NBC TEAMS WITH MICROSOFT AND MSN VIDEO TO STREAM FIRST TWO EPISODES OF NETWORK'S NEW DRAMA 'HEIST' FOLLOWING MARCH 22 AND MARCH 29 BROADCASTS

Arrangement Also Will See MSN Video Offer a Sneak Peek of "Heist" - from Director Doug Liman -- with 16-Minutes of Action from Series Premiere Available from March 14 Until March 22 Debut

BURBANK, Calif. -- March 14, 2006 -- NBC has formed a partnership with Microsoft that will offer MSN Video the exclusive rights to stream the entire first two episodes of NBC's upcoming drama series "Heist" as encores for one week after each episode premieres on Wednesday, March 22 and 29, respectively (10-11 p.m. ET both nights).

In addition, NBC will give viewers an advance sneak peek of "Heist" by providing MSN with the exclusive rights to stream a 16-minute special presentation of the drama's debut episode that will launch on March 14 and will run up to the network's March 22 broadcast premiere.

The announcement was made today by John Miller, Chief Marketing Office, NBC Universal Television Group.

"This relationship with Microsoft allows us to further enhance our marketing opportunities to draw attention to our shows from increasingly popular sites and formats," said Miller. "It's a perfect marriage of technology and content, and we believe it is also tailor-made to reach out to the target demographic for this hot new series from director Doug Liman."

Acclaimed director Liman ("Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy") and Emmy Award-nominated writers Mark and Robb Cullen (FX's "Lucky") are the creative forces behind "Heist" -- a series driven by unforgettable characters, intense action and suspense, high comedy and surprising romance. This fast-paced, serialized drama includes an ensemble cast of burglars -- Dougray Scott ("Dark Water"), Steve Harris ("The Practice"), Seymour Cassel ("The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"), Marika Dominczyk ("North Shore") and David Walton ("Stateside") - and - Michele Hicks ("The Shield"), Reno Wilson ("Blind Justice") and Billy Gardell ("Yes, Dear") as the detectives who try to stop them.

Professional thief, Mickey O'Neil (Scott) assembles an expert team of career criminals to attempt one of the biggest heists in history. Their plan: simultaneously rob three of the most renowned jewelry stores on Beverly Hills' famed Rodeo Drive during Academy Awards week. As this intricate web of deceit unfolds, we learn that there is more than mere monetary gain fueling Mickey's actions.

Meanwhile, Amy Sykes (Hicks), lead detective for LAPD's Robbery/Homicide division, heads up the task force investigating a series of thefts pulled off by this new crew. Under incredible pressure from her superiors, she must figure out not only who is behind the crimes but also what larger job they are leading up to.

The twist -- as Mickey sizes up Detective Sykes, the two unexpectedly fall in love.

In addition, MSN.com will offer a 'Heist" photo gallery, top billing on its TV and entertainment homepages, and promotion on the video homepage, among other placements.

"Heist," produced by Hypnotic, NBC Universal Television Studio and Sony Pictures Television, is directed by Liman.