Nielsen (NLSN) 10-Q 5 Aug 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Title of 12(b) Security	Ordinary shares, par value €0.07 per share
Trading Symbol	NLSN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Registrant Name	Nielsen Holdings plc
Entity Central Index Key	0001492633
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1225347
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-35042
Entity Address, Address Line One	85 Broad Street
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10004
City Area Code	646
Local Phone Number	654-5000
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	X0
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	356,753,964
Other Address
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	Nielsen House
Entity Address, City or Town	Oxford
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	OX4 2WB
City Area Code	646
Local Phone Number	654-5000
Entity Address, Address Line Two	John Smith Drive
Entity Address, Country	GB

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,496	$ 1,628	$ 3,055	$ 3,191
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	664	699	1,385	1,394
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	451	483	966	963
Depreciation and amortization	224	185	438	364
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	45		45
Restructuring charges	84	12	95	47
Operating income/(loss)	28	249	126	423
Interest income		1	1	3
Interest expense	(91)	(100)	(185)	(199)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	3	(1)	(3)	(4)
Other income/(expense), net	(4)		(5)	5
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	(64)	149	(66)	228
Benefit/(provision) for income taxes	38	(23)	27	(55)
Net income/(loss)	(26)	126	(39)	173
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	3	9	7
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$ (30)	$ 123	$ (48)	$ 166
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, basic
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ 0.35	$ (0.13)	$ 0.47
Net income/(loss) per share of common stock, diluted
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ 0.34	$ (0.13)	$ 0.47
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic	356,672,845	355,630,327	356,532,069	355,539,038
Dilutive shares of common stock		997,381		954,854
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted	356,672,845	356,627,708	356,532,069	356,493,892
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.06	$ 0.35	$ 0.12	$ 0.70

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)		$ (26)	$ 126	$ (39)	$ 173
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	14	9	(90)	20
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges	[2]	2	(20)	(31)	(29)
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments	[3]	3	2	7	6
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)		19	(9)	(114)	(3)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)		(7)	117	(153)	170
Less: comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		5	5	2	9
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders		$ (12)	$ 112	$ (155)	$ 161
[1]	Net of tax of $3 million
[2]	Net of tax of zero million
[3]	Net of tax of $(1) million and zero for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(2) million and $(1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$ 3	$ 3	$ 0	$ (1)
Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, tax	0	8	12	11
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments, tax	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (2)	$ (1)

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 438	$ 454
Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $42 and $28 as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	1,131	1,103
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	504	420
Total current assets	2,073	1,977
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	402	466
Operating lease right-of-use asset	377	393
Goodwill	5,984	5,993
Other intangible assets, net	4,698	4,881
Deferred tax assets	276	276
Other non-current assets	312	333
Total assets	14,122	14,319
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	1,100	1,182
Deferred revenues	361	345
Income tax liabilities		60
Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings	291	914
Total current liabilities	1,752	2,501
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	8,130	7,395
Deferred tax liabilities	1,016	1,052
Operating lease liabilities	372	370
Other non-current liabilities	645	613
Total liabilities	11,915	11,931
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Nielsen shareholders’ equity
Common stock, €0.07 par value, 1,185,800,000 and 1,185,800,000 shares authorized, 356,767,164 and 356,158,879 shares issued and 356,753,964 and 356,149,883 shares outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	32	32
Additional paid-in capital	4,359	4,378
Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit)	(1,258)	(1,210)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(1,112)	(1,005)
Total Nielsen shareholders’ equity	2,021	2,195
Noncontrolling interests	186	193
Total equity	2,207	2,388
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,122	$ 14,319

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2020€ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019€ / shares
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade and other receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns | $	$ 42		$ 28
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	356,767,164		356,158,879
Common stock, shares outstanding	356,753,964		356,149,883

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$ (39)	$ 173
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	27	26
Currency exchange rate differences on financial transactions and other (gains)/losses	8	(1)
Equity in net loss of affiliates, net of dividends received	1	1
Depreciation and amortization	438	364
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	45
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired and divested:
Trade and other receivables, net	(42)	(118)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	42	(4)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities and deferred revenues	(94)	(153)
Other non-current liabilities	(16)	(48)
Interest payable	(5)	6
Income taxes	(120)	(63)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	245	183
Investing Activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(28)	(60)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(14)	(44)
Additions to intangible assets	(218)	(186)
Other investing activities	(2)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(262)	(290)
Financing Activities
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	165	296
Proceeds from issuances of debt, net of issuance costs	978
Repayment of debt	(1,029)	(29)
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings		(1)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(43)	(249)
Activity from share-based compensation plans	(5)	(4)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2	2
Finance leases	(36)	(29)
Other financing activities	(11)	(8)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	21	(22)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20)	(2)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16)	(131)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	454	524
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	438	393
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for income taxes	(93)	(118)
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ (190)	$ (193)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total		Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Currency Translation Adjustments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Cash Flow Hedges	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net Post Employment Benefits	Total Nielsen Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 3,043		$ 32	$ 4,720	$ (795)	$ (779)	$ 11	$ (342)	$ 2,847	$ 196
Net income/(loss)	173				166				166	7
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	20	[1]				18			18	2
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(29)	[2]					(29)		(29)
Unrealized gain on pension liability, net of tax	6	[3]						6	6
Employee stock purchase plan	2			2					2
Capital contribution by non-controlling partner	2									2
Divestiture of a non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary, net	(2)									(2)
Dividends to shareholders	(255)			(249)					(249)	(6)
Common stock activity from share-based compensation plans	(4)			(4)					(4)
Share-based compensation expense	32			32					32
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	2,988		32	4,501	(629)	(761)	(18)	(336)	2,789	199
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	2,989		32	4,614	(752)	(768)	2	(338)	2,790	199
Net income/(loss)	126				123				123	3
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	9	[1]				7			7	2
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(20)	[2]					(20)		(20)
Unrealized gain on pension liability, net of tax	2	[3]						2	2
Employee stock purchase plan	1			1					1
Divestiture of a non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary, net	(2)									(2)
Dividends to shareholders	(128)			(125)					(125)	(3)
Common stock activity from share-based compensation plans	(1)			(1)					(1)
Share-based compensation expense	12			12					12
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	2,988		32	4,501	(629)	(761)	(18)	(336)	2,789	199
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	2,388		32	4,378	(1,210)	(776)	(19)	(210)	2,195	193
Net income/(loss)	(39)				(48)				(48)	9
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(90)	[1]				(83)			(83)	(7)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(31)	[2]					(31)		(31)
Unrealized gain on pension liability, net of tax	7	[3]						7	7
Employee stock purchase plan	2			2					2
Dividends to shareholders	(52)			(43)					(43)	(9)
Common stock activity from share-based compensation plans	(5)			(5)					(5)
Share-based compensation expense	27			27					27
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	2,207		32	4,359	(1,258)	(859)	(50)	(203)	2,021	186
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	2,231		32	4,370	(1,228)	(872)	(52)	(206)	2,044	187
Net income/(loss)	(26)				(30)				(30)	4
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	14	[1]				13			13	1
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	2	[2]					2		2
Unrealized gain on pension liability, net of tax	3	[3]						3	3
Employee stock purchase plan	1			1					1
Dividends to shareholders	(28)			(22)					(22)	(6)
Common stock activity from share-based compensation plans	(1)			(1)					(1)
Share-based compensation expense	11			11					11
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 2,207		$ 32	$ 4,359	$ (1,258)	$ (859)	$ (50)	$ (203)	$ 2,021	$ 186
[1]	Net of tax of $3 million
[2]	Net of tax of zero million
[3]	Net of tax of $(1) million and zero for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $(2) million and $(1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Condensed Consolidated Statem_6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Currency translation adjustments, tax	$ 3	$ 3	$ 0	$ (1)
Cash flow hedges, tax	0	8	12	11
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments, tax	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (2)	$ (1)

Background and Basis of Present

Background and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. The company’s approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what’s happening now, what’s happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. Nielsen is divided into two business units: Nielsen Global Media (“Media”) and Nielsen Global Connect (“Connect”). Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising clients with unbiased and reliable metrics that create the shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Media helps clients to define exactly who they want to reach, as well as optimize the outcomes they can achieve. The company's cross-platform measurement strategy brings together the best of TV and digital measurement to ensure a more functional marketplace for the industry. Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that brands need to innovate and grow their businesses. Connect provides data and builds tools that use predictive models to turn observations in the marketplace into business decisions and winning solutions. The business's data and insights, combined with the only open, cloud native measurement and analytics platform that democratizes the power of data, continue to provide an essential foundation that makes markets possible in the rapidly evolving world of commerce. On November 7, 2019, Nielsen announced its plan to spin-off the company's Global Connect business, creating two independent, publicly traded companies -- the Global Media business and the Global Connect business. On May 7, 2020, the Company filed an initial Form 10 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company’s proposed separation. On June 30, 2020, Nielsen announced a broad-based optimization plan (the “Restructuring Plan”) to drive permanent cost savings and operational efficiencies, as well as to position the Company for greater profitability and growth. The Company expects the Restructuring Plan to be substantially completed in 2020 and for restructuring actions and other permanent cost-savings initiatives to drive approximately $250 million in pre-tax annual run-rate savings. The Company expects 2020 pre-tax restructuring charges of $150 to $170 million. Nielsen has operations in approximately 100 countries , with its Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, contain all the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies, commitments and contingencies and certain other information, refer to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. All amounts are presented in U.S. Dollars (“$”), 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 June 30, 2020 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 primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of 8,996,021 and 4,252,823 shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity awards under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. The effect of 8,996,021 and 4,349,778 shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity awards under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. Accounts Receivable The Company extends non-interest bearing trade credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business. To minimize credit risk, ongoing credit evaluations of client’s financial condition are performed. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. Prior to the adoption, an estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts was made when collection of the full amount was no longer probable (incurred loss) or returns were expected. Subsequent to the adoption, as noted in Note 2, the allowance for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amounts is no longer probable by also incorporating reasonable and supportable forecasts (expected loss). D uring the six months ended June 30, 2020, Nielsen sold $125 million of accounts receivable . As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $30 million and $85 .

Summary of Recent Accounting Pr

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	2. Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Financial Instruments – Credit Losses Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The standard significantly changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard replaced the “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities are required to record allowances rather than reduce the carrying amount under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. Upon adoption, this new standard did not have a significant impact on Nielsen’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations. Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20), which amends the current disclosure requirements regarding defined benefit pensions and other post retirement plans, and allows for the removal of certain disclosures, while adding certain new disclosure requirements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and allows for early adoption. Nielsen does not expect this new standard to have a significant impact on its disclosures. Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which amends and aims to simplify accounting disclosure requirements regarding a number of topics including: intraperiod tax allocation, accounting for deferred taxes when there are changes in consolidation of certain investments, tax basis step up in an acquisition and the application of effective rate changes during interim periods, amongst other improvements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and a llows for early adoption. Nielsen is assessing the im pact of this new standard on its consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and its future disclosures . Reference Rate Reform - On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (“ASC 848”): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASC 848 contains optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The provisions of ASC 848 must be applied at a Topic, Subtopic or Industry Subtopic for all transactions other than derivatives, which may be applied at a hedging relationship level. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur .

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	3. Revenue Recognition Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. 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 Connect segment consists primarily of measurement services, which include the Company’s core tracking and scan data (primarily transactional measurement data and consumer behavior information) to businesses in the consumer packaged goods industry. Nielsen’s data is used by its clients to measure their market share, tracking billions of sales transactions per month in retail outlets around the world. 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 are 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 service is transferred to the customer. Revenue from Nielsen’s Media segment is primarily generated from television, radio, digital and mobile audience measurement services and analytics which are used by the Company’s media clients to establish the value of airtime and more effectively schedule and promote their programming and the Company’s advertising clients to plan and optimize their spending. As the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance, revenues for these services are recognized over the period during which the performance obligations are satisfied and control of the service is transferred to the customer. The Company enters int o cooperation arrangements with certain 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 by major product offerings and timing of revenue recognition. (IN MILLIONS) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Connect Segment Measure $ 495 $ 546 $ 1,005 $ 1,085 Predict/Activate 190 226 397 424 Connect $ 685 $ 772 $ 1,402 $ 1,509 Media Segment Audience Measurement $ 603 $ 622 $ 1,218 $ 1,227 Plan/Optimize 208 234 435 455 Media $ 811 $ 856 $ 1,653 $ 1,682 Total $ 1,496 $ 1,628 $ 3,055 $ 3,191 Timing of revenue recognition Products transferred at a point in time $ 147 $ 145 $ 284 $ 276 Products and services transferred over time 1,349 1,483 2,771 2,915 Total $ 1,496 $ 1,628 $ 3,055 $ 3,191 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. 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) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Contract assets $ 224 $ 218 Contract liabilities $ 361 $ 346 The increase in the contract assets balance during the period was primarily due to $187 million of revenue recognized that was not billed, in accordance with the terms of the contracts, as of June 30, 2020, offset by $176 million of contract assets included in the December 31, 2019 balance that were invoiced to our clients and therefore transferred to trade receivables. The increase in the contract liability balance during the period is primarily due to $293 million of advance consideration received or the right to consideration that is unconditional from customers for which revenue was not recognized during the period, offset by $276 million of revenue recognized that was included in the December 31, 2019 contract liability balance. Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations As of June 30, 2020, approximately $6.5 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 71% of these remaining performance obligations through December 31, 2021, 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the balances of such capitalized costs were $10 million and $11 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 six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1 million and $2 million, respectively. The amortization of these costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 was $2 million and $4 million, respectively. There was no impairment loss recorded in any of the periods presented. Expected Credit Losses Nielsen is required to measure expected credit losses on trade accounts receivable. Nielsen considered the asset’s contractual life, the risk of loss and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic The following schedule represents the allowance for doubtful accounts rollforward incorporating expected credit losses as of June 30, 2020. (IN MILLIONS) Balance Charges to Deductions Effect of Balance at Allowance for accounts receivable For the six months ended June 30, 2020 $ 12 $ 5 $ (5 ) $ - $ 12

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions	4. Business Acquisitions Acquisitions For the six months ended June 30, 2020, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $28 million associated with current period acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had these 2020 acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2020, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $60 million associated with current period acquisitions, net of cash acquired. Had these 2019 acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2019, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would not have been material.

Leases

Leases	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	5. Leases All significant lease arrangements are generally recognized at lease commencement. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement. An ROU asset and corresponding lease liability are not recorded for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short term leases) and Nielsen recognizes lease expense for these leases as incurred over the lease term . rate implicit in the lease for the discount rate when determining the present value of lease payments whenever that rate is readily determinable. If the rate is not readily determinable, Nielsen uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is updated periodically, based on the information available at commencement date. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments related to initial direct cost and prepayments and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Nielsen has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for together . Nielsen has operating and finance leases for real estate facilities, servers, computer hardware, and other equipment. Nielsen’s leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 30 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. The components of lease expense were as follows: (in millions) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Lease cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 15 $ 25 Interest on lease liabilities 2 3 Total finance lease cost 17 28 Operating lease cost 32 36 Sublease income (1 ) (1 ) Total lease cost $ 48 $ 63 (in millions) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Lease cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 32 $ 37 Interest on lease liabilities 4 5 Total finance lease cost 36 42 Operating lease cost 63 58 Short-term lease cost 2 - Sublease income (2 ) (2 ) Total lease cost $ 99 $ 98 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: (in millions, except lease term and discount rate) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Operating leases Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 377 $ 393 Other current liabilities 104 110 Operating lease liabilities 372 370 Total operating lease liabilities $ 476 $ 480 Finance leases Property, plant and equipment, gross $ 401 $ 393 Accumulated depreciation (238 ) (213 ) Property, plant and equipment, net 163 180 Other intangible assets, gross 23 24 Accumulated amortization (17 ) (13 ) Other intangible assets, net 6 11 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 43 53 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 79 92 Total finance lease liabilities $ 122 $ 145 Six Months Ended June 30, Other information 2020 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from finance leases (4 ) (5 ) Operating cash flows from operating leases (64 ) (65 ) Financing cash flows from finance leases (36 ) (29 ) Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 12 13 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 27 32 Weighted-average remaining lease term--finance leases 4 years 3 years Weighted-average remaining lease term--operating leases 7 years 9 years Weighted-average discount rate--finance leases 5.96 % 6.50 % Weighted-average discount rate--operating leases 4.29 % 4.50 % Annual maturities of Nielsen’s lease liabilities are as follows: (in millions) Operating Leases Finance Leases For July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 $ 67 $ 28 2021 107 43 2022 88 28 2023 63 19 2024 46 12 2025 29 4 Thereafter 160 5 Total lease payments 560 139 Less imputed interest (84 ) (17 ) Total $ 476 $ 122

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill During the first quarter of 2020, despite the excess fair value identified in our 2019 impairment assessment, we determined that the significant decline in Nielsen’s market capitalization and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that there was a triggering event for an interim assessment. As a result, we reviewed our previous forecasts and assumptions based on our projections that are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including: forecasted revenues, expenses and cash flows, including the duration and extent of impact to our business from the COVID-19 pandemic, current discount rates, the reduction in Nielsen's market capitalization, and observable market transactions. Based on our interim impairment assessment as of March 31, 2020, we determined that the estimated fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values (including goodwill), thus no impairment was recorded. Based on our second quarter results and projections, there were no indicators of impairment during the second quarter of 2020. Nielsen will continue to closely evaluate any indicators of future impairments. The table below summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended June 30, 2020. (IN MILLIONS) Connect Media Total Balance, December 31, 2019 $ 331 $ 5,662 $ 5,993 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 20 (7 ) 13 Effect of foreign currency translation (8 ) (14 ) (22 ) Balance, June 30, 2020 $ 343 $ 5,641 $ 5,984 At June 30, 2020, $40 million of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Other Intangible Assets Gross Amounts Accumulated Amortization June 30, December 31, June 30, December 31, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade names and trademarks $ 1,921 $ 1,921 $ — $ — Amortized intangibles: Trade names and trademarks 145 144 (113 ) (109 ) Customer-related intangibles 3,117 3,153 (1,844 ) (1,764 ) Covenants-not-to-compete 37 37 (36 ) (36 ) Content databases 168 168 (47 ) (40 ) Computer software 2,830 2,626 (1,515 ) (1,260 ) Patents and other 183 182 (148 ) (141 ) Total $ 6,480 $ 6,310 $ (3,703 ) $ (3,350 ) During the second quarter of 2020, Nielsen decided to exit smaller, underperforming markets and non-core businesses, and concluded that this decision represented an impairment indicator for the long-lived assets within those markets and businesses. To the extent that the carrying value of the assets exceeded the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows, we measured an impairment charge using a discounted cash flow method for estimation of the assets’ fair value. During the second quarter of 2020 we recognized a non-cash impairment charge associated with amortizable intangibles of $37 million. This charge was primarily recorded within our Media segment. Amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets was $182 million and $136 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts included amortization expense associated with computer software of $134 million and $86 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets was $350 million and $274 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts included amortization expense associated with computer software of $255 million and $173 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At June 30, 2020, the net book value of purchased software and internally developed software was $25 million and $1,290 million, respectively.

Changes in and Reclassification

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component	7. Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax, by component for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2019 $ (776 ) $ (19 ) $ (210 ) $ (1,005 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (90 ) (38 ) 1 (127 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss — 7 6 13 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) (90 ) (31 ) 7 (114 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (7 ) — — (7 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders (83 ) (31 ) 7 (107 ) Balance June 30, 2020 $ (859 ) $ (50 ) $ (203 ) $ (1,112 ) Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2018 $ (779 ) $ 11 $ (342 ) $ (1,110 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 20 (24 ) — (4 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss — (5 ) 6 1 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) 20 (29 ) 6 (3 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 2 — — 2 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders 18 (29 ) 6 (5 ) Balance June 30, 2019 $ (761 ) $ (18 ) $ (336 ) $ (1,115 ) The table below summarizes the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive (Income)/Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 8 $ (3 ) Interest (income)/expense (2 ) 1 (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 6 $ (2 ) Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 4 $ 4 (a) (1 ) (1 ) (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 3 $ 3 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 9 $ 1 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 th e six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive (Income)/Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 10 $ (7 ) Interest (income)/expense (3 ) 2 (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 7 $ (5 ) Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 8 $ 7 (a) (2 ) (1 ) (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 6 $ 6 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 13 $ 1 Net of tax (a) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

Restructuring Activities

Restructuring Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Activities	8. Restructuring Activities Optimization Initiatives In June, 2020, Nielsen announced a broad-based optimization plan to drive permanent cost savings and operational efficiencies, as well as to position the Company for greater profitability and growth. The Company expects the plan to be substantially completed in 2020. Nielsen incurred $84 million of restructuring charges in the second quarter of 2020. These charges mostly represent severance costs related to employee separation packages. The amounts are calculated based on salary levels and past service periods. Severance costs are generally charged to earnings when planned employee terminations are approved. A summary of the changes in the liabilities for restructuring activities is provided below: Total (IN MILLIONS) Initiatives Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 35 Charges (1) 88 Payments (31 ) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 92 (1 ) Excludes charges related to operating lease right-of-use assets of $7 million. Nielsen recorded $84 million and $95 million in restructuring charges primarily relating to the optimization initiatives referenced above for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Nielsen recorded $7 million and $42 million in restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, primarily related to programs associated with Nielsen’s plans to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses as well as automation initiatives. These charges primarily related to severance costs associated with employee separation packages. Of the $92 million in remaining liabilities for restructuring actions, $85 million is expected to be paid within one year and is classified as a current liability within the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	9. 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 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. In addition, the Company records changes in the fair value of equity investments with readily determinable fair values in net income rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). Investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are recognized at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The adjustments related to the observable price changes will also be recognized in net income . 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) $ 25 $ 25 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) — — — — Total $ 27 $ 27 $ — — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ 67 — $ 67 — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 25 25 — — Total $ 92 $ 25 $ 67 — December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) $ 26 $ 26 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) — — — — Total $ 28 $ 28 — — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ 22 — $ 22 — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 26 26 — — Total $ 48 $ 26 $ 22 — (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 equity securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other income/(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 equity 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 equity 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 10 – (“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 June 30, 2020, 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 six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, Nielsen recorded a net loss of $3 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the notional amount of the outstanding foreign currency derivative financial instruments were $111 million and $125 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. As of June 30, 2020, 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 $ 250,000,000 July 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2021 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2022 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 April 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 May 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 June 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 July 2023 U.S. Dollar The effect of cash flow hedge accounting on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively: Interest Expense Interest Expense Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest expense (Location in the consolidated statement of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded) $ 91 $ 100 $ 185 $ 199 Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax $ (6 ) $ 2 $ (7 ) $ 5 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 $27 million of net pre-tax losses 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Prepaid Expense Prepaid Expense Other and Other Current Other Current Other Non-Current Other Current Other Current Non-Current (IN MILLIONS) Assets Liabilities Liabilities Assets Liabilities Liabilities Interest rate swaps $ — $ 2 $ 65 $ — $ — $ 22 Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 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 June 30, Portion) June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest rate swaps $ 6 $ 25 Interest expense $ 8 $ (3 ) The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 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 Six Months Ended into Income Six Months Ended Hedging Relationships June 30, (Effective Portion) June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest rate swaps $ 53 $ 33 Interest expense $ 10 $ (7 ) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis During the second quarter of 2020, Nielsen concluded that the decision to exit smaller, underperforming markets and non-core businesses was an impairment indicator for the long-lived assets within those exits. Where the carrying value of the assets exceeded the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows, we measured an impairment charge using a discounted cash flow method for estimation of the assets’ fair value. During the second quarter of 2020 we recognized a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge associated with long- lived assets of $45 million, including $37 million of definite-lived intangible assets and $8 million of property, plant and equipment. The Company did not measure any material non-financial assets or liabilities at fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Long-term Debt and Other Financ

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long Term Debt And Other Financing Arrangements Text Block	10. Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements Unless otherwise stated, interest rates are as of June 30, 2020. June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Weighted Weighted Interest Carrying Fair Interest Carrying Fair (IN MILLIONS) Rate Amount Value Rate Amount Value $1,125 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 1.93%) due 2023 $ 1,072 1,056 $ 1,086 1,079 $2,303 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 2.18%) due 2023 2,252 2,174 2,263 2,273 € of 2.50%) due 2023 601 594 603 606 € of 3.75%) due 2025 459 468 — — $550 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 4.75%) due 2025 534 544 — — $850 million senior secured revolving credit facility (Euro LIBOR or LIBOR based variable rate) due 2023 165 162 — — Total senior secured credit facilities (with weighted-average interest rate) 2.81 % 5,083 4,998 3.52 % 3,952 3,958 $800 million 4.500% senior debenture loan due 2020 — — 799 802 $425 million 5.500% senior debenture loan due 2021 424 425 622 629 $2,300 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2022 2,295 2,290 2,293 2,312 $500 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2025 497 492 497 516 Total debenture loans (with weighted-average interest rate) 5.29 % 3,216 3,207 5.22 % 4,211 4,259 Other loans — — 1 1 Total long-term debt 3.77 % 8,299 8,205 4.40 % 8,164 8,218 Finance lease and other financing obligations 122 145 Total debt and other financing arrangements 8,421 8,309 Less: Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings 291 914 Non-current portion of long-term debt and finance lease and other financing obligations $ 8,130 $ 7,395 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. Senior Secured Credit Facilities Term Loan Facilities In June 2020, Nielsen entered into a Credit Agreement that provides for: (i) a new dollar term loan facility, the “Dollar Term B-5 Loans” having commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $550 million and (ii) a new euro term loan facility, the “Euro Term B-3 Loans” in an aggregate principal amount of € On June 4, 2020, Nielsen borrowed the full amount of the Dollar Term B-5 Loans and the Euro Term B-3 Loans. The proceeds of the Dollar Term B-5 Loans and Euro Term B-3 Loans were used to redeem all of the $800 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of their 4.500% Notes due 2020 and redeem $200 million of the $625 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 5.500% Senior Notes due 2021. The partial redemption of the 5.500% Notes resulted in $425 million aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes remaining outstanding. The Dollar Term B-5 Loans and the Euro Term B-3 Loans will mature in full on the earlier of (i) June 4, 2025 and (ii) if the existing Class B Term Loans incurred pursuant to and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement have not been repaid or refinanced (subject to additional limitations in the Credit Agreement) on or prior to the date that is 91 days prior to October 4, 2023, on October 4, 2023. The Dollar Term B-5 Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the election of Nielsen, (i) a base rate or eurocurrency rate, plus (ii) an applicable margin of 2.75%, in the case of base rate loans, and 3.75%, in the case of eurocurrency rate loans. The Euro Term B-3 Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (i) a eurocurrency rate plus (ii) an applicable margin of 3.75%. The Credit Agreement contains substantially the same affirmative and negative covenants as those of the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2018 (as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time), however, the Credit Agreement expressly permits actions in connection with and resulting in the disposition of Nielsen Global Connect, including by way of a spin-off of the Connect Business, as previously announced by Nielsen. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured on a pari passu Nielsen wrote-off certain previously capitalized deferred financing fees of $1 million associated with the June 2020 debt refinancing and capitalized certain costs in connection with the refinancing of $9 million. Annual maturities of Nielsen’s long-term debt are as follows: (IN MILLIONS) For July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 $ 197 2021 504 2022 2,399 2023 3,713 2024 10 2025 (1) 1,476 Thereafter — $ 8,299 (1) If the existing € 545 € Subsequent Events In July, 2020, Nielsen entered into Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”), relating to its Credit Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2020. Pursuant to Amendment No. 1, the Company incurred new Euro Term B-3 Loans in an aggregate principal amount of €240 million (the “Incremental Euro Term B-3 Loans”), thereby increasing the outstanding amount of existing Euro Term B-3 Loans under the 2020 Credit Agreement to approximately €660 million. The proceeds of the Incremental Euro Term B-3 Loans were used by Nielsen to prepay the €545 million Senior secured term loan The Incremental Euro Term B-3 Loans are subject to the same terms, maturity date and interest rate as the existing Euro Term B-3 Loans. The Incremental Euro Term B-3 Loans are subject to customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. In July, 2020, Nielsen entered into an Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”) amending and restating the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2018 (as amended before July 21, 2020, the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The modifications in the agreement primarily conform the covenants and certain other terms to the terms of the 2020 Credit Agreement. The amended agreement expressly permits actions in connection with and resulting in the disposition of Nielsen Global Connect, including by way of a spin-off of the Connect Business, as previously announced by Nielsen.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	11. Shareholders’ Equity Common stock activity is as follows: Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding Beginning of period 356,149,883 Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans 608,285 Employee benefit trust activity (4,204 ) End of period 356,753,964 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 years ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share February 21, 2019 March 7, 2019 March 21, 2019 $ 0.35 April 18, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 19, 2019 $ 0.35 July 18, 2019 August 22, 2019 September 5, 2019 $ 0.35 November 3, 2019 November 21, 2019 December 5, 2019 $ 0.06 February 20, 2020 March 5, 2020 March 19, 2020 $ 0.06 April 16, 2020 June 4, 2020 June 18, 2020 $ 0.06 On November 3, 2019 the Board approved a plan to reduce the quarterly cash dividend, with the goal of strengthening Nielsen’s balance sheet and providing added flexibility to invest for growth . On July 16, 2020, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per share on Nielsen’s common stock. The dividend is payable on September 3, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2020. 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 $2 billion in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock. The primary purpose of the program is to return value to shareholders and to mitigate dilution associated with Nielsen’s equity compensation plans. Board Approval Share Repurchase Authorization ($ 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 and depending on Nielsen’s evaluation of market conditions and other factors. This program has been executed within the limitations of the authority granted Nielsen on August 6, 2015 (which will expire on August 6, 2020) and which has been extended by the authority approved by Nielsen's shareholders at its annual general meeting of shareholders held on May 12, 2020, which authority will expire on May 12, 2025 . As of June 30, 2020, there were 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. There were no share repurchases for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	12. Income Taxes The effective tax rates before discrete tax items for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were 62% ($40 million tax benefit) and 31% ($46 million tax expense), respectively. The tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2020 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, BEAT tax, and withholding taxes. The tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2019 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 offset by the favorable impact of certain financing activities. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the total tax benefit was $38 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, the total tax expense was $23 million which includes the favorable impact of releasing certain tax contingencies and other discrete items recognized in the second quarter. The effective tax rates before discrete tax items for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were 62% ($41 million tax benefit) and 31% ($71 million tax expense), respectively. The tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 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, Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (“BEAT tax”), and withholding taxes offset by reversal of valuation allowance related to certain loss carryforwards. The tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2019 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 offset by the favorable impact of certain financing activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the total tax benefit was $27 million which includes the impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act and other discrete items recognized in the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the total tax expense was $55 million which includes the favorable impact of releasing certain tax contingencies and other discrete items recognized in the period. The estimated liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019 was $164 million. 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. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examination for 2015 and prior periods. In addition, the Company has subsidiaries in various states, provinces and countries that are currently under audit for years ranging from 2007 through 2019. 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	13. Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings and Contingencies In August 2018, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York, naming as defendants Nielsen, former Chief Executive Officer Dwight Mitchell Barns, and former Chief Financial Officer Jamere Jackson. Another lawsuit, which alleged similar facts but also named other Nielsen officers, was filed in the Northern District of Illinois in September 2018 and transferred to the Southern District of New York in December 2018. The actions were consolidated on April 22, 2019, and the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi was appointed lead plaintiff for the putative class. The operative complaint was filed on September 27, 2019, and asserts violations of certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, based on allegedly false and materially misleading statements relating to the outlook of Nielsen’s Buy (now “Connect”) segment, Nielsen’s preparedness for changes in global data privacy laws and Nielsen’s reliance on third-party data. Nielsen moved to dismiss the operative complaint on November 26, 2019. Briefing of Nielsen’s motion concluded on February 26, 2020. In addition, in January 2019, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in New York Supreme Court against a number of Nielsen’s current and former officers and directors. The derivative lawsuit alleges that the named officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties to the Company in connection with factual assertions substantially similar to those in the putative class action complaint. The derivative lawsuit further alleges that certain officers and directors engaged in trading Nielsen stock based on material, nonpublic information. By agreement dated June 26, 2019, the derivative lawsuit has been stayed pending resolution of Nielsen’s motion to dismiss the aforementioned securities litigation. Nielsen intends to defend these lawsuits vigorously. Based on currently available information, Nielsen believes that the Company has meritorious defenses to these actions and that their resolution is not likely to have a material adverse effect on Nielsen’s business, financial position, or results of operations. Nielsen is 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	14. 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. Operating segments are aggregated into two reporting segments: Nielsen Global Connect (“Connect”), consisting principally of market research information and analytical services; and Nielsen Global Media (“Media”), 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) Connect Media Corporate Total Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Revenues $ 685 $ 811 $ — $ 1,496 Operating income/(loss) (36 ) 120 (56 ) 28 Depreciation and amortization 66 156 2 224 Impairment of other long-lived assets 4 41 — 45 Restructuring charges 55 25 4 84 Share-based compensation expense 1 4 6 11 Other items (1) 1 — 7 8 Separation-related costs (2) — — 26 26 Business segment income/(loss) (3) $ 91 $ 346 $ (11 ) $ 426 Total assets as of June 30, 2020 $ 4,481 $ 9,457 $ 184 $ 14,122 (IN MILLIONS) Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Revenues $ 772 $ 856 $ — $ 1,628 Operating income/(loss) 46 237 (34 ) 249 Depreciation and amortization 55 128 2 185 Restructuring charges 4 3 5 12 Share-based compensation expense 4 3 4 11 Other items (1) — — 13 13 Business segment income/(loss) (3) $ 109 $ 371 $ (10 ) $ 470 Total assets as of December 31, 2019 $ 4,376 $ 9,675 $ 268 $ 14,319 (IN MILLIONS) Connect Media Corporate Total Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Revenues $ 1,402 $ 1,653 $ — $ 3,055 Operating income/(loss) (51 ) 311 (134 ) 126 Depreciation and amortization 131 303 4 438 Impairment of other long-lived assets 4 41 — 45 Restructuring charges 63 26 6 95 Share-based compensation expense 6 8 13 27 Other items (1) 1 — 28 29 Separation-related costs (2) — — 61 61 Business segment income/(loss) (3 ) $ 154 $ 689 $ (22 ) $ 821 (IN MILLIONS) Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Revenues $ 1,509 $ 1,682 $ — $ 3,191 Operating income/(loss) 44 451 (72 ) 423 Depreciation and amortization 110 251 3 364 Restructuring charges 26 10 11 47 Share-based compensation expense 8 6 12 26 Other items (1) — — 25 25 Business segment income/(loss) (3 ) $ 188 $ 718 $ (21 ) $ 885 (1) Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs, including strategic review costs, and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. (2) Separation-related costs consists of costs that would not have been incurred if Nielsen was not undertaking the separation of the Nielsen Global Connect business from the Nielsen Global Media business and positioning Global Connect and Global Media to operate as two independent companies. (3) 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	15. 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, 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 and the condensed consolidated balance sheet to reflect the current year structure. The issued debt securities are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by Nielsen, Valcon Acquisition B.V. and, subject to certain exceptions, each of the other 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.à r.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 June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 1,019 $ 477 $ — $ 1,496 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 394 270 — 664 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 10 — 220 221 — 451 Depreciation and amortization — — 184 40 — 224 Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets — — 45 — — 45 Restructuring charges — — 28 56 — 84 Operating income/(loss) (10 ) — 148 (110 ) — 28 Interest income 1 161 — — (162 ) — Interest expense — (85 ) (167 ) (1 ) 162 (91 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 1 2 — 3 Other income/(expense), net — (1 ) (66 ) 63 — (4 ) Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (9 ) 75 (84 ) (46 ) — (64 ) Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — 85 (19 ) (28 ) — 38 Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (21 ) 29 83 — (91 ) — Equity on net income/(loss) of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income/(loss) (30 ) 189 (21 ) (73 ) (91 ) (26 ) Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest (30 ) 189 (21 ) (77 ) (91 ) (30 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 18 (6 ) 18 39 (50 ) 19 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 1 — 1 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 18 (6 ) 18 38 (50 ) 18 Total comprehensive income/(loss) (12 ) 183 (3 ) (34 ) (141 ) (7 ) Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (12 ) $ 183 $ (3 ) $ (39 ) $ (141 ) $ (12 ) Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 1,057 $ 571 $ — $ 1,628 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 383 316 — 699 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 250 232 — 483 Depreciation and amortization — — 154 31 — 185 Restructuring charges — — 12 — — 12 Operating income/(loss) (1 ) — 258 (8 ) — 249 Interest income 1 201 1 1 (203 ) 1 Interest expense — (93 ) (209 ) (1 ) 203 (100 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — (14 ) 13 — (1 ) Other income/(expense), net — — (13 ) 13 — — Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries — 108 23 18 — 149 Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — (29 ) 37 (31 ) — (23 ) Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 123 33 63 — (219 ) — Net income/(loss) 123 112 123 (13 ) (219 ) 126 Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3 — 3 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest 123 112 123 (16 ) (219 ) 123 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (11 ) (26 ) (11 ) (16 ) 55 (9 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (11 ) (26 ) (11 ) (18 ) 55 (11 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 112 86 112 (29 ) (164 ) 117 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 112 $ 86 $ 112 $ (34 ) $ (164 ) $ 112 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,051 $ 1,004 $ — $ 3,055 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 817 568 — 1,385 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 11 — 512 443 — 966 Depreciation and amortization — — 366 72 — 438 Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets — — 45 — — 45 Restructuring charges — — 33 62 — 95 Operating income/(loss) (11 ) — 278 (141 ) — 126 Interest income 1 372 16 11 (399 ) 1 Interest expense — (176 ) (391 ) (17 ) 399 (185 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 18 (21 ) — (3 ) Other income/(expense), net — (1 ) (55 ) 51 — (5 ) Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (10 ) 195 (134 ) (117 ) — (66 ) Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — 53 (24 ) (2 ) — 27 Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (38 ) 82 121 — (165 ) — Equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income/(loss) (48 ) 330 (38 ) (118 ) (165 ) (39 ) Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest (48 ) 330 (38 ) (127 ) (165 ) (48 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (107 ) (32 ) (107 ) (97 ) 229 (114 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — (7 ) — (7 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (107 ) (32 ) (107 ) (90 ) 229 (107 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) (155 ) 298 (145 ) (215 ) 64 (153 ) Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (155 ) $ 298 $ (145 ) $ (217 ) $ 64 $ (155 ) Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,070 $ 1,121 $ — $ 3,191 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 776 618 — 1,394 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 2 — 494 467 — 963 Depreciation and amortization — — 302 62 — 364 Restructuring charges — — 25 22 — 47 Operating income/(loss) (2 ) — 473 (48 ) — 423 Interest income 1 385 2 3 (388 ) 3 Interest expense — (186 ) (398 ) (3 ) 388 (199 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 6 (10 ) — (4 ) Other income/(expense), net — — (97 ) 102 — 5 Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (1 ) 199 (14 ) 44 — 228 Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — (54 ) 59 (60 ) — (55 ) Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 167 89 122 — (378 ) — Net income/(loss) 166 234 167 (16 ) (378 ) 173 Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 7 — 7 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest 166 234 167 (23 ) (378 ) 166 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (5 ) (25 ) (5 ) 37 (5 ) (3 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (5 ) (25 ) (5 ) 35 (5 ) (5 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 161 209 162 21 (383 ) 170 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 161 $ 209 $ 162 $ 12 $ (383 ) $ 161 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 $ 1 $ 107 $ 327 $ — $ 438 Trade and other receivables, net — — 635 496 — 1,131 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 366 138 — 504 Intercompany receivables — 1,791 227 281 (2,299 ) — Total current assets 3 1,792 1,335 1,242 (2,299 ) 2,073 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment, net — — 265 137 — 402 Operating lease right-of-use asset — — 181 196 377 Goodwill — — 5,106 878 — 5,984 Other intangible assets, net — — 5,450 (752 ) — 4,698 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 275 — 276 Other non-current assets — — 241 71 — 312 Equity investment in subsidiaries 1,993 1,294 3,167 — (6,454 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,633 95 143 (8,896 ) — Total assets $ 2,022 $ 11,719 $ 15,840 $ 2,190 $ (17,649 ) $ 14,122 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 1 $ 50 $ 541 $ 508 $ — $ 1,100 Deferred revenues — — 257 104 — 361 Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 80 205 6 — 291 Intercompany payables — 1 2,073 225 (2,299 ) — Total current liabilities 1 131 3,076 843 (2,299 ) 1,752 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt and finance lease obligations — 7,595 525 10 — 8,130 Operating lease liabilities — — 213 159 — 372 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 863 82 — 1,016 Intercompany loans — — 8,801 95 (8,896 ) — Other non-current liabilities — 64 369 212 — 645 Total liabilities 1 7,861 13,847 1,401 (11,195 ) 11,915 Total shareholders’ equity 2,021 3,858 1,993 603 (6,454 ) 2,021 Noncontrolling interests — — — 186 — 186 Total equity 2,021 3,858 1,993 789 (6,454 ) 2,207 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,022 $ 11,719 $ 15,840 $ 2,190 $ (17,649 ) $ 14,122 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet December 31, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ — $ 78 $ 374 $ — $ 454 Trade and other receivables, net — — 539 564 — 1,103 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 296 124 — 420 Intercompany receivables 7 1,615 309 328 (2,259 ) - Total current assets 9 1,615 1,222 1,390 (2,259 ) 1,977 Non-current assets - Property, plant and equipment, net — — 303 163 — 466 Operating lease right-of-use asset — — 190 203 — 393 Goodwill — — 5,103 890 — 5,993 Other intangible assets, net — — 5,597 (716 ) — 4,881 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 275 — 276 Other non-current assets — — 260 73 — 333 Equity investment in subsidiaries 2,170 1,298 4,285 — (7,753 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,887 98 1,605 (10,615 ) — Total assets $ 2,205 $ 11,800 $ 17,058 $ 3,883 $ (20,627 ) $ 14,319 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 10 $ 62 $ 564 $ 546 $ — $ 1,182 Deferred revenues — — 257 88 — 345 Income tax liabilities — — 4 56 — 60 Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 861 46 7 — 914 Intercompany payables — 3 1,948 308 (2,259 ) — Total current liabilities 10 926 2,819 1,005 (2,259 ) 2,501 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt and finance lease obligations — 7,302 80 13 — 7,395 Operating lease liabilities — — 213 157 — 370 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 887 94 — 1,052 Intercompany loans — — 10,516 99 (10,615 ) — Other non-current liabilities — 22 373 218 — 613 Total liabilities 10 8,321 14,888 1,586 (12,874 ) 11,931 Total shareholders’ equity 2,195 3,479 2,170 2,104 (7,753 ) 2,195 Noncontrolling interests — — — 193 — 193 Total equity 2,195 3,479 2,170 2,297 (7,753 ) 2,388 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,205 $ 11,800 $ 17,058 $ 3,883 $ (20,627 ) $ 14,319 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 312 $ (105 ) $ 245 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (14 ) (14 ) (28 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (6 ) (8 ) (14 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (176 ) (42 ) (218 ) Other investing activities — — 1 (3 ) (2 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (195 ) (67 ) (262 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 165 — 165 Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 535 443 — 978 Repayments of debt — (1,029 ) — — (1,029 ) Cash dividends paid to shareholders (43 ) — — — (43 ) Activity from share-based compensation plans (1 ) — (4 ) — (5 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 2 — — — 2 Finance leases — — (33 ) (3 ) (36 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 56 444 (655 ) 144 (11 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 14 (50 ) (84 ) 141 21 Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (4 ) (16 ) (20 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1 1 29 (47 ) (16 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2 — 78 374 454 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3 $ 1 $ 107 $ 327 $ 438 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (7 ) $ 39 $ 245 $ (94 ) $ 183 Investing activities: - Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (11 ) (49 ) (60 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (24 ) (20 ) (44 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (158 ) (28 ) (186 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (193 ) (97 ) (290 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 296 — 296 Repayments of debt — (29 ) — — (29 ) Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings — — — (1 ) (1 ) Cash dividends paid to shareholders (249 ) — — — (249 ) Activity from share-based compensation plans — — (4 ) — (4 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 2 — — — 2 Finance leases — — (26 ) (3 ) (29 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 253 (10 ) (397 ) 146 (8 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 6 (39 ) (131 ) 142 (22 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1 ) — (81 ) (49 ) (131 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3 — 132 389 524 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 2 $ — $ 51 $ 340 $ 393

Summary of Recent Accounting _2

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 United States (“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, 2019. 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 June 30, 2020 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 primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. The effect of 8,996,021 and 4,252,823 shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity awards under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive. The effect of 8,996,021 and 4,349,778 shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity awards under Nielsen’s stock compensation plans were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as such shares would have been anti-dilutive.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable The Company extends non-interest bearing trade credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business. To minimize credit risk, ongoing credit evaluations of client’s financial condition are performed. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. Prior to the adoption, an estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts was made when collection of the full amount was no longer probable (incurred loss) or returns were expected. Subsequent to the adoption, as noted in Note 2, the allowance for doubtful accounts is made when collection of the full amounts is no longer probable by also incorporating reasonable and supportable forecasts (expected loss). D uring the six months ended June 30, 2020, Nielsen sold $125 million of accounts receivable . As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $30 million and $85 .
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses	Financial Instruments – Credit Losses Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The standard significantly changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard replaced the “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities are required to record allowances rather than reduce the carrying amount under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. Upon adoption, this new standard did not have a significant impact on Nielsen’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations.
Reference Rate Reform-Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting	Reference Rate Reform - On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (“ASC 848”): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASC 848 contains optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The provisions of ASC 848 must be applied at a Topic, Subtopic or Industry Subtopic for all transactions other than derivatives, which may be applied at a hedging relationship level. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable as additional changes in the market occur .
Revenue Recognition	Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. 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 Connect segment consists primarily of measurement services, which include the Company’s core tracking and scan data (primarily transactional measurement data and consumer behavior information) to businesses in the consumer packaged goods industry. Nielsen’s data is used by its clients to measure their market share, tracking billions of sales transactions per month in retail outlets around the world. 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 are 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 service is transferred to the customer. Revenue from Nielsen’s Media segment is primarily generated from television, radio, digital and mobile audience measurement services and analytics which are used by the Company’s media clients to establish the value of airtime and more effectively schedule and promote their programming and the Company’s advertising clients to plan and optimize their spending. As the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance, revenues for these services are recognized over the period during which the performance obligations are satisfied and control of the service is transferred to the customer. The Company enters int o cooperation arrangements with certain 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 .
Leases	All significant lease arrangements are generally recognized at lease commencement. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement. An ROU asset and corresponding lease liability are not recorded for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short term leases) and Nielsen recognizes lease expense for these leases as incurred over the lease term . rate implicit in the lease for the discount rate when determining the present value of lease payments whenever that rate is readily determinable. If the rate is not readily determinable, Nielsen uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is updated periodically, based on the information available at commencement date. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments related to initial direct cost and prepayments and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Nielsen has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for together . Nielsen has operating and finance leases for real estate facilities, servers, computer hardware, and other equipment. Nielsen’s leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 30 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement Not Yet Adopted
Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General	Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20), which amends the current disclosure requirements regarding defined benefit pensions and other post retirement plans, and allows for the removal of certain disclosures, while adding certain new disclosure requirements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and allows for early adoption. Nielsen does not expect this new standard to have a significant impact on its disclosures.
Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income taxes	Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which amends and aims to simplify accounting disclosure requirements regarding a number of topics including: intraperiod tax allocation, accounting for deferred taxes when there are changes in consolidation of certain investments, tax basis step up in an acquisition and the application of effective rate changes during interim periods, amongst other improvements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and a llows for early adoption. Nielsen is assessing the im pact of this new standard on its consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and its future disclosures .

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment by Major Product Offerings and Timing of Revenue Recognition	The table below sets forth the Company’s revenue disaggregated within each segment by major product offerings and timing of revenue recognition. (IN MILLIONS) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Connect Segment Measure $ 495 $ 546 $ 1,005 $ 1,085 Predict/Activate 190 226 397 424 Connect $ 685 $ 772 $ 1,402 $ 1,509 Media Segment Audience Measurement $ 603 $ 622 $ 1,218 $ 1,227 Plan/Optimize 208 234 435 455 Media $ 811 $ 856 $ 1,653 $ 1,682 Total $ 1,496 $ 1,628 $ 3,055 $ 3,191 Timing of revenue recognition Products transferred at a point in time $ 147 $ 145 $ 284 $ 276 Products and services transferred over time 1,349 1,483 2,771 2,915 Total $ 1,496 $ 1,628 $ 3,055 $ 3,191
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) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Contract assets $ 224 $ 218 Contract liabilities $ 361 $ 346
Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Rollforward Incorporating Expected Credit Losses	The following schedule represents the allowance for doubtful accounts rollforward incorporating expected credit losses as of June 30, 2020. (IN MILLIONS) Balance Charges to Deductions Effect of Balance at Allowance for accounts receivable For the six months ended June 30, 2020 $ 12 $ 5 $ (5 ) $ - $ 12

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense were as follows: (in millions) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Lease cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 15 $ 25 Interest on lease liabilities 2 3 Total finance lease cost 17 28 Operating lease cost 32 36 Sublease income (1 ) (1 ) Total lease cost $ 48 $ 63 (in millions) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Lease cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 32 $ 37 Interest on lease liabilities 4 5 Total finance lease cost 36 42 Operating lease cost 63 58 Short-term lease cost 2 - Sublease income (2 ) (2 ) Total lease cost $ 99 $ 98
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: (in millions, except lease term and discount rate) June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Operating leases Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 377 $ 393 Other current liabilities 104 110 Operating lease liabilities 372 370 Total operating lease liabilities $ 476 $ 480 Finance leases Property, plant and equipment, gross $ 401 $ 393 Accumulated depreciation (238 ) (213 ) Property, plant and equipment, net 163 180 Other intangible assets, gross 23 24 Accumulated amortization (17 ) (13 ) Other intangible assets, net 6 11 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 43 53 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 79 92 Total finance lease liabilities $ 122 $ 145 Six Months Ended June 30, Other information 2020 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from finance leases (4 ) (5 ) Operating cash flows from operating leases (64 ) (65 ) Financing cash flows from finance leases (36 ) (29 ) Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 12 13 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 27 32 Weighted-average remaining lease term--finance leases 4 years 3 years Weighted-average remaining lease term--operating leases 7 years 9 years Weighted-average discount rate--finance leases 5.96 % 6.50 % Weighted-average discount rate--operating leases 4.29 % 4.50 %
Schedule of Annual Maturities of Lease Liabilities	Annual maturities of Nielsen’s lease liabilities are as follows: (in millions) Operating Leases Finance Leases For July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 $ 67 $ 28 2021 107 43 2022 88 28 2023 63 19 2024 46 12 2025 29 4 Thereafter 160 5 Total lease payments 560 139 Less imputed interest (84 ) (17 ) Total $ 476 $ 122

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 six months ended June 30, 2020. (IN MILLIONS) Connect Media Total Balance, December 31, 2019 $ 331 $ 5,662 $ 5,993 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 20 (7 ) 13 Effect of foreign currency translation (8 ) (14 ) (22 ) Balance, June 30, 2020 $ 343 $ 5,641 $ 5,984
Other Intangible Assets	Other Intangible Assets Gross Amounts Accumulated Amortization June 30, December 31, June 30, December 31, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade names and trademarks $ 1,921 $ 1,921 $ — $ — Amortized intangibles: Trade names and trademarks 145 144 (113 ) (109 ) Customer-related intangibles 3,117 3,153 (1,844 ) (1,764 ) Covenants-not-to-compete 37 37 (36 ) (36 ) Content databases 168 168 (47 ) (40 ) Computer software 2,830 2,626 (1,515 ) (1,260 ) Patents and other 183 182 (148 ) (141 ) Total $ 6,480 $ 6,310 $ (3,703 ) $ (3,350 )

Changes in and Reclassificati_2

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax by Component	The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax, by component for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2019 $ (776 ) $ (19 ) $ (210 ) $ (1,005 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (90 ) (38 ) 1 (127 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss — 7 6 13 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) (90 ) (31 ) 7 (114 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (7 ) — — (7 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders (83 ) (31 ) 7 (107 ) Balance June 30, 2020 $ (859 ) $ (50 ) $ (203 ) $ (1,112 ) Foreign Currency Translation Post Employment Adjustments Cash Flow Hedges Benefits Total (IN MILLIONS) Balance December 31, 2018 $ (779 ) $ 11 $ (342 ) $ (1,110 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 20 (24 ) — (4 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss — (5 ) 6 1 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) 20 (29 ) 6 (3 ) Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 2 — — 2 Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders 18 (29 ) 6 (5 ) Balance June 30, 2019 $ (761 ) $ (18 ) $ (336 ) $ (1,115 )
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 June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive (Income)/Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 8 $ (3 ) Interest (income)/expense (2 ) 1 (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 6 $ (2 ) Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 4 $ 4 (a) (1 ) (1 ) (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 3 $ 3 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 9 $ 1 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 th e six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other (IN MILLIONS) Comprehensive (Income)/Loss Details about Accumulated Affected Line Item in the Other Comprehensive Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Condensed Consolidated Income components June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Statement of Operations Cash flow hedges Interest rate contracts $ 10 $ (7 ) Interest (income)/expense (3 ) 2 (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 7 $ (5 ) Total, net of tax Amortization of Post-Employment Benefits Actuarial loss $ 8 $ 7 (a) (2 ) (1 ) (Benefit)/provision for income taxes $ 6 $ 6 Total, net of tax Total reclassification for the period $ 13 $ 1 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)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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, 2019 $ 35 Charges (1) 88 Payments (31 ) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 92 (1 ) Excludes charges related to operating lease right-of-use assets of $7 million.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019: June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) $ 25 $ 25 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) — — — — Total $ 27 $ 27 $ — — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ 67 — $ 67 — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 25 25 — — Total $ 92 $ 25 $ 67 — December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Plan assets for deferred compensation (1) $ 26 $ 26 — — Investment in mutual funds (2) 2 2 — — Interest rate swap arrangements (3) — — — — Total $ 28 $ 28 — — Liabilities: Interest rate swap arrangements (3) $ 22 — $ 22 — Deferred compensation liabilities (4) 26 26 — — Total $ 48 $ 26 $ 22 — (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 equity securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other income/(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 equity 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 equity securities is also reflected in the changes in fair value of the deferred compensation obligation.
Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps	As of June 30, 2020, 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 $ 250,000,000 July 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2020 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 October 2021 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 July 2022 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 April 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 May 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 250,000,000 June 2023 U.S. Dollar US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps $ 150,000,000 July 2023 U.S. Dollar
Schedule of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations	The effect of cash flow hedge accounting on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively: Interest Expense Interest Expense Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest expense (Location in the consolidated statement of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded) $ 91 $ 100 $ 185 $ 199 Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax $ (6 ) $ 2 $ (7 ) $ 5 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Prepaid Expense Prepaid Expense Other and Other Current Other Current Other Non-Current Other Current Other Current Non-Current (IN MILLIONS) Assets Liabilities Liabilities Assets Liabilities Liabilities Interest rate swaps $ — $ 2 $ 65 $ — $ — $ 22
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 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 June 30, Portion) June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest rate swaps $ 6 $ 25 Interest expense $ 8 $ (3 ) The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 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 Six Months Ended into Income Six Months Ended Hedging Relationships June 30, (Effective Portion) June 30, (IN MILLIONS) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest rate swaps $ 53 $ 33 Interest expense $ 10 $ (7 )

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_2

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-Term Debt	Unless otherwise stated, interest rates are as of June 30, 2020. June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Weighted Weighted Interest Carrying Fair Interest Carrying Fair (IN MILLIONS) Rate Amount Value Rate Amount Value $1,125 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 1.93%) due 2023 $ 1,072 1,056 $ 1,086 1,079 $2,303 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 2.18%) due 2023 2,252 2,174 2,263 2,273 € of 2.50%) due 2023 601 594 603 606 € of 3.75%) due 2025 459 468 — — $550 million Senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 4.75%) due 2025 534 544 — — $850 million senior secured revolving credit facility (Euro LIBOR or LIBOR based variable rate) due 2023 165 162 — — Total senior secured credit facilities (with weighted-average interest rate) 2.81 % 5,083 4,998 3.52 % 3,952 3,958 $800 million 4.500% senior debenture loan due 2020 — — 799 802 $425 million 5.500% senior debenture loan due 2021 424 425 622 629 $2,300 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2022 2,295 2,290 2,293 2,312 $500 million 5.00% senior debenture loan due 2025 497 492 497 516 Total debenture loans (with weighted-average interest rate) 5.29 % 3,216 3,207 5.22 % 4,211 4,259 Other loans — — 1 1 Total long-term debt 3.77 % 8,299 8,205 4.40 % 8,164 8,218 Finance lease and other financing obligations 122 145 Total debt and other financing arrangements 8,421 8,309 Less: Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings 291 914 Non-current portion of long-term debt and finance lease and other financing obligations $ 8,130 $ 7,395
Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Annual maturities of Nielsen’s long-term debt are as follows: (IN MILLIONS) For July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 $ 197 2021 504 2022 2,399 2023 3,713 2024 10 2025 (1) 1,476 Thereafter — $ 8,299 (1) If the existing € 545 €

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock Activity	Common stock activity is as follows: Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding Beginning of period 356,149,883 Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans 608,285 Employee benefit trust activity (4,204 ) End of period 356,753,964
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 years ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Per Share February 21, 2019 March 7, 2019 March 21, 2019 $ 0.35 April 18, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 19, 2019 $ 0.35 July 18, 2019 August 22, 2019 September 5, 2019 $ 0.35 November 3, 2019 November 21, 2019 December 5, 2019 $ 0.06 February 20, 2020 March 5, 2020 March 19, 2020 $ 0.06 April 16, 2020 June 4, 2020 June 18, 2020 $ 0.06
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

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information (IN MILLIONS) Connect Media Corporate Total Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Revenues $ 685 $ 811 $ — $ 1,496 Operating income/(loss) (36 ) 120 (56 ) 28 Depreciation and amortization 66 156 2 224 Impairment of other long-lived assets 4 41 — 45 Restructuring charges 55 25 4 84 Share-based compensation expense 1 4 6 11 Other items (1) 1 — 7 8 Separation-related costs (2) — — 26 26 Business segment income/(loss) (3) $ 91 $ 346 $ (11 ) $ 426 Total assets as of June 30, 2020 $ 4,481 $ 9,457 $ 184 $ 14,122 (IN MILLIONS) Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Revenues $ 772 $ 856 $ — $ 1,628 Operating income/(loss) 46 237 (34 ) 249 Depreciation and amortization 55 128 2 185 Restructuring charges 4 3 5 12 Share-based compensation expense 4 3 4 11 Other items (1) — — 13 13 Business segment income/(loss) (3) $ 109 $ 371 $ (10 ) $ 470 Total assets as of December 31, 2019 $ 4,376 $ 9,675 $ 268 $ 14,319 (IN MILLIONS) Connect Media Corporate Total Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Revenues $ 1,402 $ 1,653 $ — $ 3,055 Operating income/(loss) (51 ) 311 (134 ) 126 Depreciation and amortization 131 303 4 438 Impairment of other long-lived assets 4 41 — 45 Restructuring charges 63 26 6 95 Share-based compensation expense 6 8 13 27 Other items (1) 1 — 28 29 Separation-related costs (2) — — 61 61 Business segment income/(loss) (3 ) $ 154 $ 689 $ (22 ) $ 821 (IN MILLIONS) Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Revenues $ 1,509 $ 1,682 $ — $ 3,191 Operating income/(loss) 44 451 (72 ) 423 Depreciation and amortization 110 251 3 364 Restructuring charges 26 10 11 47 Share-based compensation expense 8 6 12 26 Other items (1) — — 25 25 Business segment income/(loss) (3 ) $ 188 $ 718 $ (21 ) $ 885 (1) Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs, including strategic review costs, and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. (2) Separation-related costs consists of costs that would not have been incurred if Nielsen was not undertaking the separation of the Nielsen Global Connect business from the Nielsen Global Media business and positioning Global Connect and Global Media to operate as two independent companies. (3) 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)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Guarantees [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 1,019 $ 477 $ — $ 1,496 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 394 270 — 664 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 10 — 220 221 — 451 Depreciation and amortization — — 184 40 — 224 Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets — — 45 — — 45 Restructuring charges — — 28 56 — 84 Operating income/(loss) (10 ) — 148 (110 ) — 28 Interest income 1 161 — — (162 ) — Interest expense — (85 ) (167 ) (1 ) 162 (91 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 1 2 — 3 Other income/(expense), net — (1 ) (66 ) 63 — (4 ) Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (9 ) 75 (84 ) (46 ) — (64 ) Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — 85 (19 ) (28 ) — 38 Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (21 ) 29 83 — (91 ) — Equity on net income/(loss) of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income/(loss) (30 ) 189 (21 ) (73 ) (91 ) (26 ) Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4 — 4 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest (30 ) 189 (21 ) (77 ) (91 ) (30 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) 18 (6 ) 18 39 (50 ) 19 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 1 — 1 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests 18 (6 ) 18 38 (50 ) 18 Total comprehensive income/(loss) (12 ) 183 (3 ) (34 ) (141 ) (7 ) Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (12 ) $ 183 $ (3 ) $ (39 ) $ (141 ) $ (12 ) Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the three months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 1,057 $ 571 $ — $ 1,628 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 383 316 — 699 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 1 — 250 232 — 483 Depreciation and amortization — — 154 31 — 185 Restructuring charges — — 12 — — 12 Operating income/(loss) (1 ) — 258 (8 ) — 249 Interest income 1 201 1 1 (203 ) 1 Interest expense — (93 ) (209 ) (1 ) 203 (100 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — (14 ) 13 — (1 ) Other income/(expense), net — — (13 ) 13 — — Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries — 108 23 18 — 149 Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — (29 ) 37 (31 ) — (23 ) Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 123 33 63 — (219 ) — Net income/(loss) 123 112 123 (13 ) (219 ) 126 Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3 — 3 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest 123 112 123 (16 ) (219 ) 123 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (11 ) (26 ) (11 ) (16 ) 55 (9 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (11 ) (26 ) (11 ) (18 ) 55 (11 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 112 86 112 (29 ) (164 ) 117 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 5 — 5 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 112 $ 86 $ 112 $ (34 ) $ (164 ) $ 112 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,051 $ 1,004 $ — $ 3,055 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 817 568 — 1,385 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 11 — 512 443 — 966 Depreciation and amortization — — 366 72 — 438 Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets — — 45 — — 45 Restructuring charges — — 33 62 — 95 Operating income/(loss) (11 ) — 278 (141 ) — 126 Interest income 1 372 16 11 (399 ) 1 Interest expense — (176 ) (391 ) (17 ) 399 (185 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 18 (21 ) — (3 ) Other income/(expense), net — (1 ) (55 ) 51 — (5 ) Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (10 ) 195 (134 ) (117 ) — (66 ) Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — 53 (24 ) (2 ) — 27 Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries (38 ) 82 121 — (165 ) — Equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates — — (1 ) 1 — — Net income/(loss) (48 ) 330 (38 ) (118 ) (165 ) (39 ) Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest (48 ) 330 (38 ) (127 ) (165 ) (48 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (107 ) (32 ) (107 ) (97 ) 229 (114 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — (7 ) — (7 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (107 ) (32 ) (107 ) (90 ) 229 (107 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) (155 ) 298 (145 ) (215 ) 64 (153 ) Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ (155 ) $ 298 $ (145 ) $ (217 ) $ 64 $ (155 ) Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Revenues $ — $ — $ 2,070 $ 1,121 $ — $ 3,191 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below — — 776 618 — 1,394 Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 2 — 494 467 — 963 Depreciation and amortization — — 302 62 — 364 Restructuring charges — — 25 22 — 47 Operating income/(loss) (2 ) — 473 (48 ) — 423 Interest income 1 385 2 3 (388 ) 3 Interest expense — (186 ) (398 ) (3 ) 388 (199 ) Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net — — 6 (10 ) — (4 ) Other income/(expense), net — — (97 ) 102 — 5 Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates (1 ) 199 (14 ) 44 — 228 Benefit/(provision) for income taxes — (54 ) 59 (60 ) — (55 ) Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 167 89 122 — (378 ) — Net income/(loss) 166 234 167 (16 ) (378 ) 173 Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 7 — 7 Net income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest 166 234 167 (23 ) (378 ) 166 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) (5 ) (25 ) (5 ) 37 (5 ) (3 ) Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 2 — 2 Total other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interests (5 ) (25 ) (5 ) 35 (5 ) (5 ) Total comprehensive income/(loss) 161 209 162 21 (383 ) 170 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 9 — 9 Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to controlling interest $ 161 $ 209 $ 162 $ 12 $ (383 ) $ 161
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 $ 1 $ 107 $ 327 $ — $ 438 Trade and other receivables, net — — 635 496 — 1,131 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 366 138 — 504 Intercompany receivables — 1,791 227 281 (2,299 ) — Total current assets 3 1,792 1,335 1,242 (2,299 ) 2,073 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment, net — — 265 137 — 402 Operating lease right-of-use asset — — 181 196 377 Goodwill — — 5,106 878 — 5,984 Other intangible assets, net — — 5,450 (752 ) — 4,698 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 275 — 276 Other non-current assets — — 241 71 — 312 Equity investment in subsidiaries 1,993 1,294 3,167 — (6,454 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,633 95 143 (8,896 ) — Total assets $ 2,022 $ 11,719 $ 15,840 $ 2,190 $ (17,649 ) $ 14,122 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 1 $ 50 $ 541 $ 508 $ — $ 1,100 Deferred revenues — — 257 104 — 361 Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 80 205 6 — 291 Intercompany payables — 1 2,073 225 (2,299 ) — Total current liabilities 1 131 3,076 843 (2,299 ) 1,752 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt and finance lease obligations — 7,595 525 10 — 8,130 Operating lease liabilities — — 213 159 — 372 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 863 82 — 1,016 Intercompany loans — — 8,801 95 (8,896 ) — Other non-current liabilities — 64 369 212 — 645 Total liabilities 1 7,861 13,847 1,401 (11,195 ) 11,915 Total shareholders’ equity 2,021 3,858 1,993 603 (6,454 ) 2,021 Noncontrolling interests — — — 186 — 186 Total equity 2,021 3,858 1,993 789 (6,454 ) 2,207 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,022 $ 11,719 $ 15,840 $ 2,190 $ (17,649 ) $ 14,122 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet December 31, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Elimination Consolidated Assets: Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 2 $ — $ 78 $ 374 $ — $ 454 Trade and other receivables, net — — 539 564 — 1,103 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — — 296 124 — 420 Intercompany receivables 7 1,615 309 328 (2,259 ) - Total current assets 9 1,615 1,222 1,390 (2,259 ) 1,977 Non-current assets - Property, plant and equipment, net — — 303 163 — 466 Operating lease right-of-use asset — — 190 203 — 393 Goodwill — — 5,103 890 — 5,993 Other intangible assets, net — — 5,597 (716 ) — 4,881 Deferred tax assets 1 — — 275 — 276 Other non-current assets — — 260 73 — 333 Equity investment in subsidiaries 2,170 1,298 4,285 — (7,753 ) — Intercompany loans 25 8,887 98 1,605 (10,615 ) — Total assets $ 2,205 $ 11,800 $ 17,058 $ 3,883 $ (20,627 ) $ 14,319 Liabilities and equity: Current liabilities Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 10 $ 62 $ 564 $ 546 $ — $ 1,182 Deferred revenues — — 257 88 — 345 Income tax liabilities — — 4 56 — 60 Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings — 861 46 7 — 914 Intercompany payables — 3 1,948 308 (2,259 ) — Total current liabilities 10 926 2,819 1,005 (2,259 ) 2,501 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt and finance lease obligations — 7,302 80 13 — 7,395 Operating lease liabilities — — 213 157 — 370 Deferred tax liabilities — 71 887 94 — 1,052 Intercompany loans — — 10,516 99 (10,615 ) — Other non-current liabilities — 22 373 218 — 613 Total liabilities 10 8,321 14,888 1,586 (12,874 ) 11,931 Total shareholders’ equity 2,195 3,479 2,170 2,104 (7,753 ) 2,195 Noncontrolling interests — — — 193 — 193 Total equity 2,195 3,479 2,170 2,297 (7,753 ) 2,388 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,205 $ 11,800 $ 17,058 $ 3,883 $ (20,627 ) $ 14,319
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2020 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 312 $ (105 ) $ 245 Investing activities: Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (14 ) (14 ) (28 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (6 ) (8 ) (14 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (176 ) (42 ) (218 ) Other investing activities — — 1 (3 ) (2 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (195 ) (67 ) (262 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 165 — 165 Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs — 535 443 — 978 Repayments of debt — (1,029 ) — — (1,029 ) Cash dividends paid to shareholders (43 ) — — — (43 ) Activity from share-based compensation plans (1 ) — (4 ) — (5 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 2 — — — 2 Finance leases — — (33 ) (3 ) (36 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 56 444 (655 ) 144 (11 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 14 (50 ) (84 ) 141 21 Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (4 ) (16 ) (20 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1 1 29 (47 ) (16 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2 — 78 374 454 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3 $ 1 $ 107 $ 327 $ 438 Nielsen Holdings plc Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the six months ended June 30, 2019 Non- (IN MILLIONS) Parent Issuers Guarantor Guarantor Consolidated Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (7 ) $ 39 $ 245 $ (94 ) $ 183 Investing activities: - Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired — — (11 ) (49 ) (60 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets — — (24 ) (20 ) (44 ) Additions to intangible assets — — (158 ) (28 ) (186 ) Net cash used in investing activities — — (193 ) (97 ) (290 ) Financing activities: Net borrowings under revolving credit facility — — 296 — 296 Repayments of debt — (29 ) — — (29 ) Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings — — — (1 ) (1 ) Cash dividends paid to shareholders (249 ) — — — (249 ) Activity from share-based compensation plans — — (4 ) — (4 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 2 — — — 2 Finance leases — — (26 ) (3 ) (29 ) Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities 253 (10 ) (397 ) 146 (8 ) Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 6 (39 ) (131 ) 142 (22 ) Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1 ) — (81 ) (49 ) (131 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3 — 132 389 524 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 2 $ — $ 51 $ 340 $ 393

Background and Basis of Prese_2

Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)Countryshares	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)SegmentCountryshares	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment			2
Restructuring charges pre-tax	$ 84	$ 12	$ 95	$ 47
Number of countries in which entity operates | Country	100		100
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of earning per share under compensation plan | shares	8,996,021	4,252,823	8,996,021	4,349,778
Accounts receivable sold to third parties			$ 125
Proceed from sales of accounts receivable			125
Accounts receivable outstanding	$ 30		30		$ 85
Broad-Based Optimization Plan
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Restructuring cost and other permanent cost savings in pre-tax annual run rate savings			250
Restructuring charges pre-tax	$ 84		95
Broad-Based Optimization Plan | Minimum
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Restructuring charges pre-tax			150
Broad-Based Optimization Plan | Maximum
Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Restructuring charges pre-tax			$ 170

Revenue Recognition - Summary o

Revenue Recognition - Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment by Major Product Offerings and Timing of Revenue Recognition (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,496	$ 1,628	$ 3,055	$ 3,191
Operating Segments | Products Transferred at a Point in Time
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	147	145	284	276
Operating Segments | Products and Services Transferred Over Time
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,349	1,483	2,771	2,915
Connect | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	685	772	1,402	1,509
Connect | Operating Segments | Measure
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	495	546	1,005	1,085
Connect | Operating Segments | Predict/Activate
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	190	226	397	424
Media | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	811	856	1,653	1,682
Media | Operating Segments | Audience Measurement
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	603	622	1,218	1,227
Media | Operating Segments | Plan/Optimize
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 208	$ 234	$ 435	$ 455

Revenue Recognition - Summary_2

Revenue Recognition - Summary of Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 224	$ 218
Contract liabilities	$ 361	$ 346

Revenue Recognition - Additiona

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues [Abstract]
Increase in contract with customer asset			$ 187,000,000
Contract with customer asset offset			176,000,000
Increase in contract with customer liability			293,000,000
Contract with customer liability offset			276,000,000
Revenue, remaining performance obligation			$ 6,500,000,000
Revenue, remaining performance obligations, percentage	71.00%		71.00%
Deferred costs capitalized	$ 10,000,000		$ 10,000,000		$ 11,000,000
Amortization of deferred costs	1,000,000	$ 2,000,000	2,000,000	$ 4,000,000
Impairment loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition - Schedule

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Rollforward Incorporating Expected Credit Losses (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Allowance for accounts receivable
Balance Beginning of Period	$ 12
Charges to Expense	5
Deductions	(5)
Balance at End of Period	$ 12

Business Acquisitions - Additio

Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Other acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired	$ 28	$ 60

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Minimum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating and Finance leases, remaining lease terms	1 year
Maximum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating and Finance leases, remaining lease terms	30 years
Operating and Financing leases, options to extend leases term	5 years
Operating and Finance leases, options to terminate leases term	1 year

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$ 15	$ 25	$ 32	$ 37
Interest on lease liabilities	2	3	4	5
Total finance lease cost	17	28	36	42
Operating lease cost	32	36	63	58
Short-term lease cost			2
Sublease income	(1)	(1)	(2)	(2)
Total lease cost	$ 48	$ 63	$ 99	$ 98

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 377		$ 393
Other current liabilities	$ 104		$ 110
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent		us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating lease liabilities	$ 372		$ 370
Total operating lease liabilities	476		480
Finance leases
Property, plant and equipment, gross	401		393
Accumulated depreciation	(238)		(213)
Property, plant and equipment, net	163		180
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	$ 43		$ 53
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent		us-gaap:AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$ 79		$ 92
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations		us-gaap:LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Total finance lease liabilities	$ 122		$ 145
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from finance leases	(4)	$ (5)
Operating cash flows from operating leases	(64)	(65)
Financing cash flows from finance leases	(36)	(29)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	12	13
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 27	$ 32
Weighted-average remaining lease term--finance leases	4 years	3 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term--operating leases	7 years	9 years
Weighted-average discount rate--finance leases	5.96%	6.50%
Weighted-average discount rate--operating leases	4.29%	4.50%
Other Intangible Assets
Finance leases
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 23		24
Accumulated depreciation	(17)		(13)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 6		$ 11

Leases - Schedule of Annual Mat

Leases - Schedule of Annual Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases, July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020	$ 67
Operating Leases, 2021	107
Operating Leases, 2022	88
Operating Leases, 2023	63
Operating Leases, 2024	46
Operating Leases, 2025	29
Operating Leases, Thereafter	160
Operating Leases, Total lease payments	560
Operating Leases, Less imputed interest	(84)
Operating Leases, Total	476	$ 480
Finance Leases, July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020	28
Finance Leases, 2021	43
Finance Leases, 2022	28
Finance Leases, 2023	19
Finance Leases, 2024	12
Finance Leases, 2025	4
Finance Leases, Thereafter	5
Finance Leases, Total lease payments	139
Finance Leases, Less imputed interest	(17)
Finance Leases, Total	$ 122	$ 145

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss		$ 0
Goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	$ 40,000,000			$ 40,000,000
Amortization expense, intangible assets	182,000,000		$ 136,000,000	350,000,000	$ 274,000,000
Amortization expense, computer software	134,000,000		$ 86,000,000	255,000,000	$ 173,000,000
Purchased Software
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net book value	25,000,000			25,000,000
Internally Developed Software
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net book value	1,290,000,000			$ 1,290,000,000
Media
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of other intangibles net	$ 37,000,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	$ 5,993
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	13
Effect of foreign currency translation	(22)
Balance ending	5,984
Connect
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	331
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	20
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8)
Balance ending	343
Media
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance beginning	5,662
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	(7)
Effect of foreign currency translation	(14)
Balance ending	$ 5,641

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	$ 6,480	$ 6,310
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(3,703)	(3,350)
Trade names and trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	145	144
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(113)	(109)
Customer - related intangibles
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	3,117	3,153
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(1,844)	(1,764)
Covenants-not-to-compete
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	37	37
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(36)	(36)
Content database
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	168	168
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(47)	(40)
Computer software
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	2,830	2,626
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(1,515)	(1,260)
Patents and other
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortized intangibles, Gross Amounts	183	182
Amortized intangibles, Accumulated Amortization	(148)	(141)
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 Income/(Loss) by Component - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Tax by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	$ 2,231	$ 2,989	$ 2,388	$ 3,043
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss	(9)	(1)	(13)	(1)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	19	(9)	(114)	(3)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	2	(7)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Balance	2,207	2,988	2,207	2,988
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(872)	(768)	(776)	(779)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			(90)	20
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(90)	20
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(7)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders			(83)	18
Balance	(859)	(761)	(859)	(761)
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(19)	11
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			(38)	(24)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss			7	(5)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(31)	(29)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders			(31)	(29)
Balance	(50)	(18)	(50)	(18)
Post Employment Benefits
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance	(206)	(338)	(210)	(342)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss			6	6
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			7	6
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders			7	6
Balance	(203)	(336)	(203)	(336)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Balance			(1,005)	(1,110)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications			(127)	(4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss			13	1
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(114)	(3)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(7)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders			(107)	(5)
Balance	$ (1,112)	$ (1,115)	$ (1,112)	$ (1,115)

Changes in and Reclassificati_4

Changes in and Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component - Summary of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
(Benefit)/provision for income taxes	$ (38)	$ 23	$ (27)	$ 55
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	30	(123)	48	(166)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	9	1	13	1
Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders			(7)	5
Cash Flow Hedges | Interest rate contracts | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income)/Loss
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest (income)/expense	8	(3)	10	(7)
(Benefit)/provision for income taxes	(2)	1	(3)	2
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	6	(2)	7	(5)
Amortization of Actuarial Loss
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	4	4	8	7
(Benefit)/provision for income taxes	(1)	(1)	(2)	(1)
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders	$ 3	$ 3	$ 6	$ 6

Restructuring Activities - Addi

Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 84	$ 12	$ 95	$ 47
Restructuring reserve	92		92		$ 35
Restructuring actions for remaining liabilities, Current	85		85
Broad-Based Optimization Plan
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 84		$ 95
Nielsen's Plan and Automation Initiatives
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$ 7		$ 42

Restructuring Activities - Summ

Restructuring Activities - Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 35
Charges	88	[1]
Payments	(31)
Ending Balance	$ 92
[1]	Excludes charges related to operating lease right-of-use assets of $7 million.

Restructuring Activities - Su_2

Restructuring Activities - Summary of Changes in Liabilities for Restructuring Activities (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 7

Fair Value Measurements - Finan

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets:
Asset		$ 27	$ 28
Liabilities:
Liabilities		92	48
Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[1]	67	22
Deferred Compensation Liabilities
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[2]	25	26
Plan Assets for Deferred Compensation
Assets:
Asset	[3]	25	26
Investment In Mutual Funds
Assets:
Asset	[4]	2	2
Level 1
Assets:
Asset		27	28
Liabilities:
Liabilities		25	26
Level 1 | Deferred Compensation Liabilities
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[2]	25	26
Level 1 | Plan Assets for Deferred Compensation
Assets:
Asset	[3]	25	26
Level 1 | Investment In Mutual Funds
Assets:
Asset	[4]	2	2
Level 2
Liabilities:
Liabilities		67	22
Level 2 | Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Liabilities:
Liabilities	[1]	$ 67	$ 22
[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 equity 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 equity 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 equity securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other income/(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 ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Pre-tax gains (losses) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense expected to be recognized in next twelve months		$ (27,000,000)
Pre-tax non-cash impairment charge	$ 45,000,000	45,000,000
Definite lived intangible assets impairment charges	37,000,000
Impairment of property plant and equipment	8,000,000
Foreign Currency Exchange Contract
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments		(3,000,000)	$ 0
Notional amount of outstanding derivative financial instruments	$ 111,000,000	$ 111,000,000		$ 125,000,000

Fair Value Measurements - Outst

Fair Value Measurements - Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
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	2020-07
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	2020-07
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	2020-10
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	2021-10
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	2022-07
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on April 2023
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Maturity Date	2023-04
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	2023-05
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on June 2023
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 250,000,000
Maturity Date	2023-06
US Dollar term loan floating-to-fixed rate swaps maturing on July 2023
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Maturity Date	2023-07

Fair Value Measurements - Sched

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) - Interest Expense - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
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)	$ 91	$ 100	$ 185	$ 199
Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, net of tax	$ (6)	$ 2	$ (7)	$ 5

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - Interest Rate Swap Arrangements - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 2
Other Non-Current Liabilities
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 65	$ 22

Fair Value Measurements - Deriv

Fair Value Measurements - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion)	$ 6	$ 25	$ 53	$ 33
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain)/Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ 8	$ (3)	$ 10	$ (7)

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_3

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	3.77%	4.40%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 8,299	$ 8,164
Finance lease and other financing obligations	122	145
Total debt and other financing arrangements	8,421	8,309
Less: Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease and other financing obligations and other short-term borrowings	291	914
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	8,130	7,395
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 8,205	$ 8,218
Senior secured credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	2.81%	3.52%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 5,083	$ 3,952
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 4,998	$ 3,958
Debenture loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Weighted average interest rate	5.29%	5.22%
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 3,216	$ 4,211
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	3,207	4,259
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 1.93%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,072	1,086
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	1,056	1,079
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.18%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	2,252	2,263
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	2,174	2,273
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	601	603
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	594	606
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2025 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	459
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	468
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2025 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 4.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	534
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	544
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor or Libor based variable rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	165
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	162
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount		799
Total long-term debt, Fair Value		802
Senior debenture loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	424	622
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	425	629
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	2,295	2,293
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	2,290	2,312
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount	497	497
Total long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 492	516
Other Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt, Carrying Amount		1
Total long-term debt, Fair Value		$ 1

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_4

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2019EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2018
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2025 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 3.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 420,000,000	€ 420,000,000
Debt instrument, variable rate	3.75%	3.75%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2025	2025
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2025 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 4.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 550,000,000	$ 550,000,000
Debt instrument, variable rate	4.75%	4.75%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2025	2025
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 1.93%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 1,125,000,000	$ 1,125,000,000
Debt instrument, variable rate	1.93%	1.93%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2023	2023
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.18%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 2,303,000,000	$ 2,303,000,000
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.18%	2.18%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2023	2023
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 545,000,000	€ 545,000,000
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.50%	2.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2023	2023
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor or Libor based variable rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 850,000,000	$ 850,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2023	2023
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 800,000,000	$ 800,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2020	2020
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.50%		4.50%		4.50%
Senior debenture loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 425,000,000	$ 425,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2021	2021
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.50%		5.50%		5.50%
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 2,300,000,000	$ 2,300,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2022	2022
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.00%		5.00%		5.00%
Senior Debenture Loan Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2025	2025
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.00%		5.00%		5.00%

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_5

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019EUR (€)	Jul. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Jun. 30, 2020EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Wrote-off certain previously capitalized deferred financing fees	$ 1,000,000
Debt refinancing costs	$ 9,000,000
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €		€ 545,000,000		€ 545,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year	2023	2023
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.50%	2.50%
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023 | Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50% | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redeemed principal amount | €			€ 545,000,000
Dollar Term B-5 Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 550,000,000
Dollar Term B-5 Loans | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	2.75%
Dollar Term B-5 Loans | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	3.75%
Euro Term B-3 Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €				€ 420,000,000
Euro Term B-3 Loans | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			660,000,000
Euro Term B-3 Loans | Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable rate	3.75%
Dollar Term B-5 Loans and Euro Term B-3 Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.50%			5.50%
Dollar Term B-5 Loans and Euro Term B-3 Loans | 4.500% Notes Due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redeemed principal amount	$ 800,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.50%			4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2020
Dollar Term B-5 Loans and Euro Term B-3 Loans | 5.500% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 625,000,000
Debt instrument redeemed principal amount	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.50%			5.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2021
Debt instrument remaining principal amount	$ 425,000,000
Incremental Euro Term B-3 Loans | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €			€ 240,000,000

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_6

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
For July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020		$ 197
2021		504
2022		2,399
2023		3,713
2024		10
2025	[1]	1,476
Total		$ 8,299	$ 8,164
[1]	If the existing € 545 €

Long-term Debt and Other Fina_7

Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements - Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019EUR (€)
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity, description	If the existing €545 million Senior secured term loan and $2,303 million Senior secured term loan have not been repaid or refinanced (subject to additional limitations in the Credit Agreement) on or prior to the date that is 91 days prior to October 4, 2023, the €420 million senior secured loan and $550 million senior secured loan are due on October 4, 2023.
Senior Secured Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value	$ 550,000,000	€ 420,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 4, 2023
Euro Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.50% | Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | €		€ 545,000,000		€ 545,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 4, 2023
Libor Based Variable Rate of 2.18% | Senior Secured Term Loan Facility Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument face value | $	$ 2,303,000,000		$ 2,303,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 4, 2023

Shareholders' Equity - Common S

Shareholders' Equity - Common Stock Activity (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020shares
Actual number of shares of common stock outstanding
Beginning of period	356,149,883
Shares of common stock issued through compensation plans	608,285
Employee benefit trust activity	(4,204)
End of period	356,753,964

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Dividends Paid (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.06	$ 0.35	$ 0.12	$ 0.70
Installment One
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date			Feb. 20, 2020		Feb. 21, 2019
Record Date			Mar. 5, 2020		Mar. 7, 2019
Payment Date			Mar. 19, 2020		Mar. 21, 2019
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.06		$ 0.35
Installment Two
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date			Apr. 16, 2020		Apr. 18, 2019
Record Date			Jun. 4, 2020		Jun. 5, 2019
Payment Date			Jun. 18, 2020		Jun. 19, 2019
Dividend Per Share			$ 0.06		$ 0.35
Installment Three
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date					Jul. 18, 2019
Record Date					Aug. 22, 2019
Payment Date					Sep. 5, 2019
Dividend Per Share					$ 0.35
Installment Four
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date					Nov. 3, 2019
Record Date					Nov. 21, 2019
Payment Date					Dec. 5, 2019
Dividend Per Share					$ 0.06

Shareholders' Equity - Addition

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 16, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 11, 2015	Oct. 23, 2014	Jul. 25, 2013
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share		$ 0.06	$ 0.35	$ 0.12	$ 0.70
Cost of treasury stock		$ 2,000,000,000		$ 2,000,000,000		$ 500,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Stock repurchase program expiration date				Aug. 6, 2020
Stock repurchase program approval date				May 12, 2020
Stock repurchase program authority expiration date				May 12, 2025
Program executed within limitations of authority granted date				Aug. 6, 2015
Cumulative shares repurchased		39,426,521		39,426,521
Average price of common stock purchased				$ 44.95
Payments for repurchase of common stock		$ 1,772,000,000		$ 1,772,000,000
Repurchases of common stock				0
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	Jul. 16, 2020
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.06
Cash dividend, date to be Paid	Sep. 3, 2020
Cash dividend, recorded date	Aug. 20, 2020

Shareholders' Equity - Summary

Shareholders' Equity - Summary of Approved Authorized Shares for Repurchase Program (Detail) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020	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

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rates before discrete tax items	62.00%	31.00%	62.00%	31.00%
Income tax expense (benefit) before discrete tax items	$ (40)	$ 46	$ (41)	$ 71
(Benefit)/provision for income taxes	$ (38)	$ 23	$ (27)	$ 55
Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits					$ 164

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Segments - Business Segment Inf

Segments - Business Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 1,496	$ 1,628	$ 3,055	$ 3,191
Operating income/(loss)		28	249	126	423
Depreciation and amortization		224	185	438	364
Impairment of other long-lived assets		45		45
Restructuring charges		84	12	95	47
Share-based compensation expense		11	11	27	26
Other items	[1]	8	13	29	25
Separation-related costs	[2]	26		61
Business segment income/(loss)	[3]	426	470	821	885
Total assets		14,122		14,122		$ 14,319
Operating Segments | Connect
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		685	772	1,402	1,509
Operating income/(loss)		(36)	46	(51)	44
Depreciation and amortization		66	55	131	110
Impairment of other long-lived assets		4		4
Restructuring charges		55	4	63	26
Share-based compensation expense		1	4	6	8
Other items	[1]	1		1
Business segment income/(loss)	[3]	91	109	154	188
Total assets		4,481		4,481		4,376
Operating Segments | Media
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		811	856	1,653	1,682
Operating income/(loss)		120	237	311	451
Depreciation and amortization		156	128	303	251
Impairment of other long-lived assets		41		41
Restructuring charges		25	3	26	10
Share-based compensation expense		4	3	8	6
Business segment income/(loss)	[3]	346	371	689	718
Total assets		9,457		9,457		9,675
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)		(56)	(34)	(134)	(72)
Depreciation and amortization		2	2	4	3
Restructuring charges		4	5	6	11
Share-based compensation expense		6	4	13	12
Other items	[1]	7	13	28	25
Separation-related costs	[2]	26		61
Business segment income/(loss)	[3]	(11)	$ (10)	(22)	$ (21)
Total assets		$ 184		$ 184		$ 268
[1]	Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.  Other items primarily consist of business optimization costs, including strategic review costs, and transaction related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.
[2]	Separation-related costs consists of costs that would not have been incurred if Nielsen was not undertaking the separation of the Nielsen Global Connect business from the Nielsen Global Media business and positioning Global Connect and Global Media to operate as two independent companies.
[3]	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)	Jun. 30, 2019
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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,496	$ 1,628	$ 3,055	$ 3,191
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	664	699	1,385	1,394
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	451	483	966	963
Depreciation and amortization	224	185	438	364
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	45		45
Restructuring charges	84	12	95	47
Operating income/(loss)	28	249	126	423
Interest income		1	1	3
Interest expense	(91)	(100)	(185)	(199)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	3	(1)	(3)	(4)
Other income/(expense), net	(4)		(5)	5
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	(64)	149	(66)	228
Benefit/(provision) for income taxes	38	(23)	27	(55)
Net income/(loss)	(26)	126	(39)	173
Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	3	9	7
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(30)	123	(48)	166
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	19	(9)	(114)	(3)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	2	(7)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(7)	117	(153)	170
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	5	2	9
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(12)	112	(155)	161
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	10	1	11	2
Operating income/(loss)	(10)	(1)	(11)	(2)
Interest income	1	1	1	1
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	(9)		(10)	(1)
Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries	(21)	123	(38)	167
Net income/(loss)	(30)	123	(48)	166
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(30)	123	(48)	166
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(12)	112	(155)	161
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(12)	112	(155)	161
Issuers
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Interest income	161	201	372	385
Interest expense	(85)	(93)	(176)	(186)
Other income/(expense), net	(1)		(1)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	75	108	195	199
Benefit/(provision) for income taxes	85	(29)	53	(54)
Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries	29	33	82	89
Net income/(loss)	189	112	330	234
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	189	112	330	234
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(6)	(26)	(32)	(25)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(6)	(26)	(32)	(25)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	183	86	298	209
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	183	86	298	209
Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	1,019	1,057	2,051	2,070
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	394	383	817	776
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	220	250	512	494
Depreciation and amortization	184	154	366	302
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	45		45
Restructuring charges	28	12	33	25
Operating income/(loss)	148	258	278	473
Interest income		1	16	2
Interest expense	(167)	(209)	(391)	(398)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	1	(14)	18	6
Other income/(expense), net	(66)	(13)	(55)	(97)
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	(84)	23	(134)	(14)
Benefit/(provision) for income taxes	(19)	37	(24)	59
Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries	83	63	121	122
Equity on net income/(loss) of affiliates	(1)		(1)
Net income/(loss)	(21)	123	(38)	167
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(21)	123	(38)	167
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	18	(11)	(107)	(5)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(3)	112	(145)	162
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(3)	112	(145)	162
Non-Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	477	571	1,004	1,121
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	270	316	568	618
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	221	232	443	467
Depreciation and amortization	40	31	72	62
Restructuring charges	56		62	22
Operating income/(loss)	(110)	(8)	(141)	(48)
Interest income		1	11	3
Interest expense	(1)	(1)	(17)	(3)
Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net	2	13	(21)	(10)
Other income/(expense), net	63	13	51	102
Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income/(loss) of affiliates	(46)	18	(117)	44
Benefit/(provision) for income taxes	(28)	(31)	(2)	(60)
Equity on net income/(loss) of affiliates	1		1
Net income/(loss)	(73)	(13)	(118)	(16)
Less net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	3	9	7
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(77)	(16)	(127)	(23)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	39	(16)	(97)	37
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	2	(7)	2
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	38	(18)	(90)	35
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(34)	(29)	(215)	21
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	5	2	9
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(39)	(34)	(217)	12
Consolidation Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Interest income	(162)	(203)	(399)	(388)
Interest expense	162	203	399	388
Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries	(91)	(219)	(165)	(378)
Net income/(loss)	(91)	(219)	(165)	(378)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(91)	(219)	(165)	(378)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	(50)	55	229	(5)
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	(50)	55	229	(5)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(141)	(164)	64	(383)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Nielsen shareholders	$ (141)	$ (164)	$ 64	$ (383)

Guarantor Financial Informati_5

Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 438		$ 454
Trade and other receivables, net	1,131		1,103
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	504		420
Total current assets	2,073		1,977
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	402		466
Operating lease right-of-use asset	377		393
Goodwill	5,984		5,993
Other intangible assets, net	4,698		4,881
Deferred tax assets	276		276
Other non-current assets	312		333
Total assets	14,122		14,319
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	1,100		1,182
Deferred revenues	361		345
Income tax liabilities			60
Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings	291		914
Total current liabilities	1,752		2,501
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	8,130		7,395
Operating lease liabilities	372		370
Deferred tax liabilities	1,016		1,052
Other non-current liabilities	645		613
Total liabilities	11,915		11,931
Total shareholders’ equity	2,021		2,195
Noncontrolling interests	186		193
Total equity	2,207	$ 2,231	2,388	$ 2,988	$ 2,989	$ 3,043
Total liabilities and equity	14,122		14,319
Parent
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	3		2
Intercompany receivables			7
Total current assets	3		9
Non-current assets
Deferred tax assets	1		1
Equity investment in subsidiaries	1,993		2,170
Intercompany loans	25		25
Total assets	2,022		2,205
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	1		10
Total current liabilities	1		10
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities	1		10
Total shareholders’ equity	2,021		2,195
Total equity	2,021		2,195
Total liabilities and equity	2,022		2,205
Issuers
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1
Intercompany receivables	1,791		1,615
Total current assets	1,792		1,615
Non-current assets
Equity investment in subsidiaries	1,294		1,298
Intercompany loans	8,633		8,887
Total assets	11,719		11,800
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	50		62
Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings	80		861
Intercompany payables	1		3
Total current liabilities	131		926
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	7,595		7,302
Deferred tax liabilities	71		71
Other non-current liabilities	64		22
Total liabilities	7,861		8,321
Total shareholders’ equity	3,858		3,479
Total equity	3,858		3,479
Total liabilities and equity	11,719		11,800
Guarantor
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	107		78
Trade and other receivables, net	635		539
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	366		296
Intercompany receivables	227		309
Total current assets	1,335		1,222
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	265		303
Operating lease right-of-use asset	181		190
Goodwill	5,106		5,103
Other intangible assets, net	5,450		5,597
Other non-current assets	241		260
Equity investment in subsidiaries	3,167		4,285
Intercompany loans	95		98
Total assets	15,840		17,058
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	541		564
Deferred revenues	257		257
Income tax liabilities			4
Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings	205		46
Intercompany payables	2,073		1,948
Total current liabilities	3,076		2,819
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	525		80
Operating lease liabilities	213		213
Deferred tax liabilities	863		887
Intercompany loans	8,801		10,516
Other non-current liabilities	369		373
Total liabilities	13,847		14,888
Total shareholders’ equity	1,993		2,170
Total equity	1,993		2,170
Total liabilities and equity	15,840		17,058
Non-Guarantor
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	327		374
Trade and other receivables, net	496		564
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	138		124
Intercompany receivables	281		328
Total current assets	1,242		1,390
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	137		163
Operating lease right-of-use asset	196		203
Goodwill	878		890
Other intangible assets, net	(752)		(716)
Deferred tax assets	275		275
Other non-current assets	71		73
Intercompany loans	143		1,605
Total assets	2,190		3,883
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	508		546
Deferred revenues	104		88
Income tax liabilities			56
Current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations and short-term borrowings	6		7
Intercompany payables	225		308
Total current liabilities	843		1,005
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	10		13
Operating lease liabilities	159		157
Deferred tax liabilities	82		94
Intercompany loans	95		99
Other non-current liabilities	212		218
Total liabilities	1,401		1,586
Total shareholders’ equity	603		2,104
Noncontrolling interests	186		193
Total equity	789		2,297
Total liabilities and equity	2,190		3,883
Consolidation Eliminations
Current assets
Intercompany receivables	(2,299)		(2,259)
Total current assets	(2,299)		(2,259)
Non-current assets
Equity investment in subsidiaries	(6,454)		(7,753)
Intercompany loans	(8,896)		(10,615)
Total assets	(17,649)		(20,627)
Current liabilities
Intercompany payables	(2,299)		(2,259)
Total current liabilities	(2,299)		(2,259)
Non-current liabilities
Intercompany loans	(8,896)		(10,615)
Total liabilities	(11,195)		(12,874)
Total shareholders’ equity	(6,454)		(7,753)
Total equity	(6,454)		(7,753)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (17,649)		$ (20,627)

Guarantor Financial Informati_6

Guarantor Financial Information - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	$ 245	$ 183
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(28)	(60)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(14)	(44)
Additions to intangible assets	(218)	(186)
Other investing activities	(2)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(262)	(290)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	165	296
Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	978
Repayments of debt	(1,029)	(29)
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings		(1)
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(43)	(249)
Activity from share-based compensation plans	(5)	(4)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2	2
Finance leases	(36)	(29)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	(11)	(8)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	21	(22)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(20)	(2)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16)	(131)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	454	524
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	438	393
Parent
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	(13)	(7)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(43)	(249)
Activity from share-based compensation plans	(1)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2	2
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	56	253
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	14	6
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1	(1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3	2
Issuers
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	51	39
Financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	535
Repayments of debt	(1,029)	(29)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	444	(10)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(50)	(39)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1
Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	312	245
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(14)	(11)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(6)	(24)
Additions to intangible assets	(176)	(158)
Other investing activities	1
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(195)	(193)
Financing activities:
Net borrowings under revolving credit facility	165	296
Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	443
Activity from share-based compensation plans	(4)	(4)
Finance leases	(33)	(26)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	(655)	(397)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(84)	(131)
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(4)	(2)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	29	(81)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	78	132
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	107	51
Non-Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	(105)	(94)
Investing activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired	(14)	(49)
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets	(8)	(20)
Additions to intangible assets	(42)	(28)
Other investing activities	(3)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(67)	(97)
Financing activities:
Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings		(1)
Finance leases	(3)	(3)
Settlement of intercompany and other financing activities	144	146
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	141	142
Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(16)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(47)	(49)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	374	389
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 327	$ 340