LAURA LANCASTER NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DRAMA AND CABLE PROGRAMMING, NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION STUDIO

BURBANK, Calif. -- January 17, 2006 -- NBC Universal Television Studio programming executive Laura Lancaster has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Drama and Cable Programming, NBC Universal Television Studio, it was announced today by Angela Bromstad, President, NBC Universal Television Studio, to whom she reports.

Lancaster fills the vacancy left by Katherine Pope, who along with Jeff Ingold, have moved to key development posts at NBC. Bromstad stated: "Katherine and Jeff have been with us since day one at the studio and they are key players and outstanding executives. I believe with this transition, we have the opportunity to have the strongest network-studio relationship in town, which is essential to both businesses."

She added, "Laura is perfectly positioned to maintain our momentum within our studio. Her previous experience in running the department before the NBC and Universal merger, combined with her proven creative instincts, will serve her well."

Most recently, Lancaster was Vice President, Drama Programming, NBC Universal Television Studio, since June 2004, and reported to Pope. In that position, Lancaster was responsible for development of the hit show "House" and the creative supervision of the studio's ongoing slate of dramatic programs, including "Crossing Jordan" and "Surface," among others.

Previously, Lancaster was Vice President, Drama Programming at the Universal Network Television since July 2003, and jointly ran the drama department with Elisa Roth, who shared the same title. She was previously Director, Drama Programming, since 2002.

In 2001, Lancaster joined the drama department as Manager after first coming to Universal (then Studios USA) in 1999 as an assistant in comedy programming and was promoted to coordinator, comedy programming in 2000.

Prior to that, Lancaster was head of production at Ellen DeGeneres' Crazy Monkey Productions. She has also held positions at Chase Rucker Productions as VP, development, and was an associate in the sports department at KTLA Los Angeles. Additionally, she was a public relations associate for the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.