'FEAR FACTOR' CLIMBS TO SEASON-BEST RATINGS IN SYNDICATION

NBC's Hit Reality Series Has Grown 19% in First Four Weeks On Local Stations

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- November 2, 2004 -- NBC's hit reality show "Fear Factor," which is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, has grown 19% in its first four weeks in off-network syndication and hit a season-high 1.9 HH rating for the week of October 18, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

Since its September 20 debut, "Fear Factor" has consistently grown week-to-week and reached new highs in key demos. For the week of October 18, "Fear Factor" scored a 1.3 rating with Women 18-49, a 1.2 rating with Women 25-54 and a 1.8 rating with Teens 12-17.

"Fear Factor" is also performing well in numerous major markets, including on WPWR-TV Chicago (10 p.m.) it averaged a 2.2 HH rating for the month of October 2004, which is up 29% vs. October 2003. On WDWB-TV Detroit (6 p.m.), "Fear Factor" averaged a 2.2 HH rating in October 2004 (up 29%), on KTXH-TV Houston (3 p.m.) the show averaged a 2.4 HH rating which is up 20% and on KMAX-TV Sacramento (7 p.m.) "Fear Factor" averaged a 3.0 HH rating, up 150% from October 2003.

"Just as it has for the past five seasons on NBC, 'Fear Factor' is now attracting millions of viewers and key young adults for local stations in broadcast syndication, " says Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "We expect to see continued growth as the season goes on."

"Fear Factor," the first network reality series to reach off-network syndication, is currently in its fifth season on NBC and is averaging close to 11 million viewers per telecast. "Fear Factor" will mark its 100th episode Monday, November 8 (8-9 p.m. ET) on NBC.

"Fear Factor" pits real people against each other, extreme challenges -- and themselves -- in the hope of taking home a cash prize at the end of each regular one-hour episode. In each installment, six contestants recruited from across the nation must decide if they have the guts and determination to face their most primal fears.

The hit reality series is sold to cable's FX and to more than 95% of the U.S. in syndication. "Fear Factor" is a production of Endemol USA. Matt Kunitz ("Real World," "Dog Eat Dog"), John de Mol (""Big Brother") and David Hurwitz are the executive producers.

NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's current first-run syndicated programming includes "Access Hollywood," "Starting Over," "The Jane Pauley Show," "The Chris Matthews Show," "Home Delivery," "Blind Date," "The Jerry Springer Show," "Maury," "The George Michael Sports Machine," "The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo," "Rebecca's Garden," "Wild Moments" and the off-network syndication sales of NBC's "Fear Factor," "Providence," "Crossing Jordan," "Boomtown" and "Ed." NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution also distributes the first-run specials "The Remarkable Journey" and "Good Housekeeping Reports" inserts.