'HEROES' IS THE #1 NEW SHOW OF THE WEEK AND SEASON IN KEY DEMOS AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'HEROES' IS THE #1 NEW SHOW OF THE WEEK AND SEASON IN KEY DEMOS AND TOTAL VIEWERS

THE FRESHMAN DRAMA IS THE #1 NEW SHOW IN ADULTS 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'HEROES' JOINS FORCES WITH 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' TO PACE NBC'S #2 FINISH IN 18-49 THIS WEEK, UP 19 PERCENT VERSUS SAME WEEK LAST YEAR

NBC IS UP 15 PERCENT IN 18-49 THROUGH THE FIRST EIGHT WEEKS OF THE 2006-07 SEASON, THE ONLY NETWORK SHOWING GROWTH IN THE KEY DEMO

BURBANK, Calif. � November 14, 2006 � "Heroes" soared to new record ratings to kick off the week of November 6-12, which closed with a potent "NBC Sunday Night Football" match-up that propelled the network to its third straight Sunday victory. NBC averaged a 3.8 rating and 10 share in 18-49 to rank #2 for the week, and 10.2 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. .

"Heroes" was the #1 new series of the week in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. In adults 18-49, "Heroes" ranked #7 out of all 98 telecasts last week. In adults 25-54, "Heroes" was #7 and in adults 18-34, "Heroes" ranked #3. Among all programs in adults 18-34, only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" topped "Heroes."

Season-to-date, "Heroes" is now the #1 new series on television in the key demographics of adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, as well as in total viewers. "Heroes" is NBC's top-rated first-year drama at this point in the season (through eight weeks) in 12 years (since "ER" in 1994)

In the key demographic of adults 18-49, "Heroes" ranks #6 season-to-date among all programs. Only "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "CSI," "Lost" and "NBC Sunday Night Football" outrank the freshman drama.

Overall, NBC had three of the top 10 programs last week in adults 18-49. In addition to "Heroes," "NBC Sunday Night Football" ranked #3 and "ER" ranked #9.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Chicago Bears versus the New York Giants also ranked #4 this week among adults 18-34 and 25-54. In total viewers, "Sunday Night Football" ranked #6 for the week.

Versus the comparable eighth week of last season, NBC this week was up 19 percent in adults 18-49 (3.8 vs. 3.2), up 10 percent in adults 25-54 (4.3 vs. 3.9), up 28 percent in 18-34 (3.2 vs. 2.5) and up 15 percent in total viewers (10.250 million vs. 8.910 million). NBC was the only network to exhibit year-to-year growth this week in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 or adults 18-34.

For the first eight weeks of the 2006-07 television season, NBC is the only network showing year-to-year gains in adult 18-49 ratings. NBC is up 15 percent versus the same period last year (3.8 rating versus 3.3). In that same comparison, ABC is flat, CBS is down 5 percent and Fox is down 9 percent. Season-to-date in total viewers, only NBC and ABC are showing gains year-to-year. NBC is up 11 percent versus the opening eight weeks of the last season (10.330 million vs. 9.330 million). ABC is up 9 percent by that measure, while CBS is down 1 percent and Fox is down 4 percent.

Primetime averages for the week of November 6-12 in adults 18-49 were ABC (4.2/11), NBC (3.8/10), CBS (3.7/10), Fox (2.9/8), CW (1.5/4), Univision (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (12.7 million), ABC (12.4 million), NBC (10.3 million), Fox (7.2 million), CW (3.5 million), Univision (3.2 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

For the first 11 nights of the four-week November sweep, NBC is #2, with a 29 percent increase on its 18-49 rating at this point in the sweep one year ago, while the other three major networks are all down year-to-year. In total viewers, NBC is up 20 percent for the sweep to date. Primetime averages for the sweep through November 12 in adults 18-49 were ABC (4.1/11), NBC (4.0/11), CBS (3.8/10), Fox (2.7/7), Univision (1.4/4), CW (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.3/1). In overall total viewers the sweep averages were CBS (12.8 million), ABC (11.9 million), NBC (10.9 million), Fox (6.6 million), CW (3.5 million), Univision (3.3 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of November 6-12:

* NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers paced by the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Chicago Bears versus the New York Giants. This marks NBC's fourth Sunday win of the season in 18-49, including the last three in a row. NBC has also won the last three Sundays in a row in total viewers.

* On Monday, "Heroes" set a new series record in 18-49, scoring the highest 18-49 rating for any first-year series on any network this season. "Heroes" was the #1 network television show Monday in 18-49, and its 6.7 rating in 18-49 is NBC's highest rating for a scripted series on Monday night since April 29, 2002 ("Third Watch," 7.0).

* Also on Monday, "Studio 60" hit its highest 18-49 rating since October 9.

* On Thursday, "ER," scored its highest 18-49 rating and total viewer results since October 12. "ER" won its hour by all key measures, including adults 18-49 and total viewers, over competition that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" built on its lead-in from "My Name is Earl" in the key 18-49 demographic, marking the seventh time in seven weeks this season that "The Office" has equaled or built on its "Earl" 18-49 lead-in. "The Office" won its time period in adults 18-34 and men 18-34, outperforming such programming as CBS' "Survivor" and ABC's "Ugly Betty" in those elusive demos.

* On Friday, "Las Vegas" won its time period in adults 18-49, up 45 percent versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year. "Vegas" was also #1 in adults, men and women 18-34 and in all key adult male demos. Overall, NBC was up 32 percent in 18-49 on Friday versus the same Friday last year.

* On Wednesday, a special two-hour edition of "The Biggest Loser" grew by 38 percent in 18-49 rating from its first hour to its second, to weigh in with its highest rating so far this season in its regular 9-10 p.m. hour.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of November 6-12:

On Monday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.5 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49, 14.7 million viewers overall) topped NBC's performance in the time period on the same night last year by 67 percent in 18-49 (4.5/11 vs. 2.7/7) and by 5.4 million viewers overall (14.7 million vs. 9.3 million). "Deal" increased by 31 percent in 18-49 from its first to its second half-hour (to a 5.1/12 from a 3.9/10) and by more than 2.7 million viewers. Facing atypical competition on ABC from the Country Music Association Awards, "Deal" ranked a strong #2 in the hour in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.7/15 in 18-49, 14.5 million viewers overall) hit a new series record in 18-49, up 12 percent in the demo versus its season average. This marks the highest 18-49 rating for any first-year series on any network this season. "Heroes," which was the night's #1 telecast in 18-49, won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers, despite stronger-than-usual competition from the Country Music Association Awards on ABC. "Heroes," which built by 49 percent in 18-49 versus its lead-in from the previous hour, was up 68 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season (6.7 vs. 4.0).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) hit its highest 18-49 rating since October 9.

NBC finished a strong #2 on Monday in adults 18-49, trailing only ABC which ran the CMA Awards. NBC was up 41 percent in 18-49 versus the same night last year (4.8 vs. 3.4).

On Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" averaged a 2.4/6 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" delivered a 2.5/6 in 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m. NBC News' "Decision 2006" election coverage averaged a 1.9/5 in adults 18-49, a 2.3/6 in adults 25-54 and 6.2 million viewers overall.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period this season and was up 24 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's result in the time slot on the same night last year (3.1 vs. 2.5). From its first hour to its second, "Loser" grew by 38 percent (to a 3.6/9 from a 2.6/7) to achieve its highest rating so far this season in its regular 9-10 p.m. time period.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all other key measures.

On Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.7/11 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 (tied) in adults 18-49 and was #1 among adults 18-34 (tied) and men 18-34.

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.9/10 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) built by 5 percent in 18-49 on its lead-in from "Earl." "The Office" was #1 among adults and men 18-34, outperforming such programs as CBS' "Survivor" and ABC's "Ugly Betty" in those elusive demos.

Thursday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (3.8/9 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall) scored its second-highest 18-49 rating and total viewer results for a Thursday telecast this season.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (5.8/16 in 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) posted its highest 18-49 rating and total viewer results since October 12. "ER" won the hour by all key ratings measures, including adults 18-49 and total viewers, versus rival dramas that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages. In 18-49, "ER" built on NBC's rating from the previous hour by 53 percent, while CBS' "Shark" declined by 43 percent versus its "CSI" lead-in (to a 3.9 from a 6.9) and ABC's "Desperate Housewives" encore declined by 58 percent versus its lead-in from "Grey's Anatomy" (to a 3.6 from an 8.6).

On Friday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, "1 vs 100" (2.7/9 in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall) was up 42 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's rating in this time period on the same night last year (2.7 vs. 1.9). "1 vs 100" was #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

Through three telecasts, "1 vs 100" has improved the Friday 8 p.m. hour by 53 percent in 18-49 versus the comparable weeks last year. In total viewers, "1 vs 100" has increased NBC's viewership in the slot by 30 percent, or 2.3 million viewers overall.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.9/9 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) was up 45 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year (2.9 vs. 2.0). "Vegas" won its hour in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and all key adult male demographics.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall) finished 0.1 of a rating point out of first place in 18-49 and ranked #1 among adults, men and women 18-34.

Overall, NBC was up 32 percent in 18-49 versus the network's performance on the comparable Friday last year (2.9 vs. 2.2).

On Saturday, Nov. 11 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) matched the network's top non-sports 18-49 rating in this time period since April 1 and delivered the network's biggest overall viewership since Oct. 14. "Dateline," which finished within a tenth of a rating point of the 18-49 lead, increased by 31 percent in the demo from its first half-hour to its fourth (to a 2.1/8 from a 1.6/5). At 10 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 2.0/6 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall. "SVU" matched its highest "live plus same day" 18-49 rating in this time period since September 30.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Chicago Bears versus the New York Giants averaged a 7.5/18 in adults 18-49, 19.4 million viewers overall and a 12.4/19 household rating and share from 8:20-11:24 p.m. ET.

Through 10 games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging 18.0 million viewers, 9 percent ahead of ABC's "Monday Night Football" through this same point last season (16.5 million).

NBC was #1 on Sunday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers, averaging a 6.5/15 in 18-49 and 16.9 million viewers from 7:30-11 p.m. ET. NBC has won four Sundays so far this season in 18-49, more than any other network, including the last three in a row. NBC has also won the last three Sundays in total viewers. Versus the comparable night on NBC in 2005, NBC's Sunday primetime this week was up 141 percent in 18-49 (6.5/15 vs. 2.7/6) and up 144 percent in total viewers (16.859 million vs. 6.901million).

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:59 p.m. ET averaged a 2.5/7 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall and a 3.8/6 in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:59-8:12 p.m. delivered a 4.0/11 in 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall and a 6.9/11 in households. From 8:12-8:20 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 5.0/13 in 18-49, 13.6 million viewers overall and an 8.7/13 in households.