercompany loans	353	361
Other non-current liabilities	245	267
Total liabilities	1,601	1,743
Total stockholders’ equity	3,031	3,238
Noncontrolling interests	198	198
Total equity	3,229	3,436
Total liabilities and equity	4,830	5,179
Consolidation Eliminations
Current assets
Intercompany receivables	(1,822)	(1,671)
Total current assets	(1,822)	(1,671)
Non-current assets
Equity investment in subsidiaries	(9,974)	(10,006)
Intercompany loans	(9,124)	(9,197)
Total assets	(20,920)	(20,874)
Current liabilities
Intercompany payables	(1,822)	(1,671)
Total current liabilities	(1,822)	(1,671)
Non-current liabilities
Intercompany loans	(9,124)	(9,197)
Total liabilities	(10,946)	(10,868)
Total stockholders’ equity	(9,974)	(10,006)
Total equity	(9,974)	(10,006)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (20,920)	$ (20,874)

Guarantor Financial Informati_6

Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 512	$ 804
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(39)	(595)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(66)	(55)
Additions to intangible assets	(305)	(264)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	4	28
Other investing activities	3	(2)
Net cash used in investing activities	(403)	(888)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	204
Repayment of debt	(805)	(2,289)
Proceeds from issuances of debt, net of issuance costs	781	2,745
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings	1	(5)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(370)	(353)
Repurchase of common stock	(70)	(117)
Activity under stock plans	17	21
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4	5
Capital leases	(60)	(42)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	(15)	(13)
Net cash used in financing activities	(313)	(48)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6)	40
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(210)	(92)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	656	754
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	446	662
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2)	(48)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(370)	(353)
Repurchase of common stock	(70)	(117)
Activity under stock plans	23	28
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4	5
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	416	481
Net cash used in financing activities	3	44
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	1	(4)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2	5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3	1
Issuers
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	15	193
Financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(804)	(2,288)
Proceeds from issuances of debt, net of issuance costs	781	2,745
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	8	(632)
Net cash used in financing activities	(15)	(175)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		18
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1	1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1	19
Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	257	424
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(11)	(573)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(34)	(29)
Additions to intangible assets	(262)	(218)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets		28
Other investing activities	8	(1)
Net cash used in investing activities	(299)	(793)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	204
Activity under stock plans	(6)	(7)
Capital leases	(55)	(40)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	(173)	273
Net cash used in financing activities	(30)	226
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1	(3)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(71)	(146)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	69	219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	(2)	73
Non-Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	242	235
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(28)	(22)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(32)	(26)
Additions to intangible assets	(43)	(46)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	4
Other investing activities	(5)	(1)
Net cash used in investing activities	(104)	(95)
Financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(1)	(1)
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings	1	(5)
Capital leases	(5)	(2)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	(266)	(135)
Net cash used in financing activities	(271)	(143)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	43
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(140)	40
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	584	529
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 444	$ 569