NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF JUNE 16-22

NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF JUNE 16-22

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' ON TUESDAY SCORES THE HIGHEST DEBUT NUMBERS OF THE SUMMER TO DATE

DESPITE COMPETITION FROM THE DECIDING GAME OF THE NBA FINALS, 'TALENT' IS THE #1 SUMMER PREMIERE TO DATE IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS AND THE #2 PRIMETIME ENTERTAINMENT TELECAST OF THE SUMMER IN TOTAL VIEWERS, BEHIND ONLY THE 'GREY'S ANATOMY' SEASON FINALE

ON WEDNESDAY, 'CELEBRITY CIRCUS' WINS THE FINAL HOUR OF PRIME IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

ON THURSDAY, 'LAST COMIC STANDING' INCREASES 18 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 12 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK

NBC WINS SUNDAY IN 18-49, AS THE U.S. OLYMPIC GYMNASTIC TRIALS TAKE THE TIME PERIOD IN ALL KEY DEMOGRAPHICS AND 'DATELINE' REPORTS NBC'S HIGHEST NUMBERS IN ITS SLOT SINCE MARCH 2

BURBANK, Calif. � June 24, 2008 � NBC ranked #2 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49 and #1 in overall viewership for the week of June 16-22, averaging a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.5 million viewers overall for the week, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC's "America's Got Talent," which made its season debut last Tuesday, was the "most watched" entertainment program of the week in total viewers, averaging 12.8 million viewers and trailing only ABC's telecast of the sixth and deciding game of the NBA Finals in overall viewership. "America's Got Talent" ranked #3 among all programs on the broadcast networks for the week in adults 18-49 and ranked #2 among adults 25-54, again trailing only the Lakers-Celtics game six. In fact, "America's Got Talent" ranked among the top five or top 10 programs of the week in every key demographic -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 -- as well as in kids 2-11 (#4), teens 12-17 (#2) and viewers over 50 (#2)

Primetime averages for the week of June 16-22 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.3/7), NBC (1.9/6), ABC (1.8/6), Univision (1.6/5), CBS (1.5/5), CW (0.6/2) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (6.5 million), CBS (6.4 million), Fox (6.1 million), ABC (5.4 million), Univision (3.8 million), CW (1.7 million) and Telemundo (1.0 million).

Through 39 weeks of the 2007-08 season, Fox leads in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, while the race for #2 remains extremely close, with only 0.2 of a rating point separating ABC, CBS and NBC. Season-to-date averages in adults 18-49 for the period September 24, 2007 through June 22, 2008 are Fox (4.0/11), ABC (2.9/8), CBS (2.8/8), NBC (2.7/7), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1).

NBC is the only major network that has not seen its audience get significantly older this season versus last and it is now the "second-youngest" of the major broadcast networks. Through the first 39 weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC is running within 0.3 years of its median age from the prior season (48.6 years this season vs. 48.3 years last season). In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by nearly two years (to 49.0 from 47.1), CBS's median age has increased to 53.1 years old from 52.3 and Fox's median age has increased by 1.3 years to 43.8 from 42.5 years old at this point last season.

NBC highlights for the week of June 16-22:

* On Monday, "American Gladiators" finished within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in men 18-34, men 18-49 (tied), teens and kids.

* On Tuesday, "America's Got Talent" debuted to the highest 18-49 rating and total-viewer tally of any series this summer to date. Among all primetime entertainment telecasts this summer, "Talent" trails only the May 22 season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" in total viewers (live plus same day).

* Despite extraordinary competition from the sixth and deciding game of the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals, "America's Got Talent" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating for any primetime entertainment telecast since the May 15 finale of "The Office" and the biggest overall viewership for any NBC primetime entertainment telecast since the April 15 edition of "Law & Order: SVU."

* Even with competition from the NBA Finals, this was the third-highest telecast ever for "Talent" in total viewers, behind only last year's finale and debut.

* On Wednesday, the 90-minute "Celebrity Circus" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour and #1 in primetime's key demographic in the 10-11 p.m. hour.

* Also on Wednesday, a 90-minute "Deal or No Deal" grew by 59 percent in 18-49 rating and by 53 percent or 3.6 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its third.

* On Thursday, "Last Comic Standing" posted gains versus the prior week's telecast � increasing by 18 percent in 18-49 and 12 percent in total viewers. The 90-minute "Last Comic," which ranked #2 in the time slot in adults 18-49 and other key measures, increased by 53 percent in 18-49 rating and by 49 percent or 1.7 million persons from its first to its third half-hour.

* On Friday, a two-hour "Dateline" grew by 82 percent in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its fourth, to win the final hour of primetime from 10-11 p.m. in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key measures.

* On Sunday, NBC Sports' coverage of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials won its two-hour time period in all key demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

* Also on Sunday, a two-hour "Dateline" reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership in its time period since March 2, pacing NBC to a Sunday victory in adults 18-49.

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 June 16-22:

On Monday, June 16 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "American Gladiators" (1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) finished within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among men 18-49 (tied), men 18-34, teens and kids.

Monday from 9-10:30 p.m. ET, "Nashville Star" averaged a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers overall, growing from its first half-hour to its third by 19 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.6) and by 14 percent in total viewers (to 6.6 million from 5.7 million).

In its final half-hour from 10-10:30 p.m., "Nashville Star" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key ratings measures. In that half-hour, "Nashville Star" pulled to within 0.2 of a rating point of the time-period lead in 18-49 and ranking ahead of ABC's "The Mole" in virtually all key ratings categories including adults 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. From 10:30-11 p.m., a 30-minute edition of "Dateline NBC" delivered a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall.

On Tuesday, June 17 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.1/7 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 and total-viewer result in this time period in nine weeks (since the April 15 "Biggest Loser" finale). "Deal" increased from its first to its fourth half-hour by 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3/7 from a 1.9/6) and by 18 percent, or 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 9.4 million from 8.0 million).

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the season premiere of "America's Got Talent" (3.7/10 in adults 18-49, 12.8 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating for any primetime entertainment telecast on any night of the week since the May 15 season finale of "The Office" and the top total viewership for any NBC primetime entertainment telecast since the April 15 edition of "Law & Order: SVU."

In both adults 18-49 and total viewers, "America's Got Talent" is the #1 premiere of the summer to date, and in total viewers, "America's Got Talent" is also the #2 primetime entertainment telecast of the summer to date on any network, behind only the May 22 season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" (live plus same day, excludes sports).

Despite competition from the sixth and deciding game of the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals, "America's Got Talent" earned NBC's highest 18-49 rating and total-viewer result in the Tuesday 9-11 p.m. time period since April 15 ("Biggest Loser" finale and "SVU") and improved by 23 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's average in this time period last summer. "America's Got Talent" grew from its first half-hour to its fourth by 32 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.1/11 from a 3.1/9) and by 21 percent or 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 13.8 million from 11.4 million). In its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Talent" was the #1 non-sports program in all key ratings categories.

Despite the exceptional NBA competition, this was the third-strongest telecast ever for "America's Got Talent" in total viewers, behind only last year's finale and debut.

On Wednesday, June 18 from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. From its first half-hour to its third, "Deal" grew by 59 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.7/7 from a 1.7/6) and by 53 percent or 3.6 million persons in total viewers (to 10.4 million from 6.8 million). "Deal" delivered NBC's second-highest 18-49 and total-viewer results in the time period since April 23.

From 9:30-11 p.m. ET, "Celebrity Circus" averaged a 2.0/6 in 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall. The 90-minute "Circus" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour and #1 in the key demographic in the 10-11 p.m. hour.

On Thursday, June 19, from 8-8:30 p.m., ET, an encore episode of "The Office" delivered a 1.2/5 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall.

From 8:30-10 p.m. ET, "Last Comic Standing" (2.0/6 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. Versus the prior week, "Last Comic" increased by 18 percent in 18-49 rating (2.0/6 vs. a 1.7/5 on June 12) and by 12 percent in total viewers (4.5 million vs. 4.0 million).

From its first half-hour to its third, "Last Comic" grew by 53 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3/7 from a 1.5/5) and increased its overall viewership by 49 percent or 1.7 million persons (to 5.2 million from 3.5 million).

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "Fear Itself" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-34 (tied), men 18-34 and teens 12-17 and #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Fear Itself" was up 7 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's regular-program average last summer in this time period (with first-run episodes of "Studio 60" and encores of "ER").

In total viewers, "Fear Itself" improved on NBC's regular-program average in this slot last summer by 31 percent or 1.1 million persons (4.6 million vs. 3.5 million). In total viewers, "Fear Itself" topped every NBC result in this slot last summer (excluding sports telecasts).

On Friday, June 20 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall. From 8:30-9 p.m., a second encore of "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased by 82 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.0/7 from a 1.1/4) and by 55 percent or 2.5 million persons in total viewers (to 7.0 million from 4.5 million). In its final hour from 10-11 p.m., "Dateline" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key measures.

On Saturday, June 21 from 8-10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports' coverage of The U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials (1.1/5 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key ratings measures. From its first half-hour to its fourth, the Olympic Trials increased by 56 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4/5 from a 0.9/4) and by 42 percent or 1.6 million persons in total viewers (to 5.4 million from 3.8 million).

From 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) increased from half-hour to half-hour by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2/4 from a 0.9/3) and by 16 percent in total viewers (to 4.6 million from 4.0 million).

On Sunday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. ET, NBC Sports' coverage of The U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials (2.0/6 in adults 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) won the time period in all key demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Excluding last week's U.S. Open Championship golf coverage, this was NBC's second-highest 18-49 rating in the time period since March 9 and second-highest overall viewership in the slot since April 27.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, the Olympic Trials increased by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.4/7 from a 1.6/6) and by 44 percent or 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 7.5 million from 5.2 million).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) reported the network's highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall audience in the time period since March 2. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased by 32 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.5/7 from a 1.9/5) and by 30 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers (to 9.1 million from 7.0 million).

NBC ranked #1 on Sunday night in adults 18-49, marking the network's second Sunday win in the past four weeks.