NBC PRIMETIME RESULTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 3-9

BURBANK, Calif. -- April 11, 2006 -- NBC averaged a 3.1 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.3 million viewers overall for the week of April 3-9, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Primetime averages for the week of April 3-9 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.2/12), CBS (3.6/10), NBC (3.1/9), ABC (3.1/9), Univision (1.5/4), WB (1.2/3), UPN (1.2/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (12.4 million), Fox (9.9 million), NBC (9.3 million), ABC (8.1 million), Univision (3.5 million), UPN and WB (2.9 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of April 3-9:

* On Monday, a special two-hour "Deal or No Deal" set new series records in 18-49 and total viewers. In 18-49, "Deal" delivered NBC's highest rating in the time period with series programming in more than two years, and in total viewers, it delivered NBC's largest audience in the slot with series programming in more than nine years. "Deal" ranked #8 in 18-49 and #5 in total viewers, out of 119 network programs for the week.

* Also on Monday, "The Apprentice" delivered its highest 18-49 rating of the show's current cycle.

* NBC won Monday night in 18-49 and total viewers. This marks the first time in People Meter history that a competing network has outperformed CBS from 8-11 p.m. in total viewers on the night of the NCAA Basketball Championship.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period by all key ratings measures, beating the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 and 18-34.

* On Wednesday, "Deal or No Deal" ranked #1 in adults 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. "Deal" was up 59 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports season average for the time period. Through Wednesday April 5, more than 100 million total viewers have watched at least a portion of "Deal or No Deal" on NBC and in encore telecasts on CNBC.

* Also on Wednesday, "Law & Order" at 10 p.m. ET, ranked #1 for its time period in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.

* "My Name is Earl" on Thursday was the week's #1 comedy in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

* On Sunday, "The West Wing" polled its highest 18-49 rating and overall total viewership since the series' live debate episode on Nov.6. "The West Wing" was up 26 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week and up 33 percent versus its lead-in.

* Also on Sunday, "Crossing Jordan" delivered its highest 18-49 rating since Jan. 29.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of live only results through Dec. 25 and "live plus seven day" data since then, except for the two most recent weeks, which are live plus same day.

Non-sports averages for the 2005-06 television season among adults 18-49 are: CBS (a 3.8 rating), Fox (3.8), ABC (3.7), NBC (3.1), WB (1.3), and UPN (1.2).

Additional NBC highlights for the week of April 3-9:

On Monday, April 3, from 8-10 p.m. ET, a special two-hour "Deal or No Deal" (5.9 rating, 15 share in adults 18-49, 17.7 million viewers overall) set new series records. In adults 18-49, this was NBC's highest rating in the time period with series programming in more than two years (since "Fear Factor" and "Las Vegas" on March 22, 2004). In total viewers, this was NBC's largest audience in the time period with series programming in more than nine years (since Feb. 17, 1997).

"Deal" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, posting a 64 percent increase in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average for the time period this season (5.9 vs. 3.6). From its first hour to its second, "Deal" increased its 18-49 rating by 34 percent (to a 6.7 from a 5.0) and its total viewership by 3.3 million viewers. For the week, Monday's "Deal or No Deal" ranked #8 (tied) in 18-49 and #5 in total viewers, out of 119 programs on the six broadcast networks.

Also on Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "The Apprentice 5" (4.3/11 in 18-49, 10.2 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating of the show's current cycle. "Apprentice" was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour by all key measures and ranked #1 overall among women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. In adults 18-49, "Apprentice" delivered NBC's top rating in the time period since the Winter Olympics on Feb. 20.

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. This marks the first time since the advent of the People Meter that a competing network has beaten CBS in total viewers for primetime on the night of the NCAA Basketball Championship.

On Tuesday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET, "Scrubs" (2.9/7 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) finished #2 among adults, men and women 18-34. At 9:30 p.m., "Teachers" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) retained 86 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Scrubs." and 99 percent of "Scrubs'" total viewership. "Teachers" ranked #2 in its competitive slot among adults 18-34 (tied with "The Unit" on CBS).

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: SVU" (5.4/14 in 18-49, 15.4 million viewers overall) dominated its time period by all key measures, beating the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. "SVU" delivered its highest 18-49 rating since Feb. 7 and its biggest overall audience since Jan. 17.

On Wednesday, April 5 from 8-9:01 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.3/11 in 18-49, 14.0 million viewers overall) was #1 in adults 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. "Deal" was up 59 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports season average for the time period (4.3 vs. 2.7).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. "Law & Order" built by 94 percent on its 18-49 lead-in from the previous hour -- a 1.8/4 in 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers overall for "Heist" from 9-10 p.m. ET.

On Thursday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET, "Will & Grace" (3.2/10 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. At 8:30 p.m. ET, an encore "My Name is Earl" (3.2/9 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in, ranking #2 in 18-49 and virtually all key measures.

Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (4.7/12 in 18-49, 10.2 million viewers overall) was a strong #2 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among men 18-34. "My Name is Earl" was the #1 comedy of the week in adults 18-49 and total viewers. At 9:30 p.m. an encore "Teachers" delivered a 3.5/9 in 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall, retaining 74 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from an "Earl" original.

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore "ER" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) delivered that series' top 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast since Oct. 27, up 16 percent versus its season average for encore telecasts. "ER" was #2 for the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 among adults, men and women 18-34.

On Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET, the special "Tim McGraw: Reflected" averaged a 1.7/6 in 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.5/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 47 percent in 18-49. "Las Vegas" pulled to within 0.2 of a point of the lead in 18-49 and won the hour among adults 18-34. At 10 p.m., "Conviction" averaged a 2.1/6 in 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall.

On Saturday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.8/7 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) was #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers and women 18-49 and 25-54. "Dateline" was up 29 percent versus NBC's non-sports season average for the time period (1.8 vs. 1.4).

On Sunday, April 9 at 8 p.m. ET, "The West Wing" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) tallied its highest 18-49 rating and overall total viewership since the live debate telecast on Nov. 6. "The West Wing" was up 26 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week (2.4 vs. 1.9) and up 33 percent in 18-49 versus its lead-in -- a 1.8/6 in 18-49 and 7.3 million viewers overall for "Dateline NBC" from 7-8 p.m. ET.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Crossing Jordan" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 11.4 million viewers overall) captured its highest 18-49 rating since Jan. 29 and biggest overall audience since Jan. 8. "Jordan" ranked #2 in the time period by virtually all key measures. In 18-49, "Jordan" built by 27 percent on its lead-in -- a 2.6/6 in 18-49 and 10.0 million viewers overall for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" from 9-10 p.m.