NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD DICK WOLF'S HIT DRAMA "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" IN MORE THAN 97% OF THE U.S.

NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD DICK WOLF'S HIT DRAMA "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" IN MORE THAN 97% OF THE U.S.

NBC's Emmy Award-Winning Drama Coming to Stations For Weekend Runs This Fall

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA�March 19, 2007�NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Dick Wolf's hit crime drama series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in more than 97% of the U.S. for weekend airings in national syndication starting in fall 2007, it was announced today by Sean O'Boyle, Senior Vice President/General Sales Manager, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

"Law & Order: SVU," which is a Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio and Emmy-winner Wolf's second installment of the "Law and Order" brand, has been sold to stations from many leading broadcast groups including Fox, Tribune, Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, Scripps, Allbritton and more.

"'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'" continues to be a dominant program for NBC in primetime in its eighth season and local broadcasters are excited about the opportunity to add it to their weekend lineups starting this fall," says NBC Universal's O'Boyle.

Top markets include WWOR-TV New York (Fox), KCOP-TV Los Angeles (Fox), WPWR-TV Chicago (Fox), WPHL-TV Philadelphia (Tribune), WCVB-TV Boston (Hearst), WJLA-TV Washington D.C. (Albritton), WXYZ-TV Detroit (Scripps), KDFW-TV Dallas (Fox) and WXIA-TV Atlanta (Gannett).

Currently in its eighth season on NBC, "Law & Order: SVU" continues to be one of the network's top primetime programs, averaging an 8.4 HH rating season-to-date, according to Nielsen Media Research. "SVU" has won 18 of its 24 telecasts this season, including three while in repeats. The hard-hitting and emotional series from NBC's "Law & Order" brand chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.

Created by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has received numerous citations from community-based organizations for the social issues it tackles, and the cast members are frequently recognized for the work they do off-screen to promote personal health and safety and other volunteer efforts and initiatives.

The drama follows Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), a seasoned veteran of the unit who has seen it all, and his partner, Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), whose difficult past - a child of rape - is the reason she joined the unit.

In 2006, Hargitay (Detective Benson) garnered her first Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and was the 2005 Golden Globe Winner for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, as well as the 2004 and 2005 Emmy Nominee, and 2004 Screen Actors Guild Nominee for Lead Actress. Captain Donald Cragen, (Dann Florek, reprising the role he played on the first three seasons of "Law & Order" 1990-93), oversees the unit with his tough, but supportive approach to the team's complex cases, guiding the squad through the challenges they face every day.

Detective John Munch, (Richard Belzer, "Homicide: Life on the Street"), a transfer from Baltimore's homicide unit, brings his acerbic wit, conspiracy theories and street-honed investigative skills to the team. And his partner, Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice-T), adds his unique sense of humor and investigative experience, making him a formidable match for Munch.

Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak (Diane Neal) brings closure to the intense investigations with her legal expertise. Forensic psychiatrist, George Huang (B.D. Wong), whose insight into the minds of the accused, often provides significant clues that lead to the resolution of a case, and Medical Examiner Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) lends her skills to uncover forensic evidence.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is a Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. Wolf, is creator and executive producer, Neal Baer (NBC's "ER", "China Beach"), Ted Kotcheff ("Fun with Dick and Jane," "Weekend at Bernie's") and Peter Jankowski are the executive producers.

About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution division is responsible for the distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jerry Springer Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Maury and the upcoming new series with Steve Wilkos. Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of The Office, House, Monk, the Law & Order series and much more.