NBC PRIMETIME RESULTS FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 20-26

ON TUESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' WINS ITS SLOT IN KEY DEMOS, TOPPING RIVAL NETWORK DRAMAS BY WIDE MARGINS

'ER' IS THE #1 NON-SPORTS CHOICE IN ITS THURSDAY HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49, TOPPING FRESHMEN DRAMA COMPETITION ON ABC AND CBS FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW

'THE OFFICE' AND 'SNL WEEKEND UPDATE THURSDAY' WIN THEIR TOUGH THURSDAY SLOTS IN MEN 18-34, TOPPING EVEN WORLD SERIES COVERAGE IN THAT ELUSIVE DEMO

'DEAL OR NO DEAL' MATCHES NBC'S HIGHEST NON-OLYMPIC 18-49 RATING IN THE FRIDAY 8 P.M. HOUR SINCE APRIL

FRIDAY'S, 'CRUSOE' WINS ITS SLOT IN TOTAL VIEWERS

MONDAY'S 'CHUCK' AND FRIDAY'S 'LIFE' POST THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAINS IN 18-49

THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE WEEKS OF THE SEASON, NBC IS THE YOUNGEST OF THE MAJOR BROADCAST NETWORKS

BURBANK, Calif. � October 28, 2008 � Paced by "The Office," the third "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" and "Heroes," NBC averaged a 2.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall for the week of October 20-26, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"The Office" was the #3-ranked primetime program of the week in adults 18-34 (behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and "House"), topping all other programs, including four World Series telecasts, in this valuable demographic. In this demo, "Heroes" ranked #5 (tied) and "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" ranked #7 among all primetime programs.

Through the first five weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 45.5. By comparison, Fox's median age is currently 45.9 years old, ABC's median age is 50.7 and CBS's median age is 53.0.

Primetime averages for the week of October 20-26 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.6/10), ABC and CBS (3.0/8), NBC (2.2/6), Univision (1.7/5), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.4 million), Fox (10.9 million), ABC (10.0 million), NBC (6.1 million), Univision (4.1 million), CW (2.2 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

NBC highlights for the week of October 20-26:

* On Monday, "Chuck" posted its second consecutive week of growth, this week gaining 8 percent in 18-49 and 11 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

* Also on Monday, "Heroes" finished within one share of the lead in adults 18-49 in its highly competitive time period and won the hour in adults and men 18-34 and men 18-49, while "My Own Worst Enemy" ranked #1 at 10 p.m. in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures.

* "My Own Worst Enemy" was by far the "youngest" of the three rival dramas competing on the broadcast networks in the Monday 10 p.m. hour. "Enemy," with a median age of 42.6 years, was more than 10 years younger than CBS's "CSI: Miami" (median age 53.2 years) and 13 years younger than ABC's "Boston Legal" (55.6 years).

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" won its hour in virtually all key demographics, including adults 18-49, topping CBS's second-place "Without a Trace" by 35 percent and ABC's "Eli Stone" by 67 percent in that key demographic. "SVU" matched the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-34.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" delivered significant growth over its two-hour telecast, rising by its final half-hour to within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 in a crowded field that included Fox's "Fringe," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS's "The Mentalist."

* On Wednesday, "Knight Rider" was the #1 non-sports choice in its hour in all key adult-male demographics. Despite World Series competition, "Knight Rider" increased by 10 percent in adults 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its second.

* On Thursday, "ER" was the #1 non-sports choice in its hour in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 versus the World Series, topping freshmen dramas "Eleventh Hour" on CBS and "Life on Mars" on ABC in those key demographics. "ER" ranked #1 overall among women 18-49 and 18-34, beating World Series coverage and the drama competition in those demos.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" and "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" won their tough time periods in men 18-34, topping Fox's World Series coverage, CBS's "CSI" and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" in that elusive demographic.

* Additionally on Thursday, "Kath & Kim" retained 88 percent of its "Earl" lead-in in adults 18-49 and 90 percent in adults 18-34, while building on that lead-in by 5 percent in women 18-34.

* On Friday, "Deal or No Deal" matched NBC's highest non-Olympic adult 18-49 rating in the Friday 8 p.m. ET hour in more than six months.

* Also on Friday, "Crusoe" won its time period in total viewers and "Life" was up in 18-49 rating for a second straight week.

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 October 20-26:

On Monday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) posted its second consecutive week of growth, increasing 8 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.6/7 from a 2.4/6) and 11 percent in total viewers (to 6.9 million from 6.2 million) versus a week earlier. Versus two weeks ago (October 6), "Chuck" gained 13 percent in 18-49 rating and 18 percent in total viewers.

In head-to-head competition, "Chuck" topped Fox's rival drama in the hour, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," by 30 percent in 18-49 rating (2.6 vs. 2.0). In fact, "Chuck" outperformed "Terminator" in every meaningful ratings measure � adults, men and women 18-34, adults, men and women18-49, adults, men and women 25-54, teens 12-17 and total viewers.

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.9/9 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) finished within one share of the lead in adults 18-49 in its highly competitive time period and won the hour in adults and men 18-34 and men 18-49. (Note: The "live plus same day" ratings for "Heroes" are increasing by 20 percent in "live plus seven day" results versus these "live plus same day" numbers in weeks for which Nielsen has calculated "L+7" data.)

From its first half-hour to its second, "Heroes" increased by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.0/8 from a 3.8/7), moving into first place from 9:30-10 p.m. ET in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and other key demographic measures.

At 10 p.m. ET, "My Own Worst Enemy" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-49, adults and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54, topping rival drama "Boston Legal" in those key demographics.

"My Own Worst Enemy" is by far the "youngest" of the three rival dramas competing on the broadcast networks in this hour. On this night, "My Own Worst Enemy," with a median age of 42.6 years, was more than 10 years younger than CBS's "CSI: Miami," which had a median age of 53.2 years. And "Enemy" was 13 years younger than ABC's "Boston Legal," which on this night had a median age of 55.6 years old.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 6" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) delivered significant half-hour-to-half-hour growth over its two-hour telecast, increasing by 31 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.4/8 from a 2.6/7) and 20 percent in total viewers (to 8.2 million from 6.8 million). By its final half-hour, "Biggest Loser" pulled to within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 in a crowded field that included Fox's "Fringe," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS's "The Mentalist."

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.5/10 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and virtually all other key demographic measures. In adults 18-34, "SVU" matched the ABC-CBS drama competition combined (a 3.0 for "SVU" vs. a 1.4 for CBS's "Without a Trace" and a 1.6 for ABC's "Eli Stone"). In adults 18-49, "SVU" posted a 35 percent margin of victory over CBS's second-place "Without a Trace" (3.5 vs. 2.6) and a 67 percent margin over ABC's "Eli Stone" (3.5 vs. 2.1).

On Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Knight Rider" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports program in the hour in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. Despite World Series competition, "Knight Rider" increased 10 percent in adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its second (to a 2.3/7 from a 2.1/7).

Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 38 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.2/6 from a 1.6/4) and by 29 percent, or more than 1.9 million persons in total viewers (to 8.6 million from 6.6 million). From 10-11 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" averaged a 1.7/4 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall.

On Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period among men 18-34, despite competition from World Series baseball coverage. At 8:30 p.m. ET, "Kath & Kim" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) retained 88 percent of its "Earl" lead-in in adults 18-49 and 90 percent in adults 18-34, while building on its lead-in by 5 percent in women 18-34.

Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.2/10 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time slot among the broadcast networks in men 18-34, topping Fox's World Series coverage, CBS's "CSI" and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" in that elusive demo. "The Office" ranked #2 in adults and women 18-34.

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" (4.0/9 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) retained 95 percent of its strong lead-in from "The Office" in 18-49 and built on that lead-in by 10 percent in total viewers. "SNL" ranked #1 in its highly competitive time period among men 18-34, topping "CSI," "Grey's Anatomy" and World Series baseball in that demo, and finished #2 in adults and women 18-34. The third of three special Thursday primetime editions of "SNL," this telecast lifted NBC 18 percent in 18-49 rating versus the network's average in this time period last season (4.0 vs. 3.4).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports telecast in the hour in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 versus the World Series, topping the third episodes of freshman dramas "Eleventh Hour" on CBS and "Life on Mars" on ABC in those key demographics. "ER" ranked #1 overall among women 18-49 and 18-34, beating World Series coverage and the drama competition in those demos.

On Friday, Oct. 24 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest non-Olympic 18-49 rating in this time period since April 18. "Deal" ranked #2 in the time slot in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. From its first half-hour to its second, "Deal" increased by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.4) and by 21 percent or 1.2 million persons in total viewers (to 6.7 million to 5.5 million).

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Crusoe" (1.3/4, 6.1 million viewers overall) won its time period in total viewers and finished within 1 share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Life" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) grew by 7 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week and has now been up for the last two weeks in a row. The October 24 telecast of "Life" increased from its first half-hour to its second by 7 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.5) and by 10 percent in total viewers (to 5.8 million from 5.3 million).

On Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, "America's Toughest Jobs" averaged a 0.7/3 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall. In total viewers, "Jobs" grew by 21 percent versus the prior week (2.9 million vs. 2.4 million). From 9-9:30 p.m., an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 1.9 million viewers overall.

Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 117 percent in 18-49 rating and 92 percent in total viewers. At 10 p.m., a second encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.7 million) built on its lead-in by 62 percent in 18-49 and 53 percent in total viewers to report NBC's top non-sports rating in this time period in adults 18-49 since November 24, 2007. In total viewers, it delivered NBC's biggest non-sports audience in the slot since March 29.

Saturday from 10:30-11 p.m. ET, a third rebroadcast of "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot, excluding sports, in more than a year and a half (since March 10, 2007). The "SNL" encore special ranked #1 in women 25-54 and #2 in women 18-49 and 18-34.

On Sunday, Oct. 26 from 8-10:30 p.m. ET, NBC's telecast of the 2005 feature film "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period among the broadcast networks in men 18-34. From 10:30-11 p.m., an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall, ranking #2 (tied) among the broadcast networks in men 18-34.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-8 p.m. ET averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall and a 1.7/3 household rating/share. 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.