'THE OFFICE,' 'ER,' 'BIGGEST LOSER' AND 'SVU' PACE NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF MARCH 9-15

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' WEIGHS IN WITH NBC'S TOP 18-49 RATING EVER, EXCLUDING OLYMPICS, VERSUS A REGULAR TWO-HOUR EDITION OF 'AMERICAN IDOL'

'THE BIGGEST LOSER: COUPLES' IS THE BIGGEST 'LOSER' CYCLE EVER IN TOTAL VIEWERS, UP 19 PERCENT VERSUS A YEAR AGO

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' ON TUESDAY DOMINATES ITS TIME PERIOD, WINNING IN ALL KEY RATINGS CATEGORIES � ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'SVU' HITS A 2008-09 SEASON-HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS

ON THURSDAY, 'ER' SEWS UP ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN 16 MONTHS AND ITS BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN MORE THAN TWO YEARS

'ER' WINS ITS TIME PERIOD IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS � POSTING A WEEK-TO-WEEK GAIN IN 18-49 FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK

'THE OFFICE' RANKS #10 THIS WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND #4 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS IN ADULTS 18-34

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � March 17, 2009 � Paced by the stellar performance of "The Biggest Loser: Couples" versus "American Idol" competition and strong ratings from "The Office," "ER" and "Law & Order; SVU," NBC averaged a 2.2 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall for the week of March 9-15, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"The Office" this week ranked #10 (tied) among all primetime programs in adults 18-49, despite competing head-to-head in its time period with two other top 10 programs � ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS's "CSI." Among adults 18-34, "The Office" ranked #4 among all programs for the week, behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol."

Primetime averages for the week of March 9-15 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.0/11), CBS (2.8/8), ABC (2.5/7), NBC (2.2/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (0.7/2) and Telemundo (0.5/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.1 million), Fox (10.9 million), ABC (8.3 million), NBC (6.1 million), Univision (3.8 million), CW (1.8 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Through the first 25 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is the only one of the major broadcast networks to decrease its median age versus the prior season. NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 47.0 years (versus 47.5 years at this point last season), only 2.1 years "older" than Fox (44.9 years). By comparison, ABC's median age this season is 48.9 and CBS's median age is 53.9.

Season to date, NBC is running within 0.6 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, versus a deficit of 1.4 points at this time last season.

NBC highlights for the week of March 9-15:

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating ever versus a two-hour regular edition of "American Idol," excluding Olympics. Despite the advent of Daylight Saving Time this week, "Loser" gained 9 percent in 18-49 rating and 5 percent in total viewers versus the prior week

* "The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up 14 percent in 18-49 and 19 percent in total viewers versus its year-ago cycle. The current, seventh cycle of "The Biggest Loser" is the biggest ever in total viewers, averaging 10.4 million viewers.

* "The Biggest Loser: Couples" ranked #2 in its Tuesday time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and most other key demographics, behind only "American Idol."

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" dominated its time period, winning in every key ratings category � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. In total viewers, this was the top-scoring "SVU" of the 2008-09 season to-date.

* On Wednesday, "Life" tracked down its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership in five weeks, despite facing head-to-head competition from "American Idol." These were the top results to date for "Life" in both 18-49 and total viewers in direct competition with "Idol."

* On Thursday, "ER" sewed up its highest 18-49 rating in more than 16 months and its biggest overall viewership in more than two years. "ER" posted week-to-week growth in 18-49 rating for the fourth consecutive week, gaining 18 percent in 18-49 and 25 percent in total viewers versus the prior week's telecast.

* "ER" won its Thursday time period in adults, men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and other key demographics. In adults 18-49, "ER" won the slot with a solid 21 percent margin over ABC's second-place "Private Practice" and a 48 percent advantage over CBS's "Eleventh Hour."

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 (tied with "Grey's Anatomy"), men 18-34 and men 18-49. In adults 18-49, "The Office" tied "CSI" for #2 in the half-hour.

* On Friday, "Friday Night Lights" gained 17 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week's telecast, finishing within one share of the time period lead 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 March 9-15:

On Monday, March 9 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 2.1 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall. Despite fierce competition in the time period that included ABC's debut of "Dancing With the Stars," Fox's "House" and CBS's first-run comedies, "Chuck" increased from its first half-hour to its second by 16 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.2/6 from a 1.9/5). This growth was particularly evident in key adult-male demographics, with "Chuck" gaining 20 percent in men 18-34, 21 percent in men 18-49 and 24 percent in men 25-54 from half-hour to half-hour.

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 52 percent in adults 18-49 and by 88 percent in adults 18-34 (to a 3.2/9 from a 1.7/5). It is worth noting that "Heroes" ratings through the season's first four months have increased by an average 22 percent in adults 18-49 when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" measures. This is the second-biggest increase among all primetime series on the major networks. In total viewers, "Heroes" has been adding an average 1.7 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted.

Monday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Medium" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) gained 4 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (2.5 vs. 2.4).

On Tuesday, March 10 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (3.8/10 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) weighed in with NBC's highest 18-49 rating ever against a regular two-hour edition of "American Idol." Despite the advent of Daylight Saving Time this week, "Loser" gained 9 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (3.8 vs. 3.5) and added 5 percent in total viewers (9.4 million vs. 9.0 million). "The Biggest Loser: Couples" ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and most other key demographics, behind only "American Idol."

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.4/11 from a 3.3/10) and 29 percent in total viewers (to 10.8 million from 8.4 million).

Versus the same night last year (also opposite a two-hour "Idol"), "The Biggest Loser: Couples" increased 27 percent in 18-49 rating (3.8/10 vs. 3.0/9) and 22 percent in total viewers (9.4 million vs. 7.7 million).

"The Biggest Loser: Couples," the seventh "Loser" cycle, is generating the show's biggest-ever audiences through 10 weeks of a cycle in total viewers (10.4 million).

"The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up versus its year-ago cycle by 14 percent in 18-49 (4.1 vs. 3.6, "most current") and 19 percent in total viewers (10.4 million vs. 8.7 million) versus the same weeks last year, while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 16 percent in 18-49 (10.3 vs. 12.2, "most current") and down 12 percent in total viewers (27.2 million vs. 30.7 million).

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.6/10 in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall) dominated its time period, ranking #1 in every key ratings category � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" margin of victory was 71 percent (3.6 vs. a 2.1 for CBS's encore "Without a Trace" in second place). "SVU" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults, men and women 18-34. It is worth noting that an "SVU" original has not lost this hour to regular competition in adults 18-49 in more than three years.

In total viewers, this was the top "Law & Order: SVU" of the 2008-09 season to-date.

NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and most other key demographics, behind only "Idol"-boosted Fox.

On Wednesday, March 11 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the debut of "Chopping Block" averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall. "Chopping Block" increased from its first half-hour to its second by 7 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.5 from a 1.4), 22 percent in adults 18-34 (1.1 vs. 0.9) and 30 percent in women 18-34 (1.3 vs. 1.0).

Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Life" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) tracked down its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership in five weeks, despite facing head-to-head competition from "American Idol" in the hour. These were the top results to date for "Life" in both 18-49 and total viewers when competing with "Idol." In adults 18-49, "Life" was up 13 percent versus the average of its previous two telecasts that faced "Idol" competition (1.7 vs. 1.5).

Wednesday at 10 p.m., "Law & Order" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 29 percent 18-49 rating and 47 percent in total viewers to lock up its top results by both measures since February 4. "Law & Order" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key measures.

On Thursday, March 12 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "My Name is Earl" averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall. From 8:30-9 p.m., "Kath & Kim" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from the "Earl" encore in a tough time period that included first-run competition from CBS's "Survivor," Fox's "Bones" and ABC's "Ugly Betty." In adults 18-34, "Kath & Kim" built on its lead-in by 33 percent (1.6 vs. 1.2) and among women 18-34, it built by 38 percent (to a 1.8 from a 1.3).

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 (tied with "Grey's Anatomy"), men 18-34 and men 18-49. In adults 18-49, "The Office" tied "CSI" for #2 in the half-hour and topped the CBS drama by an 88 percent margin among adults 18-34 (4.5 vs. 2.4). "The Office" built on its lead-in from the previous half-hour by 141 percent in 18-49 rating and by 97 percent or more than 3.7 million persons in total viewers.

Season-to-date, "The Office" is the #11-ranked primetime program in adults 18-49 (tied), despite airing in head-to-head competition with the #1 show on the CBS schedule ("CSI") and one of the two top shows on the ABC schedule ("Grey's Anatomy"). Among adults 18-34, "The Office" is primetime television's #4 show (averaging a 5.5/14 season-to-date in that demo), behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol."

Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in men 18-34 in an extremely competitive time period opposite the second half of "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI" and "Hell's Kitchen." "30 Rock" this week was up 22 percent versus its average in this post-"Office" time period last season (3.2 vs. 2.7). This week, "30 Rock" retained 81 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "The Office," well ahead of its 76 percent average retention this quarter following "Office" originals.

Thursday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (4.0/11 in 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall) hit its highest 18-49 rating in more than 16 months (since October 18, 2007) and its biggest overall viewership in more than two years (since February 15, 2007). Versus the prior week's telecast, "ER" increased 18 percent in 18-49 (4.0/11 vs. 3.4/9) and 25 percent or more than 2.1 million persons in total viewers (10.9 million vs. 8.7 million). This is the fourth consecutive week that "ER" has posted a week-to-week gain in 18-49 rating.

"ER" ranked #1 in adults, men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54 and other key demographics. In adults 18-49, "ER" won its slot with a solid 21 percent margin over ABC's "Private Practice" in second place (4.0 vs. 3.3) and a 48 percent advantage over CBS's "Eleventh Hour" (4.0 vs. 2.7).

On Friday, March 13 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" averaged a 1.2/4 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall, up 9 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.2 vs. 1.1). From 8:29-9 p.m., an encore telecast of "Howie Do It" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the first-run episode by 8 percent in 18-49 rating to match the highest 18-49 rating for a "Howie" encore, while attracting NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period since February 6. "Howie Do It" ranked #2 in the 8-9 p.m. hour in total viewers.

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 4.0 million viewers overall) gained 17 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.4 vs. 1.2) while adding 8 percent in total viewers week-to-week (4.0 million vs. 3.7 million). "Lights" finished within 1 share of the time period lead in adults 18-49. It is worth noting that, so far this season "Friday Night Lights" 18-49 rating has been increasing by an average of 19 percent when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. The current third season of "Friday Night Lights" has previously run on DirecTV.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) increased 15 percent in 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.3) and 6 percent in total viewers (5.2 million vs. 4.9 million) versus the prior Friday's telecast. "Dateline" ranked #1 in the time period among women 18-34 (tied).

On Saturday, March 14 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Celebrity Apprentice" averaged a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, the "Celebrity Apprentice" increased 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.9/3 from a 0.6/2).

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and most key ratings categories. From its first half-hour to second, "Law & Order" surged 56 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.4/4 from a 0.9/3) and 39 percent or more than 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 5.4 million from 3.8 million).

On Sunday, March 15 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 4.3 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased by 20 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.2 from a 1.0), 25 percent in adults 25-54 (to a 1.5 from a 1.2), 33 percent in women 25-54 (1.6 vs. 1.2), 30 percent in women 18-49 (to a 1.3 from a 1.0) and 38 percent in women 18-34 (to a 1.1 from a 0.8).

Sunday from 8-10 p.m. ET, the premiere of "Kings" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall. "Kings" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 45 percent in 18-49 rating and 41 percent in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Kings" increased 13 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.8 from a 1.6) and 19 percent in men 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.6).

Sunday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 75 percent in adults 18-49. "Celebrity Apprentice" was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period this season prior to "Apprentice's" debut (2.8 vs. 2.3, "live plus same day"). "Celebrity Apprentice" finished within 2 shares of the time-period lead in adults 18-49, ranking #2 in that key demo, while tying for a time-period win in men 18-49 (tied with CBS's "The Unit") and men 18-34 (tied with ABC's "Brothers and Sisters").

From its first half-hour to its second, "Celebrity Apprentice" increased by 7 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.9/8 from a 2.7/7) and by 7 percent in total viewers (to 7.0 million from 6.6 million). "Celebrity Apprentice" also grew from half-hour to half-hour by 11 percent in adults 18-34 (to a 2.1 from a 1.9), 9 percent in women 18-34 (2.4 vs. 2.2) and 8 percent in women 25-54 (to a 3.9 from a 3.6)