'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' LEADS NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF MAY 14-20

MONDAY AND TUESDAY EDITIONS OF 'TALENT' DELIVER TOP-10 RANKINGS IN 18-49 DURING A WEEK OF INTENSE SWEEP-MONTH COMPETITION THAT INCLUDES MANY SEASON FINALES

ON MONDAY, THE DEBUT OF 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' IMPROVES ON NBC'S 18-49 SEASON AVERAGE IN THE SLOT BY 19 PERCENT AND BEATS LAST SUMMER'S 'AGT' FINALE BY 3 PERCENT

MONDAY'S 'SMASH' BEATS NBC'S PRE-'SMASH' 18-49 AVERAGE IN THE TIME PERIOD BY 80 PERCENT

THE TUESDAY EDITION OF 'TALENT' DEBUTS WITH SEASON HIGHS FOR NBC IN THE TIME PERIOD AND A 48 PERCENT INCREASE ON NBC'S 18-49 SEASON AVERAGE IN THE SLOT

TUESDAY'S 'FASHION STAR' SEWS UP A FIVE-WEEK HIGH IN 18-49 AND A SERIES HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS WITH ITS SEASON-ONE FINALE

ON WEDNESDAY, THE 8:30 'OFF THEIR ROCKERS' CAPTURES A 15-WEEK TIME-PERIOD HIGH IN 18-49

ON FRIDAY, 'GRIMM' EQUALS ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING SINCE JAN. 20 AND TIES FOR THE #1 RATING OF THE NIGHT ON ABC, CBS, NBC OR FOX

FRIDAY'S 'WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?' MATCHES ITS TOP 18-49 RATING IN 11 WEEKS

SUNDAY'S 'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' EARNS A FIVE-WEEK HIGH IN 18-49 AND MATCHES AN 11-WEEK HIGH

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - May 22, 2012 - The Monday and Tuesday premieres of "America's Got Talent" have both delivered top-10 rankings in adults 18-49 for the primetime week of May 14-20, leading NBC's lineup to an average 1.7 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall for the week, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Against of week of intense sweep-month competition that included many season finales, Monday's seventh season premiere of "America's Got Talent" tied for #6 for the week in adults 18-49 with a 3.7 rating, and the Tuesday edition tied for #10. In the valuable adult 18-34 demo, Monday's "Talent" tied for #5, Tuesday's "Talent" was #11, Thursday's 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET editions of "Community" tied for #23 and the 8 p.m. "Community" tied "Law & Order: SVU" and "Smash" for #28.

Primetime averages for the week of May 14-20 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.2/7), CBS (2.1/6), ABC (2.0/6), NBC (1.7/5) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (10.1 million), ABC (7.1 million), Fox (7.0 million), NBC (5.6 million) and CW (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of May 14-20

* On Monday, the season debut of "America's Got Talent" improved the time period versus NBC's season average in adults 18-49 by 19 percent. Despite facing full original May sweep competition, the "Talent" premiere was also up 3 percent versus the show's 3.6 rating for its finale last summer.

* Also on Monday, "Smash" was up versus NBC's time-period average for the season prior to "Smash" by 80 percent in 18-49 and 54 percent in total viewers.

* The season debut of the Tuesday edition of "America's Got Talent" won its highly competitive slot versus full sweep-month competition in adults 18-49. "Talent" delivered a season high for NBC in the time period with a 48 percent increase on NBC's season average in the two-hour slot.

* Also on Tuesday, "Fashion Star" strutted off with a five-week high in 18-49 rating and a series high in total viewers with its season-finale telecast.

* On Wednesday, the 8:30 p.m. ET edition of "Off Their Rockers" scored a 15-week high in the time period for NBC in adults 18-49 and an 18-week high in total viewers.

* Also on Wednesday, "Law & Order: SVU" grew from half-hour to half-hour in all key ratings categories, including a gain of 19 percent in 18-49.

* On Thursday, three telecasts of "Community" and one of "30 Rock" all delivered #2 rankings in their slots among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34, men 18-34 or women 18-34.

* On Friday, "Who Do You Think You Are?" matched its highest 18-49 rating in 11 weeks and delivered its biggest overall audience in eight weeks.

* Also on Friday, the season finale of "Grimm" tied for the #1 18-49 rating of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox and matched the show's highest rating since January 20. "Grimm" was up week to week by 33 percent in 18-49.

* On Saturday, an encore "America's Got Talent" achieved a 14-week high for NBC in the time period in 18-49. Then "Law & Order: SVU" tied for the #1 primetime rating of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox by capturing its top results for a Saturday rebroadcast since November.

* On Sunday, the season finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice" fired off the show's highest 18-49 rating in five weeks and matched an 11-week high. In total viewers, it was the show's biggest overall audience since its February 13 season premiere. "Apprentice" grew week to week by 22 percent in 18-49 rating.

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 14-20:

On Monday, May 14 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the seventh season premiere of "America's Got Talent" (3.7 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in the time period versus ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright versus those networks in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49 against full sweep-month competition that included CBS's hour-long season finale of "How I Met Your Mother," as well as originals of "Two and a Half Men" and "Mike & Molly," ABC's 91-minute "Dancing With the Stars" and season premiere of "The Bachelorette" and Fox's season finale of "Bones" and penultimate episode of "House." "Talent" tied CBS's 8-10 p.m. comedy block in 18-49 and topped ABC's combination of "Dancing With the Stars" and first half-hour of "Bachelorette" by a 42 percent advantage (3.7 vs. 2.6). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Talent" grew by 15 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8 from a 3.3) and by 19 percent or 1.8 million persons in total viewers (11.4 million vs. 9.6 million).

Versus NBC's season average in the slot, "Talent" was up 19 percent in 18-49 (3.7 vs. 3.1) and up 22 percent or 1.9 million persons in total viewers (10.5 million vs. 8.6 million). "America's Got Talent" finished within 3 percent of the prior week's final "Voice" competition episode (3.8 in 18-49) in this time period. The 3.7 rating for "America's Got Talent" was also up by 3 percent versus last year's 3.6 finale rating, delivered on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011 from 8-10 p.m. ET.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Smash" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) matched its rating of the prior two weeks and delivered a three-week high in total viewers. "Smash" has now delivered NBC's 15 highest in-season 18-49 ratings in the time period since January 31, 2011. This week's "Smash" beat NBC's time-period average for the season prior to "Smash" by 80 percent in 18-49 rating (with a 1.8 vs. a 1.0) and by 54 percent in total viewers (5.956 million vs. 3.864 million).

NBC was #2 for the night in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34

On Tuesday, May 15, from 8-10 p.m. ET, the Tuesday season premiere of "America's Got Talent" (3.4/10 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) has scored season highs for NBC in the time period in 18-49 and total viewers and is up versus NBC's season averages in the slot by 48 percent in 18-49 (with a 3.4 rating vs. a 2.3) and up 63 percent in total viewers (10.583 million vs. 6.506 million). "Talent" ranked #1 in the two-hour time period in adults 18-49 versus full original sweep-month competition that included season finales of CBS's dramas, Fox's two-hour "Glee" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" Results Show. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "America's Got Talent" grew by 24 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.7 from a 3.0).

In total viewers, the 10.6 million for the "Talent" debut is NBC's biggest in-season audience in the slot, excluding sports, since January 5, 2010. The 3.4 rating is up 10 percent versus the average of the last eight Tuesday telecasts for "Talent" last summer (3.1), despite this week's original sweep-month competition.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, the "Fashion Star" finale (1.6/4 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) sewed up the show's highest 18-49 rating in five weeks (since April 10).and set a series record in total viewers. Versus its 8-9 p.m. ET telecast of the prior week, "Fashion Star" was up 23 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.3) and up 11 percent in total viewers (4.810 million vs. 4.347 million) and versus its prior telecast in the 10 p.m. hour, "Fashion Star" is up 7 percent in 18-59 (1.6 vs. 1.5) and up 14 percent in total viewers (4.810 million vs. 4.226 million). In the time period, "Fashion Star" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demos and was #1 in women 18-34.

On Wednesday, May 16 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" captured a 1.4/5 in 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall against competition that included Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "The Middle" and CBS's encore "Mike & Molly." In its seven weeks in this time period, "Off Their Rockers" has delivered NBC's seven biggest overall audiences in the Wednesday 8-8:30 half-hour since January 11.

Wednesday at 8:30 ET, a second telecast of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in 15 weeks (since February 1) and biggest overall viewership in the half-hour in 18 weeks (since January 11). This week's 8:30 telecast is up versus the prior week by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.4) and 10 percent in total viewers (5.518 million vs. 4.998 million) and up versus this week's lead-in by 14 percent in 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.4) and 7 percent in total viewers (5.518 million vs. 5.179 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of " Law & Order: Special Victims Unit " averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" grew by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.8 from a 0.7) and 10 percent in total viewers (3.0 million vs. 2.7 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" delivered a 1.7/5 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall. "SVU" finished within 0.1 of a point of its rating for the prior week despite competition in the time period this week from the second half of CBS's two-hour "Criminal Minds" season finale. This week's "SVU" grew from its first half-hour to its second in all key ratings categories, including gains of 19 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 rating from a 1.6), 15 percent in adults 25-54 (2.3 vs. 2.0) and 15 percent in total viewers (5.9 million vs. 5.2 million). "SVU" built on its lead-in by 113 percent in 18-49 rating and 94 percent in total viewers.

On Thursday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET, "Community" (1.3/5 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall) tied for #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in the slot in adults 18-34 and was #2 outright in men 18-34 against such competition as Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Missing" and CBS's "Big Bang Theory" encore.

Thursday at 8:30 ET, "30 Rock" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 2.8 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 8 percent. In the time period, "30 Rock" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 against such competition as Fox's "American Idol," CBS's "Rules of Engagement" and ABC's "Missing."

Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, a second telecast of "Community" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall) retained 93 percent of its 18-49 lead-in and grew versus lead-in by 14 percent in 18-34 (to a 1.6 rating from a 1.4). In the time period, "Community" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34 and tied for #2 in men 18-34 and women 18-34 against such competition as ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" season finale, CBS's "Person of Interest" season finale and Fox's "Touch."

Thursday at 9:30 ET, a third episode of "Community" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in. Against the concluding half-hours of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" season finale, CBS's "Person of Interest" season finale and Fox's "Touch," "Community" ranked #2 in the slot among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-34 and women 18-34 and tied for #2 in men 18-34.

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, "Awake" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.1 million viewers overall. Note that "Awake" is one of the most time-shifted shows on television, with the "live plus same day" rating growing by 62 percent when Nielsen issues "live plus seven day" ratings.

Friday, May 18 at 8 p.m. ET, "Who Do You Think You Are?" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) equaled its highest 18-49 rating in 11 weeks (since March 2) and delivered its biggest overall audience in eight weeks (since March 23) with an episode featuring chef Paula Deen. Week to week, "Who Do You Think You Are?" grew by 11 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.0 from a 0.9) and 13 percent in total viewers (5.379 million vs. 4.778 million). In the time period, "Who Do You Think You Are?" ranked #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in 18-49 and total viewers.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, the season finale of "Grimm" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) tied for the #1 rating of the night on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in adults 18-49 and was #1 outright among those networks in adults 25-54. "Grimm" matched its highest 18-49 rating since January 20 and attracted its biggest overall audience since March 2. Week to week, "Grimm" was up 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.6 from a 1.2) and 15 percent in total viewers (5.102 million vs. 4.454 million). In the time period, "Grimm" is #1 or tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in all key demographics - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period among ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 in adults 25-54.

For the night, NBC was #2 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and tied for #1 among those networks in women 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54.

On Saturday, May 19 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" (0.9/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) generated NBC's top 18-49 rating in the time period in 14 weeks (since February 11) and biggest overall audience in 10 weeks (since March 10). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Talent" grew in 18-49 rating by 83 percent (to a 1.1 from a 0.6) and in total viewers by 53 percent or more than 1.5 million persons (to 4.5 million from 2.9 million). The "America's Got Talent" encore finished #1 in the time period among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million viewers overall) locked up the show's highest 18-49 rating for a Saturday rebroadcast since November 19 and its biggest Saturday viewership since November 5. "SVU" tied for the #1 primetime rating of the night on ABC, CBS and NBC in adults 18-49.

For the night, NBC tied for #1 among ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in 18-49 and is #1 outright in adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demos. NBC's 0.9 average for the night in 18-49 is its highest for a Saturday since February 11 and its 4.0 million viewer average is the network's best for a Saturday since January 21.

On Sunday, May 20 from 7-9 p.m. ET, from 7-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) earned NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the slot in four weeks (since April 22). From its first half-hour to its fourth, the "Talent" rebroadcast grew by 114 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5 from a 0.7) and by 80 percent or 2.5 million persons in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 3.2 million). From 8-9 p.m., the second hour of the "Talent" encore earned a 1.3 in 18-49, NBC's top rating in the Sunday 8 p.m. hour in seven weeks (since April 1).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the season finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) generated the show's highest 18-49 rating in five weeks (since April 15) and equaled the show's highest in 11 weeks (since March 4). In total viewers, "Celebrity Apprentice" delivered its biggest overall audience since the show's season premiere on February 13. Week to week, "Celebrity Apprentice" was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.2 from a 1.8) and up 25 percent or nearly 1.4 million persons in total viewers (6.8 million vs. 5.5 million). This week's "Apprentice" built on NBC's results in the prior hour from 8-9 p.m. by 69 percent in 18-49 rating.

For its first hour from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Celebrity Apprentice" generated its highest 18-49 rating in the hour (a 2.1) since March 4. For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., "The Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #1 among ABC, CBS and NBC in adult 25-54, men 25-54 and men 18-49 (tie).