NBC TIES FOR #1 IN 18-49 FOR A SECOND WEEK IN A ROW AND REMAINS TIED FOR THE SEASON-TO-DATE LEAD

NBC TIES FOR #1 IN 18-49 FOR A SECOND WEEK IN A ROW AND REMAINS TIED FOR THE SEASON-TO-DATE LEAD

NBC WINS THE PRIMETIME WEEK IN ADULTS 18-34, AND GROWS TWO YEARS YOUNGER THROUGH THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE SEASON

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' BEARS-PACKERS TELECAST TIES AS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN 18-49, THE FOURTH TIME IN FIVE WEEKS 'SNF' HAS EARNED AT LEAST A SHARE OF THE TOP RANKING

'HEROES' IS MONDAY NIGHT'S #1 SHOW IN ADULTS 18-49, RANKS #6 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS FOR THE WEEK

THROUGH TWO WEEKS, 'THE OFFICE' IMPROVES NBC'S THURSDAY 9 P.M. SLOT BY 41 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND IS THE SEASON'S #1 COMEDY IN 18-49

NEW WEDNESDAY LINEUP OF 'DEAL OR NO DEAL,' 'BIONIC WOMAN' AND 'LIFE' PROPEL NBC TO 37 PERCENT GROWTH VERSUS LAST YEAR

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' SWEEPS ITS TIME PERIOD BY ALL KEY MEASURES AND RANKS AS THE SEASON'S #1 10 P.M. DRAMA IN 18-49

BURBANK, Calif. � October 9, 2007 � A second week of strong ratings from new and returning series propelled NBC to its second consecutive tie for first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. The network averaged a 3.6 rating, 10 share in 18-49 and 9.2 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. The last time NBC ranked #1 in 18-49 for the first two weeks of the season was the start of the 2003-04 season.

NBC won the week outright among adults 18-34 (3.3). NBC also won the week in all key adult-male demographics -- men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers ranked #1 among all programs this week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, tied with ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." It's the fourth time in five weeks "NBC Sunday Night Football" has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in 18-49. Excluding NBC's Sunday NFL pre-kickoff telecast, NBC had a total of four shows in the week's top 10 in adults 18-49, with "NBC Sunday Night Football" (#1, tied), "Heroes" (#6), "The Office" (#8, tied) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (#10, tied).

Among men 18-49, "NBC Sunday Night Football" ranked #1, "Heroes" was #3, "The Office" ranked #4 (tied with "CSI") and "Bionic Woman" was #8 (excluding NBC's Sunday NFL pre-game telecasts).

Among adults 18-34 this week, "NBC Sunday Night Football" ranked #2, "Heroes #4 and "The Office" #6.

NBC currently ranks #1 through the first two weeks of the season in adults 18-49 (tie), adults 18-34 and all key male demographics � men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54

Through the first two weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC's median age has decreased by a full two years, to 45.2 years this season from 47.2 years at this point last season. In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.5 years (to 49.6 from 47.1) and CBS's median age has increased to 52.5 years from 51.7 at this point last season. Fox's median age has declined from 44.1 years to 41.9 years, reflecting in part the absence of baseball on Fox's primetime schedule so far this season versus last season. (Note: year-to-year comparisons based on the periods September 24-October 7, 2007 and September 18-October 8, 2006.)

Through the first two weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC has generated significant growth among men 18-34 (+21 percent). NBC is also up among men 18-49 (+3 percent) and adults 18-34 (+3 percent) and is the only network exhibiting year-to-year growth in these demographics.

Primetime averages for the week of October 1-7 in adults 18-49 were ABC and NBC (3.6/10), CBS (3.3/9), Fox (2.7/7), Univision (1.4/4), CW (1.2/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.4 million), ABC (10.8 million), NBC (9.2 million), Fox (7.0 million), Univision (3.2 million), CW (2.9 million) and Telemundo (1.0 million

NBC has ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 for four of the last five weeks. The last time NBC ranked #1 for four out of five weeks (excluding Olympics) were the weeks of May 31, 2004 through June 28, 2004.

NBC matched its 18-49 rating for the comparable calendar week of last season (a 3.6 for the week of October 2-8, 2006). Fox (2.7) also matched its year-ago weekly rating, while ABC declined by 10 percent in 18-49 (3.6 vs. 4.0) and CBS was down 13 percent in 18-49 versus its year-ago weekly performance (3.3 vs. 3.8).

NBC highlights for the week of October 1-7:

* On Sunday, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers propelled NBC to a nightlong win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult male demographics.

* On Monday, "Heroes" was the top-rated show of the night in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, despite expanded competition from a two-hour "Dancing With the Stars."

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period, sweeping the hour in adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. Among adults, men and women 18-34, "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS competition combined. In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped "Boston legal" by a 55 percent margin and "Cane" by 80 percent.

* Season to date, Tuesday's "Law & Order: SVU" is television's #1 10 p.m. drama in 18-49.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" gained 10 percent in 18-49 and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, against such potent competition as ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "House."

* NBC's new Wednesday lineup of "Deal or No Deal," "Bionic Woman" and "Life" was up 22 percent in 18-49 and 51 percent in total viewers versus NBC's second Wednesday of last season and up 50 percent in 18-49 and 84 percent in total viewers versus the comparable first Wednesday of October last year (the third week of the season).

* The Wednesday edition of "Deal or No Deal" posted NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in nine months, up 4 percent in the demo and 22 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

* Also on Wednesday, "Bionic Woman" was up 52 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in this time period during the 2006-07 season, ranking #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in all key adult male demos in this fiercely competitive time period. At 10 p.m., "Life" finished within two shares of the time period lead in 18-49 and won its hour in men 18-34.

* Through the first two weeks of the season, "Bionic Woman" is tied with ABC's "Private practice" as the #1 new series in adults 18-49.

* On Thursday, the second-season debut of "30 Rock," featuring a guest appearance by Jerry Seinfeld, set a new series record in adults 18-49.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" continues to deliver robust ratings in its new 9 p.m. time period. Through the first two weeks of the season, "The Office" is up 41 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's performance in this slot the first two weeks of last season. "The Office" tied CBS's "Two and a Half Men" as the week's #1 comedy in 18-49 and is the #1 comedy outright in 18-49 for the season to date.

* On Friday, the second-season debut of "Friday Night Lights" finished one-tenth of a rating point out of first place in adults 18-49 and won its hour among men 18-49 and men 18-34.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of October 1-7:

On Monday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (3.2 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 (tied with CBS' comedy lineup) and total viewers and #1 in men 18-34 (tied with Fox's "Prison Break") and men 18-49. As it had with every previous telecast, "Chuck" grew from half-hour to half-hour, gaining 6 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.3 from a 3.1).

At 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (5.5/13 in 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall) was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49, despite exceptional competition from an expanded, two-hour edition of "Dancing With the Stars." "Heroes" won its hour among adults 18-34 and all key adult male demographics.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Journeyman" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) won the hour among men 18-34. "Journeyman" significantly outpaced NBC's most-recent in-season primetime performance in this time period, posting gains of 19 percent in 18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.7) and 24 percent in total viewers (8.2 million vs. 6.6 million) versus NBC's performance in this hour during the last May sweep.

On Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "The Singing Bee" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) was up 10 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's 2006-07 season average for this half-hour (2.3 vs. 2.1).

Tuesday from 8:30-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) was up 10 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week's telecast (3.0/8 in 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall from 8-10 p.m.). "Loser" was also up 10 percent in 18-49 versus the comparable year-ago result (a 3.0 on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 9-10 p.m.).

"Loser" gained 20 percent in 18-49 rating and 12 percent in total viewers from its first to its third half hour, despite potent competition that included ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and Fox's "House."

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.5/12 in 18-49, 11.6 million viewers overall) dominated the time period in all key ratings categories, sweeping the hour in adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54, as well as total viewers. In adults, men and women 18-34, "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS competition of "Boston Legal" and "Cane" combined. In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped its nearest competitor by 55 percent in adults 18-49 (4.5 vs. a 2.9 for "Boston Legal") and outperformed the second week of "Cane" by 80 percent in primetime's key demo (4.5 vs. a 2.5 for "Cane").

"Law & Order: SVU" tied for the #1 rating of the week for a 10 p.m. drama in adults 18-49, tying CBS's "CSI: Miami" and topping such telecasts as "Brothers & Sisters," "Without a Trace," "Big Shots," "CSI: NY," "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Cane." Season to date, "Law & Order: SVU" is television's #1 10 p.m. drama in 18-49 with an average 4.7 rating.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the hour in nine months (since December 20, 2006) to rank #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures. Versus the prior week, Wednesday's "Deal" was up 4 percent in 18-49 and 22 percent in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, "Deal" increased by 15 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.0 from a 2.6) and by 17 percent in overall viewership (to 12.1 million from 10.3 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Bionic Woman" (4.1/11 share in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in all key adult male demographics (men 18-34, 18-49, 25-54). "Bionic Woman" was up 52 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average in this time period last season (4.1 vs. 2.7). "Bionic" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 46 percent in 18-49 rating.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Life" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) finished within two shares of the time period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among men 18-34.

NBC's new Wednesday lineup was up 22 percent in 18-49 and 51 percent in total viewers versus NBC's second Wednesday of last season (a 2.7/7 in 18-49 and 6.8 million viewers overall on September 27, 2006). Versus the comparable first Wednesday of October last year (the third week of the season), NBC this week was up 50 percent in 18-49 and 84 percent in total viewers (3.3/9 and 10.3 million viewers versus a 2.2/6 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers on October 4, 2006)

Season to date, NBC's new Wednesday lineup is up 37 percent in adults 18-49 versus the network's Wednesday performance at this point last season (a 3.7 for the period of September 24-October 7, 2007 vs. a 2.7 for the period of September 18-October 8, 2006.)

On Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.3/10 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) ranked #2 for the time period in adults 18-49. In adults and men 18-34, "Earl" won the half-hour over ABC's "Ugly Betty," CBS" "Survivor" and Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader."

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, the second-season debut of "30 Rock" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) set a new series record in adults 18-49 (its previous high had been a 3.2 on December 7, 2006). "30 Rock" was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating versus its fourth quarter 2006 average (a 2.8) and up 36 percent in 18-49 versus its second quarter 2007 program average (a 2.5). "30 Rock," which increased on its "Earl" lead-in by 3 percent in 18-49 rating, ranked #1 in the time slot in adults 18-34 (tied with "Ugly Betty") and in men 18-34.

Thursday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.6/11 in 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) jumped 44 percent versus NBC's 18-49 rating in this highly competitive time period during week two of last season (4.6 vs. 3.2). Through two weeks, "The Office" has lifted NBC by 41 percent in 18-49 rating in this time period versus the first two weeks of last season. "The Office" built on its lead-in by 35 percent in 18-49 and won the hour among men 18-34. In weekly rankings, "The Office" tied CBS's "Two and a Half Men" as the #1 comedy in 18-49 (4.6 rating each). Season to date, "The Office" is the #1 comedy outright in 18-49 and the #10 series overall (with an average 4.8 rating).

Thursday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) tied for the time period win in adults 18-49 despite sizable lead-in advantages for the CBS and ABC drama competition. "ER" tied CBS' "Without a Trace" for the time period win in 18-49, despite a 39 percent lead-in advantage for the CBS drama (6.4 vs. 4.6 in the 9-10 p.m. hour). And "ER" topped ABC's "Big Shots" despite a seemingly insurmountable 65 percent lead-in advantage for the ABC drama (7.6 vs. 4.6 in the 9 p.m. hour).

"ER" moved from third place to first place in 18-49 from half-hour to half-hour, as the venerable medical drama increased its rating by a tenth of a point from half-hour to half-hour while the competing dramas declined.

On Friday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) dealt NBC its highest 18-49 rating and biggest viewership in this time period since March 16.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, the second-season premiere of "Friday Night Lights" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) finished one tenth of a rating point our of first place for the time period in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among men 18-34 and men 18-49. At 10 p.m., "Las Vegas" averaged a 2.2/7 in 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall.

On Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" averaged a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Chuck" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 30 percent in 18-49 rating and 34 percent, or more than 1.0 million persons, in total viewers. "Chuck" increased by 17 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second half-hour. At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and total viewers and #1 among women 18-49 and 25-54. "SVU" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 46 percent in 18-49 rating to lock up NBC's highest rating in this time period since April 28.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, "NBC Sunday Night Football," featuring the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers, averaged a 7.6/20 in adults 18-49, 18.3 million viewers overall and an 11.2/18 household rating and share from 8:25-11:46 p.m. ET.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 2.2/7 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall and a 3.4 rating, 6 share in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.3/10 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall and a 5.2/9 in households. From 8:15-8:25 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 4.6/13 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall and a 7.0/12 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m.), NBC averaged a 6.2/17 in adults 18-49 and 15.1 million viewers overall to win Sunday in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and all key adult male demographics.

On Sunday night, NBC topped its nearest competitor, ABC, by 29 percent in 18-49 (6.2 vs. 4.8) and 14 percent in total viewers (15.1 million vs. 14.2 million). Among adults 18-34, NBC beat its nearest competitor, Fox, by 34 percent.