NBC RESULTS FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF DEC. 1-7

'THE OFFICE' IS THE #1 COMEDY OF THE WEEK AND THE SEASON IN ADULTS 18-49

'LIFE' ON WEDNESDAY DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP IN MORE THAN A YEAR, AND SCORES A REGULAR-SLOT SEASON HIGH IN ADULTS 18-49, SURGING 41 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 50 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS ITS MOST RECENT TELECAST

ALSO ON WEDNESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER' LOCKS UP ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING AND BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON, SOARING 76 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 79 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK

'BIGGEST LOSER' ON TUESDAY DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON, GAINING 31 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 27 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' WINS ITS TUESDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES, TOPPING THE ABC-CBS DRAMA COMPETITION COMBINED IN ADULTS 18-34

'HEROES' ON MONDAY POSTS WEEK-TO-WEEK GROWTH AND WINS ITS TIME PERIOD DECISIVELY IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

ALSO ON MONDAY, 'CHUCK' DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � December 9, 2008 � Paced by "The Office," "Heroes," "Law & Order; SVU," "The Biggest Loser" and "NBC Sunday Night Football," NBC averaged a 2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall for the week of December 1-7, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Washington Redskins at the Baltimore Ravens was the #1 primetime program of the week in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (excluding football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts). In primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, "Sunday Night Football" ranked #4 (tied). "The Office," which is the #1 comedy on television season-to-date in adults 18-49, ranked #1 this week among all comedies and #7 among all programs in that key demographic.

In adults 18-34, "The Office" ranked #3 among all primetime programs this week, behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives." Season-to-date, "The Office" is the #2 primetime program in adults 18-34, behind only "Grey's Anatomy." Also ranking among the top 20 programs for the week of December 1-7 in adults 18-34 were "NBC Sunday Night Football" (#6), "30 Rock" (#9), "Heroes" (#11) and "The Biggest Loser" and "Law & Order; SVU" (#19, tied). (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

Through the first 11 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 46.0 years, only 1.0 year "older" than Fox (45.0 years). By comparison, ABC's median age is 50.3 and CBS's median age is 53.5. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.2 of a rating point of first place in adults 18-34 and 0.3 of a rating point of first place in adults 18-49.

Primetime averages for the week of December 1-7 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.9/8), ABC and CBS (2.8/8), NBC (2.6/7), Univision (1.5/4), CW (0.6/2) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.9 million), ABC (8.6 million), Fox (7.7 million), NBC (7.5 million), Univision (4.0 million), CW (1.7 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 1-7:

* On Monday, "Heroes" won its time period decisively in adults 18-49 and also ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults and women 18-34 and in all key adult-male demographics. "Heroes" posted week-to-week gains in both 18-49 rating and total viewers. Of note, "Heroes" has been adding an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating when "live plus seven day" results are reported.

* Also on Monday, "Chuck" attracted its largest total viewership of the season, growing 12 percent versus the prior week in that measure.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" attracted its biggest viewership of the season while scoring its second-highest 18-49 rating of the current cycle. "Loser" gained 31 percent in 18-49 rating and 27 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" grew by 46 percent in 18-49 rating and 27 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers to rank #1 in adults 18-49 in its final half-hour, topping such competition as CBS's "The Mentalist" and Fox's "Fringe" in its final half-hour.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" won its hour in adults 18-49 and other key measures, matching or topping the ABC-CBS drama competition in the time period in adults, men and women 18-34. "SVU" gained 13 percent in 18-49 and 20 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

* On Wednesday, the special "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" delivered year-to-year growth of 10 percent in 18-49 rating and 16 percent in total viewers, despite head-to-head competition this year from CBS's holiday special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

* Also on Wednesday, "Life" apprehended its biggest total viewership in more than a year and scored its highest 18-49 rating for a regular-slot telecast so far this season. "Life" surged 41 percent in 18-49 rating and 50 percent in total viewers versus its prior original telecast on November 19.

* Additionally on Wednesday, "Law & Order" locked up its highest 18-49 rating and biggest total viewership of the season, soaring 76 percent in 18-49 and 79 percent or 5.0 million persons in total viewers versus the prior week. "Law & Order" won its hour in total viewers and adults, men and women 25-54, and ranked #2 in adults 18-49.

* On Thursday, "The Office" ranked #1 in its tough time period in key male demographics and #2 in adults 18-34 and other measures. In adults 18-49, "The Office" pulled within one tenth of a rating point of "CSI" in the race for #2 and finished within two shares of slot leader "Grey's Anatomy."

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 1-7:

On Monday, Dec. 1 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.5 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 4 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.5/6 from a 2.4/6) and by 12 percent in total viewers (to 7.3 million from 6.5 million) to deliver its biggest viewership of the season to date. "Chuck" was #1 among the broadcast networks in men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54 (tied for #1 in the latter demo). From its first half-hour to its second, "Chuck" grew by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (to 2.6 from 2.4).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.6/9 in adults 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) won its time period decisively in adults 18-49 and also ranked #1 among adults and women 18-34 and in all key adult-male demographics.

Week-to-week, "Heroes" gained 3 percent in 18-49 rating and 6 percent in total viewers. Versus its lead-in, "Heroes" increased by 44 percent in 18-49 rating. From its first half-hour to its second, "Heroes" grew 6 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.7/9 from a 3.5/8) to rank #1 among the broadcast networks from 9:30-10 p.m. in virtually all key measures, including adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and total viewers.

It is worth noting that "Heroes" has been adding an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "Heroes" has been adding an average 1.7 million viewers overall to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers.

Also of note, "Heroes" is the #9-ranked primetime program season-to-date in adults 18-49 and the #8 show (tied) in adults 18-34. It is one of the youngest dramas on any major network (with a median age of 36.8 years) and is one of the most time-shifted dramas on television (with time-shirting adding an average 46 percent to its "live only" rating in adults 18-49).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "My Own Worst Enemy" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall.) ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34, topping ABC's first-run "Boston Legal" in those demographics.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 6" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest total viewership of the season and scored its second-highest 18-49 rating of the current cycle. Versus the prior week, "Loser" gained 31 percent in 18-49 rating (3.4/9 vs. 2.6/7) and 27 percent or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 6.9 million).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Biggest Loser" increased by 46 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.1/10 from a 2.8/8) and by 27 percent or more than 2.0 million persons in total viewers (to 9.8 million from 7.7 million). In its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m., "Biggest Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures against such competition as CBS's "The Mentalist," Fox's "Fringe" and ABC's "According to Jim." "Loser" also ranked #1 in adults 18-49 in the 9-10 p.m. hour, tied with "The Mentalist."

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.6/10 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) won its hour in adults 18-49 and other key demos, matching or topping the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in the time period in adults, men and women 18-34. "SVU" increased versus the prior week by 13 percent in 18-49 rating 3.6/10 vs. 3.2/9) and by 20 percent or more than 1.7 million persons in total viewers (10.3 million vs. 8.6 million).

On Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) posted year-to-year growth of 10 percent in 18-49 rating and 16 percent in total viewers versus last year's telecast (2.0/5 in 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) despite head-to-head competition this year from CBS's holiday special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" ranked #2 in the hour in total viewers, adults 25-54 and other key measures and was #1 in the hour in household ratings, delivering a 6.5/10 household rating/share.

Wednesday at 9 p.m., "Life" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) hit a season high for a regular-slot telecast in adults 18-49 and attracted its biggest total viewership in more than a year (since October 3, 2007). This "Life" episode outscored all the show's regular-slot Friday and Wednesday telecasts this season (trailing in 18-49 rating only a special Monday telecast on September 29). "Life" surged 41 percent in 18-49 rating (2.4/6 vs. 1.7/4) and 50 percent or 2.7 million persons in total viewers (8.1 million vs. 5.4 million) versus its prior original telecast on November 19.

It is worth noting that "Life" has been adding an average 23 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. This makes "Life" the #2 series on the major broadcast networks in terms of biggest percentage increase from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven," behind only "Lipstick Jungle." In total viewers, "Life" has been adding an average 882,000 viewers overall to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall) locked up season-high results in all key measures, scoring its highest 18-49 rating since April 30 and its biggest overall viewership since April 23. Week-to-week, "Law & Order" was up 76 percent in 18-49 rating (3.0/8 vs. 1.7/5) and 79 percent or 5.0 million persons in total viewers (11.3 million vs. 6.3 million). "Law & Order" ranked #1 in the time period in adults, men and women 25-54 and total viewers, and was #2 in adults 18-49.

On Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.5/7, 6.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 (tied) and men 18-34 and #2 in men 18-49 and 25-54. At 8:30 p.m. ET, "Kath & Kim" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) retained 88 percent of its adults 18-49 lead-in and 95 percent of its adults 18-34 lead-in. "Kath & Kim" retained 100 percent of its lead-in among women 18-49, while building on its lead-in among women 18-34 by 13 percent.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.4/11 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its highly competitive time period in men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping CBS's "CSI," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" encore in those demos. "The Office" ranked #2 in its time period in adults and women 18-34 and men 25-54. In adults 18-49, "The Office" pulled within one tenth of a rating point of "CSI" in the race for #2 (4.4 vs. 4.5) and finished within two shares of slot leader "Grey's Anatomy."

Season-to-date, "The Office" is tied as the #1 comedy on television in adults 18-49 despite airing in head-to-head competition with the #1 show on the ABC schedule and the #1 show on the CBS schedule.

"The Office" has been adding an average 19 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "The Office" has been adding an average 1.4 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted. Counting all time shifting, "The Office" is the most time-shifted program on the major networks, gaining 51 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.4/8 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in men 18-34 and #2 in adults and women 18-34 and men 18-49. Versus its average in this post-"Office" time period last season, "30 Rock" was up 26 percent in 18-49 rating (3.4 vs. 2.7) and 33 percent in total viewers (7.2 million vs. 5.4 million).

"30 Rock" has been adding an average 17 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "30 Rock" has been adding an average 1.1 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" averaged a 3.2/9 in 18-49 and 8.2 million viewers overall against atypical competition from ABC's "Most Fascinating People" Barbara Walters special. "ER" was up versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a Barbara Walters special, by 3 percent in 18-49 rating (3.2/9 vs. 3.1/8) and by 1 percent in total viewers (8.2 million vs. 8.1 million).

On Friday, Dec. 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "Greatest Holiday Moments: TV and Film Countdown" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall. It is worth noting that "Lipstick Jungle" has been adding an average 32 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. This makes "Lipstick Jungle" the #1 primetime network series in terms of percentage increase from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven" ratings. In total viewers, "Lipstick Jungle" has been adding an average 957,000 viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Lipstick Jungle" is the second most time-shifted primetime series on the major networks (trailing only "The Office") gaining 47 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) reported NBC's highest overall viewership in this time period in six weeks (since October 24).

On Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET, "Crusoe" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 75 percent in 18-49 rating and 63 percent in total viewers.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Washington Redskins at the Baltimore Ravens averaged a 5.0/12 in adults 18-49, 13.3 million viewers overall and an 8.1/13 household rating/share for its full duration from 8:24-11:02 p.m. ET. For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 4.3/11 in 18-49 and 11.4 million viewers overall.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall and a 2.5/4 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:14 p.m. delivered a 2.6/7 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall and a 4.8/9 in households. From 8:15-8:24 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 3.3/9 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall and a 5.8/9 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.