LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT TO RETURN TO USA FOR EIGHTH SEASON

Network Orders 16 Original Episodes of Law & Order brand

NEW YORK, NY � May 23, 2008 � USA Network has placed an eighth season order for 16 episodes of Wolf Films and NBCU Cable Studio's LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT. Created and executive produced by Emmy� Award winning producer Dick Wolf and developed by Rene Balcer, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT veers from the traditional "Law & Order" format by taking viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve the crimes. This is the first time under NBCU Cable Studio that LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT is being produced. The announcement was made today by Bonnie Hammer, President NBCU Cable Entertainment & Cable Studio.

"We're thrilled to have 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' for another season," said Hammer. "We not only forged new ground with its launch on USA last October, but we also succeeded in delivering to our viewers some of the finest writing and acting on television."

"I am extremely pleased that we will be back on USA for our eighth season and I am grateful to Bonnie Hammer, Jeff Wachtel and their entire team for their support," said Wolf. " 'Criminal Intent' has thrived in its new home on USA and will for years to come."

LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT was the top drama series in basic cable prime for 4Q07 and brought new viewers to USA, more than doubling the Thursday 10pm time period audience from the same weeks the prior year. The show boasts an enormously talented cast led by critically-acclaimed actor Vincent D'Onofrio (Detective Robert Goren); Kathryn Erbe (Detective Alex Eames); Chris Noth (Detective Mike Logan), Julianne Nicholson (Detective Megan Wheeler,) Eric Bogosian (Captain Danny Ross).

The continuation of the seventh season of LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT debuts on USA Sunday June 8th at 9/8c.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome. USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.