NBC RENEWS TRIO OF ALTERNATIVE SERIES: "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT," "LAST COMIC STANDING" AND "AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR"

Competitive Ratings of All Three Series Play Key Role in Helping Network Remain No. 1 in Summer Season

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - July 13, 2014 - As a sign of the prolific work being accomplished in the network's alternative division, NBC has given renewals to a 10th season of "America's Got Talent," a ninth season of "Last Comic Standing" and a fourth season of "American Ninja Warrior," which airs in partnership with Esquire Network.

So far this summer, NBC is consistently generating the highest regular-program ratings among the Big 4 networks, and has won every week this summer among those nets in adults 18-49 excluding the two weeks when ABC carried NBA Finals basketball.

"The renewal of these three series is evidence that we continue to hit our stride in delivering quality entertainment to a broad viewership," said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. "All of the hard-working talented people on these shows - both behind and in front of the camera - should feel very proud of their achievements."

Holding the Guinness World Record as the world's most successful reality TV format and commissioned in an incredible 52 territories worldwide, "America's Got Talent" is a proven fan favorite. With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing unique performers from across the country. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists and hopeful stars, all vying for their chance to win America's hearts and the $1 million prize.

"America's Got Talent" is the summer's #1 reality series on the Big 4 networks in every key measure - adults, men and women 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, as well as total viewers - plus kids 2-11 and teens 12-17. The five regular "Talent" originals that have aired thus far have delivered the summer's top five results among all primetime entertainment telecasts on the Big 4 networks so far this summer in both 18-49 and total viewers, beating every episode of every entertainment series on ABC, CBS and Fox in "plus same day" results.

This is the ninth consecutive season that "America's Got Talent" has reigned as the top reality show of the summer in total viewers.

"Talent" is averaging a 3.1 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 12.4 million viewers overall in "most current" averages from Nielsen Media Research.

Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel serve as judges with Nick Cannon as host. "America's Got Talent" is produced by Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly and Trish Kinane are executive producers.

Season eight of America's most compelling comedy competition, "Last Comic Standing," features starring three celebrity judges - Roseanne Barr ("Roseanne," "The Office") and Keenen Ivory Wayans ("Scary Movie," "In Living Color") along with international comic sensation Russell Peters ("Comics Without Borders," "Russell Peters Presents"). JB Smoove ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Millers") serves as host.

The top 100 comics in America have vied for the chance to reach the title round - the final three episodes - when the top five comics compete for the coveted title of "Last Comic Standing," winning an incredible prize package worth $250,000, including a cash prize, a talent deal and a development deal for a television show.

"Last Comic Standing" is averaging a 1.7 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall, to rank #14 so far this summer in 18-49 among primetime shows on the Big 4 Networks. "Last Comic" has finished #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in its Thursday 10-11 p.m. ET time period in 18-49 with six of its first eight telecasts this summer (and eight out of eight excluding ABC's NBA Finals coverage).

Emmy Award winner Wanda Sykes ("Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious," "Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Page Hurwitz ("Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious," "Last Comic Standing"), producing partners at Push It Productions, are executive producers along with Javier Winnik ("Last Comic Standing," "The Marriage Ref"). "Last Comic Standing" is produced by Universal Television and Push It Productions.

Entering its fourth season on NBC, "American Ninja Warrior" airs in partnership with Esquire Network. The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle challenging obstacle courses in both qualifying and city finals rounds around the country. This season the show has traveled to five cities in search of the ultimate athlete. The finals rounds from Las Vegas, during which the finalists will attempt a punishing four-stage course, will air later this summer.

Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja Biamila serve as hosts, with Jenn Brown on board as co-host.

"American Ninja Warrior" is delivering a 1.8 rating, 6 share in adult 18-49 and 5.3 million viewers overall, to rank tied for #12 in 18-49 among all primetime series on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox this summer. "American Ninja Warrior" has finished #1 in its time period among Big 4 shows with six of six regular original episodes so far this summer and is tied as the summer's #2 primetime show on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox among kids 2-11 with a 1.0 rating.

The series is executive-produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions' founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("Hell's Kitchen," "Wizard Wars," "Ellen's Design Challenge").