'MACY'S' 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL DELIVERS RATINGS FIREWORKS

THE ANNUAL 'MACY'S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS� SPECTACULAR' SCORES ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN FIVE YEARS AND ITS BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN SEVEN YEARS, PENDING UPDATES

THE 'MACY'S' SPECIAL WINS ITS HOUR IN ALL KEY RATINGS MEASURES, PACING NBC TO A WEDNESDAY NIGHT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � July 5, 2007 � NBC's annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" last night soared to the special's highest 18-49 rating in five years and the event's biggest average total viewership in seven years, pacing NBC to a nightly win in 18-49 and overall viewers, according to preliminary "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

From 9-10 p.m. ET, "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" (2.2 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) delivered the special's highest 18-49 rating since 2002, up 5 percent versus last year (2.2/9 vs. 2.1/8). If the increase stands in official nationals (which are due on Friday, July 6), it will mark the third year in a row that the special has built on its year-ago rating. In total viewers, last night's "Macy's" special is currently ahead of last year's telecast (8.02 million vs. 8.01 million in "live plus same day" results). Pending updates, this would give last night's telecast the event's largest overall average audience since 2000 and would mark the third year in a row that the special has increased versus its year-ago results.

The "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" was the night's #1 telecast in 18-49 and total viewers, winning its time period in every key ratings category. It scored a 47 percent margin of victory in adults 18-49 (2.2/9 vs. a 1.5/6 for CBS' "Criminal Minds" encore in second place). From its first half-hour to its second, the special increased by 25 percent in 18-49 (to a 2.5/9 from a 2.0/8) and its overall viewership by 31 percent, or 2.2 million persons (to 9.1 million from 6.9 million).

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Dateline NBC" (2.0/7 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key measures.

From 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" (1.2/5 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in adults 25-54, pending updates. From 8:30-9 p.m., a second encore "Most Outrageous Moments" (1.5/6 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key demos, having built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 and by 20 percent in overall viewership.

NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Pending updates, NBC ranked #1 or tied for #1 in all six primetime half-hours last night.

Preliminary 18-49 averages for Wednesday night are: NBC, 1.8 rating, 7 share; CBS, 1.4/5; Fox 1.2/5; ABC, 1.1/4; CW, 0.4/2. In overall total viewers, July 4 preliminary results are: NBC, 6.5 million; CBS, 6.0 million; ABC, 3.6 million; Fox, 3.1 million; and CW, 1.0 million.

Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

UPDATE: 'MACY'S' 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL DELIVERS RATINGS FIREWORKS

THE ANNUAL 'MACY'S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS� SPECTACULAR' SCORES ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN FIVE YEARS

THE 'MACY'S' SPECIAL WINS ITS HOUR IN ALL KEY RATINGS MEASURES, PACING NBC TO A WEDNESDAY NIGHT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � July 6, 2007 � NBC's annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" last night soared to the special's highest 18-49 rating in five years, pacing NBC to a nightly win in 18-49 and overall viewers, according to updated "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

From 9-10 p.m. ET, "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" (2.2 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) delivered the special's highest 18-49 rating since 2002, up 5 percent versus last year (2.2/9 vs. 2.1/8). This marks the third year in a row that the special has built on its year-ago rating in primetime's key demo.

The "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks� Spectacular" was the night's #1 telecast in 18-49 and total viewers, winning its time period in every key ratings category. From its first half-hour to its second, the special increased by 26 percent in 18-49 (to a 2.4/9 from a 1.9/8) and its overall viewership by 30 percent, or nearly 2.0 million persons (to 8.6 million from 6.6 million).

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Dateline NBC" (1.9/7 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key measures.

From 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 outright in adults 25-54.

NBC won Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

Updated 18-49 averages for Wednesday night are: NBC, 1.8 rating, 7 share; Fox 1.3/5; CBS, 1.2/5; ABC, 1.0/4; CW, 0.4/2. In overall total viewers, July 4 updated results are: NBC, 6.2 million; CBS, 5.5 million; Fox 3.2 million; ABC, 3.1 million; and CW, 1.0 million.

Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated.