'HEROES' AND 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' POWER NBC'S WEEK OF DEC. 3-9

'HEROES' AND 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' POWER NBC'S WEEK OF DEC. 3-9

NBC TIES FOR #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-34 AND KEY MALE DEMOS

THIS WEEK'S COLTS-RAVENS NFL TELECAST PROPELS NBC TO A SUNDAY NIGHT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49, ADULTS 18-34 AND KEY MALE DEMOS

ON MONDAY, 'HEROES' WINS ITS HOUR IN ALL KEY DEMOS � ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 � AND IN TOTAL VIEWERS

'CHUCK' IS #1 IN ITS MONDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE FIRST TIME

'BIGGEST LOSER' HITS A SEASON HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' SWEEPS ITS HOUR, RANKING #1 IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49 AND 25-54, AS WELL AS TOTAL VIEWERS

'LIFE' ON WEDNESDAY SURGED 14 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 21 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK, ATTRACTING ITS BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN TWO MONTHS

'DEAL' IS THE #1 SHOW IN TOTAL VIEWERS ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTS

BURBANK, Calif. � December 11, 2007 � With primetime wins in adults 18-49 on Monday and Sunday book ending the week, NBC averaged a 2.9 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 8.1 million viewers overall for the week of December 3-9, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Overall, NBC ranked #2 for the week in adults 18-49, tied with ABC. NBC won the week of December 3-9 in adults 18-34, men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tied with CBS).

This week, "Heroes" ranked #4 among all programs on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49 and #2 among adults 18-34 (behind only "Grey's Anatomy"). "NBC Sunday Night Football, " featuring the Indianapolis Colts versus the Baltimore Ravens, ranked #5 among adults 18-49 and #4 in adults 18-34 (rankings exclude CBS's five-minute NFL post-game telecast on Sunday).

Among men 18-49, "Sunday Night Football" and "Heroes" ranked #1 and #2 respectively among all primetime programs on the broadcast networks (excludes CBS's five-minute Sunday NFL post-game show and NBC's nine-minute Sunday pre-kickoff telecast).

On a season-to-date basis, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is the #1 program on television among men 18-49 and other key adult-male demographics. "Heroes" ranks #3 among all programs in men 18-49 and men 18-34 and #4 (tied) among men 25-54. Season-to-date in adults 18-49, "NBC Sunday Night Football" ranks #5 and "Heroes" ranks #6 among all programs.

Among adults 18-34, "Heroes" is the #3 show on television season-to-date, behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and "House." "Heroes" is the #1 Monday show season-to-date in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demographic measures.

Through the first 11 weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC's median age has grown 1.8 years younger, moving to 45.3 years this season from 47.1 years at this point last season. In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.1 years (to 49.1 from 47.0) and CBS's median age has increased to 52.5 years from 51.9 at this point last season. Fox's median age has declined from 45.1 years to 44.6 years, reflecting in part fewer hours of baseball on Fox's primetime schedule this season versus last.

Primetime averages for the week of December 3-9 in adults 18-49 were CBS (3.1/8), NBC and ABC (2.9/8), Fox (2.3/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.5 million), ABC (8.8 million), NBC (8.1 million), Fox (6.4 million), Univision (3.9 million), CW (2.6 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 3-9:

* Paced by "Sunday Night Football," NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

* On Monday, "Heroes" was broadcast television's top-rated show in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. "Heroes" swept its hour in all key demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 � and in total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Chuck" won its slot in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key male demos, while a special telecast of "Life" won its hour in adults 18-34 and all key male demos, finishing within 0.2 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" hit a season high in total viewers while ranking #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34 in its two-hour block. "Loser" gained 58 percent in 18-49 and 45 percent it total viewers from its first to its last half-hour and ranked #1 in adults 18-49 in its second hour.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" swept its time period, ranking #1 in all key demos � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 � and in total viewers. In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped its closest competitor, CBS's "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," by a 54 margin of victory.

* On Wednesday, a two-hour "Deal or No Deal" was the #1 telecast on any network in total viewers, delivering NBC's biggest viewership in the time period in eight weeks, and the network's top 18-49 rating in the slot in six weeks. "Deal" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers and key male demographics.

* Also on Wednesday, "Life" surged 14 percent in adults 18-49 and 21 percent in total viewers versus the prior Wednesday, attracting its biggest overall audience since October 3. Part two of a special two-part "Life," which began on Monday night, finished within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in men 18-49 and other key male demos.

* Overall, NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers.

* On Thursday, "My Name is Earl" grew by 19 percent in 18-49 and 11 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, while "30 Rock" grew week-to-week by 8 percent in 18-49 and 21 percent in adults 18-34.

* On Thursday, "ER" increased by 29 percent in 18-49 rating and 68 percent in total viewers versus its lead-in, while "Without a Trace" discovered that 44 percent of CBS's 18-49 rating had disappeared and 33 percent of the total viewers had vanished after "CSI," and ABC's Barbara Walters special shed 39 percent of the 18-49 lead-in and 36 percent of the total viewership from "Grey's Anatomy."

* On Friday, "Deal or No Deal" was the top show on any network in total viewers. "Deal" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in overall viewers in its 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 December 3-9:

On Monday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (3.2 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics. This marks the first time "Chuck" has won this time period in adults 18-49.

"Chuck" has generated half-hour-to-half-hour increases with every one of its 11 original Monday telecasts, this week growing by 3 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second half hour (to a 3.2 from a 3.1).

Monday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (5.0/11 in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall) was the #1 telecast on the broadcast networks for the night in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. "Heroes" won its hour in every key adult, male and female demographic � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. "Heroes" also ranked #1 in the hour in total viewers. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 56 percent in 18-49 rating.

Monday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, a special telecast of part one of a two-part "Life" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) finished within 0.2 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics -- men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 -- versus ABC's "October Road" and CBS's "CSI: Miami" encore.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) finished a strong #2 in adults 18-49 and won its two-hour block in adults, men and women 18-34. "Loser" was up 28 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (3.2 vs. 2.5). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 58 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8/9 from a 2.4/7) and 45 percent in total viewers (to 9.7 million from 6.7 million). In the 9-10 p.m. hour, "Biggest Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49 opposite encore telecasts of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "NCIS" and Fox's "House."

In total viewers, this was the top-scoring "Biggest Loser" so far this season.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.0/10 in 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall) won its time period in all key demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 � as well as in total viewers. In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped its nearest competitor by a 54 percent margin (4.0 vs. a 2.6 for CBS's "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show."

NBC ranked #1 on Tuesday night in adults 18-49, tied with CBS.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 8-10 p.m. ET, a special two-hour "Deal or No Deal" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in six weeks (since October 24) and biggest overall viewership in eight weeks (since October 10).

"Deal" was the #1 telecast on any network Wednesday night in total viewers. For its two hours, it ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers, men 18-49 and men 25-54. "Deal" grew from its first to its fourth half-hour by 32 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.3/9 from a 2.5/7) and by 24 percent in total viewers (to 12.6 million from 10.1 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, the second part of a two-part "Life" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) surged 14 percent in 18-49 and 21 percent in total viewers versus the previous Wednesday's telecast (a 2.2/6 in 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers on November 28). "Life" on Wednesday also increased versus Monday's part-one telecast, gaining 4 percent in 18-49 and 18 percent in total viewers compared to two nights earlier. In total viewers, this was the most-watched episode of "Life" since October 3.

"Life" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, pulling within one share of the time period lead, and #1 in the key male demographics of men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tie).

NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers.

On Thursday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.1/9 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) was up 19 percent in 18-49 rating and 11 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (a 2.6/7 in 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers overall on November 29). "Earl" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34.

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) retained 87 percent of its 18-49 lead-in, while building on its lead-in by 4 percent in adults 18-34 (to a 2.9 from a 2.8 for "Earl"). Week-to-week, "30 Rock" grew by 8 percent in 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.5/6) and by 21 percent in adults 18-34 (2.9/8 vs. 2.4/7). "30 Rock" won its slot in men 18-34.

Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered a 2.5/6 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall. From 9:31-10:01 p.m. "Scrubs" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) retained 96 percent of its 18-49 lead-in, while building on its lead-in by 4 percent in 18-34 (to a 2.9 from a 2.8.)

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) increased by 29 percent in 18-49 rating and 68 percent in total viewers versus its lead-in, while both CBS' "Without a Trace" and ABC's Barbara Walters special declined. "Without a Trace" found that 44 percent of the 18-49 rating had disappeared and 33 percent of the total viewership had vanished after "CSI," while the Barbara Walters special shed 39 percent of the 18-49 lead-in and 36 percent of the total viewership from the previous hour's "Grey's Anatomy."

On Friday, Dec. 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers. "Deal" was the #1 show on any network Friday night in total viewers. "Deal" increased by 26 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second half hour (to a 2.4/8 from a 1.9/7) and grew by 22 percent in total viewers (to 10.3 million from 8.5 million).

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) finished within a tenth of a rating point of the time period lead in adults 18-49. It is worth noting that in "live plus seven day" results through November 25, "Friday Night Lights" has been increasing an average 18 percent from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" ratings. Also worth noting, through November 18, "Friday Night Lights" was the most upscale drama on broadcast primetime television and the third most upscale series overall (behind only NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock"), delivering a 137 index of adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes (with a 100 index representing an average concentration of $100K+ homes in the adult 18-49 audience).

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) finished within 1 share of the time period lead in adults 18-49 and won its hour in all key adult-male demos.

On Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Chuck" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 1.8 million viewers overall.

Saturday from 9:30-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell" averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall. In its final hour from 10-11 p.m., the special tied for #1 in adults 18-49 and won the hour outright in all key adult-male demos � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

On Sunday, Dec. 9, "NBC Sunday Night Football," featuring the Indianapolis Colts at the Baltimore Ravens, averaged a 4.9/12 in adults 18-49, 12.7 million viewers overall and an 8.1/13 household rating and share from 8:24-11:09 p.m. ET.

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m.), NBC averaged a 4.5/11 in adults 18-49 and 11.5 million viewers overall. NBC ranked #1 Sunday night in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and in all key adult male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 2.4/7 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall and a 4.1 rating, 7 share in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.1/8 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall and a 5.3/8 in households. From 8:15-8:25 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 3.9/10 in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall and a 6.8/11 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.