NBC ELEVATES VETERAN PROGRAM EXEC MITCH METCALF, WHO BECOMES EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAM PLANNING & SCHEDULING, AFTER SIGNING NEW THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

BURBANK, Calif. -- November 29, 2004 -- NBC has promoted Mitch Metcalf to Executive Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling, after signing the veteran network executive to a new three-year contract extension that will allow him to oversee NBC's entire long-range broadcast schedule in all dayparts under the banner of the newly combined NBC Universal company.

The announcement was made by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, to whom Metcalf reports. Reilly said, "Mitch has repeatedly demonstrated a keen grasp of programming challenges and is a master at maximizing our resources in scheduling. He's a legitimate programming 'guru' whose sharp instincts and prognostication skills give us a tremendous competitive edge."

Some of Metcalf's more recent bold scheduling moves include his decision to program "Las Vegas" after "Fear Factor" on Mondays last season and the idea to slot the returning "Crossing Jordan" following "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" on Sundays last spring. He also broke precedent when he suggested that the reality hit "The Apprentice" would pay ratings dividends on Thursdays (9-10 p.m. ET) -- despite the fact that NBC had successfully broadcast comedies in that day and time for decades.

Under his new title, Metcalf not only will be responsible for the network's master scheduling plan but also will be tasked to integrate its entertainment assets with those of News, Sales and Operations departments. In addition, Metcalf's role takes on added dimension as the new NBC Universal company continues to evolve and re-define new opportunities for reaching its full potential in the industry.

Metcalf had previously served as Senior Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling, NBC Entertainment, since November 2000.

Prior to this appointment, Metcalf was Senior Vice President, Program Research, NBC West Coast, since September 1999, supervising the company's Burbank-based program research department. He was responsible for overseeing primary research for NBC Entertainment programming in all dayparts, including primetime, late night, daytime and Saturday morning.

Metcalf joined NBC following a nine-year career at ABC, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Research, ABC Television Network. In this position, he oversaw the network's New York and Los Angeles research operations.

While at ABC, Metcalf was responsible for providing senior management with attitudinal research analysis of new series pilots, current series, newsmagazines and longform programming. He was also responsible for analyzing box-office grosses for feature films that were being considered for eventual network broadcast.

Before joining ABC, he spent two years as a project director for Research Communications in Boston, where he managed news programming research projects for network and local television news clients in markets across the country.

Metcalf began his career in 1987 as a research associate for Frank N. Magid Associates in Marion, Iowa, where his clients included local television news departments.

Metcalf graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in politics from Princeton University. He resides in Sherman Oaks, California, with his wife, Carol, and their two daughters, Molly and Charlotte.