'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' AND 'THE OFFICE' PACE NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF MAY 17-23

ON SUNDAY, 'THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' FINALE DELIVERS THE HIGHEST 18-49 RATING FOR ANY 'APPRENTICE' TELECAST SINCE MARCH 2009 AND BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP FOR ANY 'APPRENTICE' SINCE MARCH 2008

'THE OFFICE' IS THE #2 SHOW ON TELEVISION THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49, BEHIND ONLY THE SEASON FINALE OF 'GREY'S ANATOMY'

ON TUESDAY, 'PARENTHOOD' POSTS ITS THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK OF GROWTH IN BOTH 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'PARENTHOOD' WINS THE TUESDAY 10 P.M. HOUR IN 18-49 VERSUS ORIGINAL DRAMAS ON ABC AND CBS AND HAS NOW RANKED #1 OR TIED FOR #1 AGAINST REGULAR COMPETITION FOR EIGHT OF THE LAST NINE WEEKS

ALSO ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' GAINS 42 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 43 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, DESPITE COMPETITION FROM THE LIKES OF 'AMERICAN IDOL,' 'GLEE,' 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' AND 'NCIS'

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' WINS ITS HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS VERSUS FIRST-RUN COMPETITION

'PARKS AND RECREATION,' '30 ROCK' AND 'MARRIAGE REF' ALL POST WEEK-TO-WEEK GAINS IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - May 25, 2010 - Paced by "Celebrity Apprentice," "The Office," "The Biggest Loser," "30 Rock," "Law & Order: SVU" and "Parenthood," NBC averaged a 1.9 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall for the week of May 17-23, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"The Office" on Thursday and "The Celebrity Apprentice" on Sunday led NBC's primetime performance this week - each show scored a 3.4 rating in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49 while facing such formidable time-period competition as the season finales of "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI" on Thursday and the series finale of "Lost" on Sunday. "The Office" and "Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #13 (tied) among all primetime programs this week in adults 18-49.

Primetime averages for the week of May 17-23 in adults 18-49 were ABC (2.9/9), Fox (2.7/9), CBS (2.2/7), NBC (1.9/6) and CW (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (9.9 million), ABC (8.9 million), Fox (7.8 million), NBC (5.9 million) and CW (1.4 million).

Season to date through 35 weeks, NBC is tied for #3 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and tied for #2 in adults 18-34.

Through Sunday, May 23, with 25 nights of the 28-night Nielsen May sweep measured, sweep averages in adults 18-49 are: Fox (2.7/8), ABC (2.5/8), CBS (2.4/7), NBC (1.9/6) and CW (0.9/3). In total viewers, the 25-night May sweep averages are CBS (10.0 million), ABC (8.2 million), Fox (7.5 million), NBC (5.6 million) and CW (1.9 million).

NBC highlights for the week of May 17-23

* On Sunday, the season finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice" scored the highest 18-49 rating for any "Apprentice" telecast since March 2009 and attracted the biggest overall viewership for any "Apprentice" since March 2008, despite competition from the series finale of "Lost."

* Sunday's "Celebrity Apprentice," in which Donald Trump named Bret Michaels this year's Celebrity Apprentice, was the top-scoring finale in both adults 18-49 and total viewers among the three "Apprentice" cycles to run on Sunday night. Versus last year's finale, this year's "Celebrity Apprentice" conclusion was up 10 percent in adults 18-49 and 7 percent in total viewers.

* Versus the prior week's "Celebrity Apprentice," this week's finale jumped 48 percent in 18-49 and 53 percent or more than 3.2 million persons in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Celebrity Apprentice" increased by 19 percent in 18-49 rating and by 21 percent or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers, despite competition from the "Lost" finale.

* On Tuesday, "Parenthood" ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key demos in the 10 p.m. ET hour, topping the original drama competition of CBS's "The Good Wife" and ABC's V." "Parenthood" has now ranked #1 in its slot in adults 18-49 versus regular competition for eight of the last nine weeks.

* This marks the third consecutive week of growth for "Parenthood" in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. Among adults 18-49, "Parenthood" is up 4 percent versus one week ago, 8 percent versus two weeks ago and 13 percent versus three weeks ago.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" gained 42 percent in adults 18-49 and 43 percent or nearly 3.0 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, despite tough competition that included Fox's "American Idol" and "Glee," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and "Lost" and CBS's "NCIS" and "NCIS: LA."

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" won its time period in adults 18-49 and other key ratings categories, topping CBS's "CSI: NY" and ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do?" "SVU" more than doubled its lead-ins in adults 18-49 and total viewers while the ABC and CBS competition declined in both categories versus their respective lead-ins. This marks the 11th consecutive time a "Law & Order: SVU" original has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among regular programs in this time period in adults 18-49.

* "Law & Order: SVU" was up 29 percent in 18-49 and 25 percent in total viewers versus NBC's average in its Wednesday time period during the traditional 2008-09 season.

* On Thursday, "Parks and Recreation" was up week-to-week in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the second straight week to score its highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since March 4. "Parks" ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 18-34.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" was the #2 show of the night in the key demographic of adults 18-49, behind only the "Grey's Anatomy" season finale. "The Office" ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-34 and men 18-49 versus the season finales of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "CSI" and Fox's "Fringe."

* Among all primetime programs on the major networks this week, "The Office" ranked #13 (tied) in adults 18-49, #6 in adults 18-34 and #3 in men 18-34

* Additionally on Thursday, "30 Rock" gained 8 percent in both 18-49 and total viewers versus the prior week, while "The Marriage Ref" jumped 25 percent in adults 18-49 and 12 percent in total viewers week-to-week despite special competition this week from the concluding hour of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" season finale.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" increased from its first half-hour to its fourth by 42 percent in adults 18-49 and 29 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in total viewers. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline" ranked #1 in all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

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 May 17-23:

On Monday, May 17 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 1.9 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall in a time period that included competition from ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," Fox's "House," and CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" and "Rules of Engagement." It's worth noting that so far this season, "Chuck" has added an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.1 million total viewers when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

Monday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) locked up NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this two-hour time period since March 25 and biggest overall audience in the slot since March 1. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Law & Order" increased by 20 percent in adults 18-49 (1.8 vs. 1.5).

On Tuesday, May 18 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (3.1/8 in adults 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) gained from its first half-hour to its fourth 42 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 3.7/9 from a 2.6/8) and 43 percent or nearly 3.0 million persons in total viewers (to 9.9 million from 6.9 million). "Biggest Loser" ranked #2 in its highly competitive two-hour time period among women 18-49, behind only the Fox lineup of "American Idol" and "Glee" in those demos.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Parenthood" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) won the time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos over the first-run drama competition of CBS's "The Good Wife" and ABC's V." "Parenthood" scored its top results in both adults 18-49 and total viewers since April 20.

This marks the third straight week of growth for "Parenthood" in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. In adults 18-49, "Parenthood" is up 4 percent versus one week ago (2.7 vs.. 2.6), 8 percent versus two weeks ago (2.7 vs. 2.5) and 13 percent versus three weeks ago (2.7 vs. 2.4).

"Parenthood" has ranked #1 in its slot in adults 18-49 versus regular competition for eight of the last nine weeks. It's also worth noting that "Parenthood" has added an average 31 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.7 million total viewers when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

On Wednesday, May 19 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Minute To Win It" (1.5/5 in adults 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 23 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.6 from a 1.3) and by 22 percent or more than 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 5.8 million from 4.8 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34, topping CBS's "CSI: NY" and ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do?" This marks the 11th consecutive time a "Law & Order: SVU" original has ranked #1 or tied for #1 among regular programs in this time period in adults 18-49.

"SVU" more than doubled its lead-ins in adults 18-49 and total viewers while the competition on ABC and CBS declined in both categories versus their respective lead-ins. From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" increased by 12 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.8/8 from a 2.5/7) and 11 percent in total viewers (to 9.3 million from 8.3 million).

"SVU" was up 29 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period for the traditional 2008-09 season (2.7 vs. 2.1). In total viewers, "SVU" was up 25 percent or more than 1.7 million persons versus NBC's average in the slot for the 2008-09 regular season (8.8 million vs. 7.0 million). "Law & Order: SVU" has added an average 23 percent to its 18-49 rating and more than 1.4 million total viewers when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

On Thursday, May 20 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Community" (2.0/7 in adults 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since March 25 to rank #2 among the major networks in the half-hour in adults 18-49. "Community" ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34 (tie) and men 18-34 and #2 in men and women 18-49, women 18-34 and men 25-54. It's worth noting that so far this season, "Community" has added 24 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, "Parks and Recreation" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 and total-viewer results since March 4 to rank #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 18-34. "Parks" built on its lead-in by 10 percent in 18-49 rating and has retained 95 percent or more of its lead-in with 23 of 24 original telecasts this season.

"Parks and Recreation" was up week-to-week in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the second straight week, up 10 percent in 18-49 versus one week ago (2.2 vs. 2.0) and 16 percent versus two weeks ago (2.2 vs. 1.9). In total viewers, "Parks" was up 7 percent versus last week (4.6 million vs. 4.3 million) and up 14 percent versus two weeks ago (4.6 million vs. 4.0 million). It's worth noting that "Parks and Recreation" has added 19 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.4/10 in adults 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 among the major networks in adults 18-34 (tie), men 18-34 and men 18-49 versus the season finales of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "CSI" and Fox's "Fringe." "The Office" is a heavily time-shifted show, adding an average 29 percent to its 18-49 rating so far this season when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "The Office" adds more than 1.9 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" results when "live plus seven day" ratings are released.

"The Office" was the #2 show of the night in the key demographic of adults 18-49, behind only the "Grey's Anatomy" season finale.

Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) was up week-to-week by 8 percent in both adults 18-49 (2.7 vs. 2.5) and total viewers (5.4 million vs. 5.0 million). "30 Rock" matched its top 18-49 rating since March 25. In the time period, "30 Rock" ranked #1 among men 18-34 and men 18-49 (tie) and #2 in adults and women 18-34, airing against "Grey's Anatomy" and the concluding half-hours of "CSI" and "Fringe." "30 Rock" is a heavily time-shifted program, so far this season adding an average 26 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from its "live plus same day" to its "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "30 Rock" adds more than 1.3 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" results when "live plus seven day" ratings are released.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "The Marriage Ref" (2.0/6 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall) jumped week-to-week by 25 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.0 from a 1.6) and 12 percent in total viewers (4.5 million vs. 4.0 million) despite special competition this week from the concluding hour of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" season finale. Among men 18-34, "Marriage Ref" ranked #2 among the major networks in the hour, topping the season finale of CBS's "The Mentalist."

On Friday, May 21 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" averaged a 1.0/4 in adults 18-49 and 3.8 million viewers overall. "Lights" tied for #1 among the major networks in men 18-34 and was #2 in men 18-49 and 25-54.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased by 42 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.7 from a 1.2) and 29 percent or more than 1.6 million persons in total viewers (to 7.1 million vs. 5.5 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline" ranked #1 in all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers - over ABC's "20/20" and CBS's "Miami Medical."

On Saturday, May 22 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Parenthood" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order" delivered a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall.

Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 44 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.3 from a 0.9).

On Sunday, May 23 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 among the major networks in the time period, ahead of CBS's "60 Minutes" and Fox's comedies. In total viewers, this was the top Sunday "Dateline" since April 18.

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Minute To Win It" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 42 percent in adults 18-49. "Minute" grew from half-hour to half-hour by 27 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.5) and by 26 percent in total viewers (to 6.3 million from 5.0 million). The 10 regular-slot telecasts of "Minute To Win It" have all grown substantially from half-hour to half-hour, increasing an average 25 percent in adults 18-49 and 22 percent in total viewers.

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the two-hour finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice" (3.4/9 in adults 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) delivered the highest 18-49 rating for any telecast of "The Apprentice" since March 1, 2009 (the premiere of last year's cycle of "Celebrity Apprentice") and the biggest overall viewership for any "Apprentice" since Thursday, March 27, 2008 (the finale of that cycle of "Celebrity Apprentice").

Despite competition from the series finale of ABC's "Lost," Sunday's "Celebrity Apprentice," in which Donald Trump named Bret Michaels this year's Celebrity Apprentice, was the top-scoring finale in both adults 18-49 and total viewers among the three "Apprentice" cycles to run on Sunday night. Sunday's "Celebrity Apprentice" finale was up 10 percent in adults 18-49 and 7 percent in total viewers versus last year's finale (a 3.1/9 in 18-49 and 8.8 million viewers overall from 8-11 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2009).

Versus the prior week's "Celebrity Apprentice," this week's finale jumped 48 percent in 18-49 (3.4 vs. 2.3) and 53 percent or more than 3.2 million persons in total viewers (9.5 million vs. 6.2 million). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Celebrity Apprentice" increased by 19 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.7/10 from a 3.1/8) and by 21 percent or more than 1.8 million persons in total viewers (10.4 million vs. 8.6 million), despite competition from the "Lost" finale. In its time period, "The Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key demos.