PACED BY 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' AND 'THE OFFICE,' NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 8-14

PACED BY 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' AND 'THE OFFICE,' NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 8-14

IN THE VALUABLE ADULT 18-34 DEMO, NBC WINS THE WEEK WITH THREE OF THE TOP FIVE AND SIX OF THE TOP 10 TELECASTS, INCLUDING THE TOP TWO SHOWS - 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' AND 'THE OFFICE'

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' IS THE #1 PRIMETIME TELECAST OF THE SEASON IN ADULTS 18-49 AND HIGHEST IN TOTAL VIEWERS SINCE THE OBAMA INTERVIEW ON '60 MINUTES'

THIS WEEK'S GIANTS-COWBOYS GAME ATTRACTS THE BIGGEST TOTAL VIEWERSHIP IN THE THREE-YEAR HISTORY OF 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL'

'THE OFFICE' IS THE #5 SHOW OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND THE #2 PROGRAM IN ADULTS 18-34

THE PENULTIMATE EPISODE OF 'BIGGEST LOSER 6' ON TUESDAY WEIGHS IN WITH ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING AND BIGGEST TOTAL VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON

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

NBC'S THURSDAY COMEDY LINEUP OF 'MY NAME IS EARL,' 'KATH & KIM,' 'THE OFFICE' AND '30 ROCK' HITS ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING SINCE OCTOBER 30

'DATELINE' ON FRIDAY WINS ITS SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49, ADULTS 25-54 AND ADULTS 18-34 AND KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS

'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' GATHERS NBC'S BIGGEST NON-SPORTS SATURDAY PRIMETIME AUDIENCE IN EIGHT MONTHS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � December 16, 2008 � Paced by "NBC Sunday Night Football," the #1 program of the week in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, NBC ranked #2 in adults 18-49, finishing within one-tenth of a rating point of first place with a 3.2 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.8 million viewers overall for the week of December 8-14, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. NBC won the week in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys was the #1 primetime program aired on any network this season in adults 18-49, beating all telecasts on all networks since the September 21 edition of "SNF," which aired the night before the start of the traditional television season. In total viewers, it's the top-scoring primetime telecast on any network since CBS's November 16 "60 Minutes," which featured an interview of President Elect Barack Obama. In total viewers for the season, the December 14 "SNF" is #3 overall behind only that November 16 "60 Minutes" and the October 9 season premiere of "CSI."

Additionally, "NBC Sunday Night Football" was the #1 primetime program of the week in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewer, teens 12-17 and in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. Among adults 18-49, this week's game is the second highest-rated of the current season (trailing only the September 21 Dallas-Green Bay game). In total viewers, this week's Giants-Cowboys matchup, with an average 23.1 million viewers for its full duration, is the top "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast in the three-year history of the franchise.

Also ranking in the top 20 this week (out of more than 100 programs on the broadcast networks) in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49 were "The Office" (#5), "30 Rock" (#12, tied), "Law & Order: SVU" (#15, tied) and "The Biggest Loser" and "Heroes" (#18, tied). (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

NBC was dominant in the weekly rankings among adults 18-34, programming three of the top five and six of the top 10 programs of the week in this valuable demographic, including the #1 and #2 programs � "NBC Sunday Night Football" and "The Office." Other NBC shows in the top 10 among adults 18-34 were "30 Rock" (#4, tied), "Heroes (#6) and "The Biggest Loser" and "Law & Order: SVU" (#8, tied) (rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

Through the first 12 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 50.2 and CBS's median age is 53.4. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.1 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 8-14 in adults 18-49 were CBS (3.3/8), NBC (3.2/9), Fox (2.2/6), ABC (1.9/5), Univision (1.5/4), CW (0.6/2) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.9 million), NBC (8.8 million), ABC (6.3 million), Fox (6.0 million), Univision (4.0 million), CW (1.5 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Versus the same week last year, NBC is up 14 percent in 18-49 (3.2/9 vs. 2.8/8) and 2 percent in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 8.6 million).

NBC highlights for the week of December 8-14:

* The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys propelled NBC to a Sunday night win in adults 18-49, total viewers and most key measures.

* In total viewers, this was the top Sunday primetime performance for any network since NBC's August 24 telecast of the Beijing Olympics closing ceremonies. In adults 18-49, it was the best Sunday primetime performance for any network since NBC's September 21 "Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Cowboys-Packers game.

* On Tuesday, the penultimate episode of "The Biggest Loser 6" weighed in with its highest 18-49 rating and heftiest overall viewership of the season. "Loser" gained 37 percent in 18-49 rating and 29 percent or 2.4 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, to rank #1 from 9-10 p.m. in nearly all key demographics, including adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" captured its biggest overall viewership of the season. "SVU" won its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures, topping the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34.

* On Thursday, NBC's lineup of "My Name is Earl," "Kath & Kim," "The Office," "30 Rock" and "ER" all posted across-the-board gains in adults 18-49 and total viewers versus the prior week. NBC's Thursday comedy block delivered its strongest performance since October 30.

* "Kath & Kim" on Thursday hit a five-week high in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, gaining 9 percent in both measures versus the prior week.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" filed its best results in six weeks and "30 Rock" rolled to a five-week high in adults 18-49. Both award-winning comedies ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 in their respective time periods.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its time period in seven months, excluding Olympics and the Presidential debate night. "Dateline" won its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos.

* Also on Friday, "Lipstick Jungle" attracted its biggest overall viewership since moving to Fridays on October 31.

* On Saturday, NBC's 24th primetime telecast of the 1946 film classic "It's a Wonderful Life" gathered together NBC's biggest Saturday primetime audience, excluding sports, in eight months.

* This week's Giants-Cowboys "Sunday Night Football" matchup was up 62 percent in 18-49 rating and 58 percent or 8.4 million persons in total viewers versus the comparable game last season.

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 8-14:

On Monday, Dec. 8 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.4 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 4 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.5 from a 2.4) and by 14 percent in men 18-49 (to a 2.5 from a 2.2).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.6/9 in adults 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34, men 18-49 and men 18-34. In adults 18-49, "Heroes" matched its highest rating since October 27. In its second half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m., "Heroes" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, as well as among adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

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. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Heroes" is the second most time-shifted primetime series on the major networks (tied with "Lipstick Jungle," and trailing only "The Office") gaining 47 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Also of note, "Heroes" is the #9-ranked primetime program season-to-date in adults 18-49 and the #7 show in adults 18-34. It is one of the youngest dramas on any major network (with a median age of 36.8 years).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "My Own Worst Enemy" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 3.6 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. 9 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the penultimate episode of "The Biggest Loser 6" (3.6/10 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) weighed in with its highest 18-49 rating and biggest total viewership of the season to date. Versus the prior week, "Loser" gained 6 percent in 18-49 rating (3.6/10 vs. 3.4/9) and 7 percent in total viewers (9.4 million vs. 8.8 million). Versus two weeks ago, "Loser" is up 38 percent in 18-49 rating (3.6/10 vs. 2.6/7) and 36 percent or more than 2.4 million persons in total viewers (9.4 million vs. 6.9 million).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "The Biggest Loser" increased by 37 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.1/10 from a 3.0/8) and by 29 percent or 2.4 million persons in total viewers (to 10.4 million from 8.0 million). For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "The Biggest Loser" ranked #1 in nearly all key demographics, including adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34. In the 8-9 p.m. hour, "Loser" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and other key demos, behind only Fox's first-run "House."

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 11.0 million viewers overall) captured its biggest overall viewership of the season and matched its highest 18-49 rating since September 30. "SVU" won its hour in adults 18-49 and all other key demos, topping the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34. "SVU" was also #1 in the hour in total viewers.

On Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "Little Spirit: Christmas in New York" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) won its hour among kids 2-11.

Wednesday at 9 p.m., "Life" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. "Life," which built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 36 percent in 18-49 rating, was up 12 percent in 18-49 rating versus its last episode to air against a first-run telecast of slot leader "Criminal Minds" (1.9/5 vs. a 1.7/4 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. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Life" is gaining 40 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and virtually all key measures. "Law & Order" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 16 percent in 18-49 rating and 33 percent in total viewers.

On Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.7/7, 6.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults and men 18-34. "Earl" earned its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks (since November 13), up 8 percent in 18-49 (2.7/8 vs. 2.5/7) and 7 percent in total viewers (6.5 million vs. 6.1 million) versus the prior week.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "Kath & Kim" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) hit a five-week high (since November 6) in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, gaining 9 percent in both measures versus the prior week (a 2.2/6 and 4.9 million viewers overall). The freshman comedy ranked #2 in its slot among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and #1 among men 18-34. "Kath & Kim" retained 89 percent of its adults 18-49 lead-in and 100 percent of its adults 18-34 lead-in. "Kath & Kim" built on its lead-in among women 18-34 by 4 percent.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.7/12 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) filed its top results in both 18-49 and total viewers in six weeks (since October 30), gaining 7 percent in 18-49 and 4 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (a 4.4/11 in 18-49 and 8.5 million viewers overall). "The Office" ranked #2 in its time period among adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

Season-to-date, "The Office" is the #7-ranked primetime program in adults 18-49, despite airing in head-to-head competition with the #1 show on the ABC schedule ("Grey's Anatomy") and the #1 show on the CBS schedule ("CSI"). Among adults 18-34, "The Office" is primetime television's #2 show, behind only "Grey's Anatomy."

"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" (3.8/9 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating since November 6 and its biggest overall viewership since November 13, up 12 percent in 18-49 and 3 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (a 3.4/8 in 18-49 and 7.2 million viewers overall). "Rock" ranked #1 in the time period among the broadcast networks in adults and men 18-34 and #2 in 18-49 and other key measures. Versus its average in this post-"Office" time period last season, "30 Rock" was up 41 percent in 18-49 rating (3.8 vs. 2.7) and 37 percent in total viewers (7.4 million vs. 5.4 million). All six telecasts of "30 Rock" so far this season have matched or beaten the series' record 18-49 rating prior to this season.

"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" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) sewed up its best results in both 18-49 and total viewers in four weeks (since November 13), increasing 9 percent in 18-49 rating and 10 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (a 3.2/9 in 18-49 and 8.2 million viewers overall). "ER" ranked #2 in the time slot in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

On Friday, Dec. 12 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "Greatest Holiday Moments: Songs of the Season Countdown" averaged a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall, delivering NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period in three weeks.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall audience since moving to Fridays on October 31. 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 (tied with "Heroes," and 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" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in seven months (since May 2), excluding Olympics (also excluding Presidential debate analysis on September 26). In total viewers, it was NBC's biggest non-Olympic viewership in the slot (excluding the debate night) since July 25. "Dateline," which featured an hour-long report on the case surrounding the disappearance of 3-year-old Caylee Anthony, won its hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demos. Versus the prior week, "Dateline" was up 91 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1/6 from a 1.1/3) and 84 percent or 3.2 million persons in total viewers (to 7.1 million from 3.8 million).

On Saturday, Dec. 13 from 8-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 1946 film classic "It's a Wonderful Life" gathered NBC's biggest overall Saturday primetime audience (excluding sports) in eight months (since April 12). "It's a Wonderful Life" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its sixth by 100 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8/6 from a 0.9/3) and by 54 percent or 2.2 million persons in total viewers (to 6.2 million from 4.0 million). NBC ranked #2 for the night in adults 18-49 (tied), adults 25-54 and other key demos. This marks NBC's 24th primetime run of "It's a Wonderful Life," directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, since the movie was brought to broadcast network television in 1994.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys was the #1 telecast on Sunday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key measures. It averaged an 8.6/21 in adults 18-49, 23.1 million viewers overall and a 13.7/21 household rating/share for its full duration from 8:25-11:30 p.m. ET. The 8.6 rating for the game in adults 18-49

Sunday's Giants-Cowboys game was up 62 percent in 18-49 rating and 58 percent or 8.4 million persons in total viewers versus the comparable game last year (a 5.3/13 in 18-49 and 14.6 million viewers overall for the Redskins-Giants on December 16, 2007).

"NBC Sunday Night Football" was the #1 primetime telecast on Sunday in virtually all-key measures, propelling NBC to a Sunday night win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers, teens 12-17 and all key adult-male demographics. NBC also ranked #1 among women 18-34 and tied for #1 among women 18-49. For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 7.2/18 in 18-49 and 19.5 million viewers overall.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-8:01 p.m. ET averaged a 2.8/8 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall and a 4.5/8 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 8:01-8:15 p.m. delivered a 4.0/11 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall and a 6.5/11 in households. From 8:15-8:25 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 5.2/14 in 18-49, 14.2 million viewers overall and an 8.5/14 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.