HOT NUMBERS FOR 'HEROES' AND '1 VS 100' SPARK ANOTHER WEEK OF YEAR-TO-YEAR GAINS FOR NBC

NBC IS UP 15 PERCENT IN 18-49 THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR WEEKS OF THE 2006-07 SEASON WHILE THE OTHER MAJOR NETWORKS ARE FLAT OR DOWN

'HEROES' IS THE #1 NEW SHOW OF THE WEEK AND SEASON IN ADULTS 18-49

'1 VS 100' PREMIERES TO THE HIGHEST NON-SPORTS FRIDAY RATING FOR ANY NETWORK IN 20 MONTHS

BURBANK, Calif. - October 17, 2006 - "Heroes" continued to soar as the #1 new series on television in adults 18-49 and other key adult demos, and, for the fourth consecutive week, NBC was the most-improved network in primetime versus the same week last year, averaging a 3.7 rating and 10 share in 18-49 and 10.3 million viewers overall for the week of October 9-15, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Versus the fourth week of last season, NBC this week was up 9 percent in adults 18-49 (3.7 vs. 3.4), up 8 percent in adults 25-54 (4.3 vs. 4.0), and up 8 percent in total viewers (10.330 million vs. 9.570 million). NBC was the only network to exhibit year-to-year growth this week in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. NBC was also the only network to exhibit ratings growth among adults 18-34 versus the comparable week last year, gaining 19 percent in that demo (3.1 vs. 2.6)

For the first four weeks of the 2006-07 television season, NBC is the only network showing year-to-year gains in adults 18-49, where the network is up 15 percent versus the same period last year (3.8 rating versus 3.3). In that same comparison, CBS is flat, ABC is down 2 percent and Fox is down 13 percent. Season-to-date in total viewers, three of the four major networks are up year-to-year, with NBC reporting the biggest increases. NBC is up versus the opening four weeks of the season last year by 10 percent (10.510 million vs. 9.560 million) while CBS is up 1 percent, ABC is up 5 percent and Fox is down 10 percent.

NBC's "Heroes" was the highest-rated freshman series on television this week in the key demographic of adults 18-49, with its third episode on Monday, Oct. 9 ranking #8 among all 91 programs last week in that key demo.

"Heroes" was also the top-ranked new series in adults 18-34, ranking #3 overall and averaging a 6.0/16. Among all programs on television last week, only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" outperformed "Heroes" among adults 18-34. "Heroes" was also the top freshman series in the adult 25-54 demographic, in which it averaged a 6.3/14 and ranked # 13.

Also contributing to NBC's weekly performance was Friday's debut of the new show "1 vs 100," which paced NBC to a nightlong win in 18-49 and total viewers, with dramatic gains on the night of 67 percent in 18-49 and 52 percent in overall viewers versus the same night last year.

The race in the key demographic of adults 18-49 remained tight this week, with only three-tenths of an 18-49 rating point separating ABC, CBS and NBC. Primetime averages for the week of October 9-15 in adults 18-49 were ABC and CBS (4.0/11), NBC (3.7/10), Fox (2.5/7), CW (1.5/4), CW (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (13.4 million), ABC (11.5 million), NBC (10.3 million), Fox (8.2 million), CW (3.5 million), Univision (3.1 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of October 9-15:

* On Friday, the premiere of "1 vs 100" delivered the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports Friday telecast on any network since January 2005. In overall total viewers, it's the most-watched Friday telecast on any network since last April.

* Paced by "1 vs 100," NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers, up 67 percent in 18-49 and 52 percent in overall viewers versus the same Friday night last year.

* On Monday, the third episode of "Heroes" was a decisive #1 for its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and numerous other key measures. "Heroes" was up 7 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week and up 38 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's 2005-06 non-sports season average for the time period

* NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49. Both "Deal or No Deal" and "Studio 60" were up versus the prior week, with "Deal" growing by 19 percent in 18-49 and "Studio 60" by 9 percent. "Deal" was a dominant #1 in its time slot and "Studio 60" a solid #2 in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

* On Thursday, "ER," which ranked #5 this week among all programs in 18-49, won its time period in adults18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and total viewers, versus rival dramas that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages. To win the hour in 18-49, "ER" built on NBC's rating from the previous hour by 97 percent, while CBS' "Shark" declined by 47 percent versus its "CSI" lead-in and ABC's "Six Degrees" declined by 62 percent versus its lead-in from "Grey's Anatomy."

* Also on Thursday, "My Name is Earl" was up 34 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's year-ago performance in the time period, and "The Office," which built on the "Earl" lead-in by 5 percent, was up compared with both NBC's year-ago performance in the time period (+14%) and versus its own performance last year on the comparable Tuesday night (+11%). Both "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" won the highly competitive time periods among adults and men 18-34 versus Major League Baseball playoffs, "Ugly Betty" and "Survivor."

* On Wednesday, the premiere of "30 Rock" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since May 17, up 32 percent versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year, and the debut of "Twenty Good Years" retained 86 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "30 Rock."

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period in 18-49 with a 47 percent advantage over second place.

* On Sunday, paced by the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos, NBC was up 56 percent in adults 18-49 versus the same Sunday night last season.

* Paced by NASCAR racing, NBC won Saturday night in adults 18-49, with its highest non-Olympic Saturday average since January 2005.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted.

Additional NBC highlights for the week of October 9-15:

On Monday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.4 rating, 12 share in 18-49, 15.4 million viewers overall) was a decisive #1 in the time period in 18-49, 25-54, total viewers and other key measures. "Deal" was up 19 percent versus the prior week in 18-49 and up 29 percent versus NBC's performance in this slot on the same night last year (4.4/12 vs. 3.4/9). From its first half-hour to its second, "Deal" increased by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.8/12 from a 4.0/11).

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (5.9/14 in 18-49, 13.3 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults, men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demographics.

"Heroes" was up 48 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's 2005-06 season average in the time period, excluding sports (5.9 vs. 4.0). "Heroes" grew versus the prior week (October 2), increasing by 7 percent in 18-49 and 3 percent in overall viewers. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour this week by 34 percent in 18-49 rating (5.9 vs. 4.4).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (3.7/9 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) also grew versus the prior week, increasing by 9 percent in 18-49 rating (3.7 vs. 3.4). "Studio 60"ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34, total viewers and most other key measures.

On Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" averaged a 2.2/6 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall. "Lights" increased by 14 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second half-hour (to a 2.4 from a 2.1).

On Tuesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (3.7/9 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and other key measures. "Criminal Intent" built dramatically from half-hour to half-hour, surging by 28 percent to a 4.1/10 from a 3.2/8 and jumping from third place in 18-49 from 8-8:30 p.m. to a decisive #1 from 9:30-10 p.m.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: SVU" (4.7/13 in adults 18-49, 13.9 million viewers overall) dominated the time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures. In adults 18-49, "SVU" generated a 47 percent margin of victory over second-place (4.7 vs. 3.2 for an encore "CSI" on CBS).

On Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. ET, the premiere of "30 Rock" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 8. 1 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since May 17, up 32 percent versus NBC's performance in this time period on the same night last year (2.9 vs. 2.2). "30 Rock" ranked #1 for the time period among men 18-34. At 8:30 p.m., the debut of "Twenty Good Years" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) retained 86 percent of the "30 Rock" 18-49 lead-in and was up 4 percent versus NBC's result in the slot on the same night last year (2.5 vs. 2.4).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) was up 15 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's performance in this time period on the same Wednesday last year (3.0 vs. a 2.6). At 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) improved by 30 percent in 18-49 (3.0 vs. 2.3) and by 31 percent in total viewers (8.4 million vs. 6.4 million) versus NBC's average in this time period so far this season.

On Thursday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.9/12 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in 18-49, behind only "Survivor," and was up 34 percent versus NBC's results in the time period on the same night last year (3.9/12 vs. 2.9/9). "Earl" ranked #1 for the time slot among adults and men 18-34.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.1/11 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) built by 5 percent in 18-49 on its "Earl" lead-in, marking the fourth time in a row and the fourth time ever that "Office" has matched or built on a lead-in from an original "Earl." "The Office" was up versus NBC's rating in the time period on the same night last year by 14 percent in 18-49 (4.1/11 vs. 3.6/10) and also up versus the "Office" performance on the comparable Tuesday night last year by 11 percent in 18-49 (4.1/11 vs. a 3.7/9 at 9:30 on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005). From 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" averaged a 3.1/7 in 18-49 and 10.1 million viewers overall.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (6.1/16 in 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) dominated its time period, ranking #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and total viewers versus rival dramas that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages. In 18-49, "ER" built on NBC's rating from the previous hour by 97 percent, while CBS' "Shark" declined by 47 percent versus its "CSI" lead-in (to a 4.0 from a 7.5) and ABC's "Six Degrees" declined by 62 percent versus its lead-in from "Grey's Anatomy" (to a 3.6 from a 9.4). In overall total viewers, "ER" grew by 41 percent versus its lead-in (or by more than 4.2 million viewers), while "Shark" declined by 35 percent (or more than 7.7 million viewers) and "Six Degrees" fell by 62 percent (or more than 14.1 million viewers) versus their respective lead-ins.

Paced by the debut of "1 vs. 100" NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the same Friday night last year, NBC was up 67 percent in adults 18-49 (3.5/11 vs. 2.1/7) and by 52 percent in overall total viewers (11.240 million vs. 7.414 million).

On Friday, Oct. 13 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (3.2/11 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall) won the hour in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. In 18-49, "Deal" was up 88 percent versus NBC's performance in the time period on the same night last year (3.2/11 vs. 1.7/6).

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, the premiere of "1 vs. 100" (4.2/13 in 18-49, 12.8 million viewers overall) scored the highest 18-49 rating for any non-sports Friday telecast on any networks since January 28, 2005 (CBS' "Numb3rs") and highest overall viewer total for any Friday telecast on any network since April 7, 2006 ("Numb3rs"). "1 vs 100" delivered the highest 18-49 rating for any Friday 9 p.m. ET series premiere in three years (since ABC's "Hope & Faith" on September 26, 2003) and the highest for NBC in 13 years (since "NBC's Friday Mystery Movie" on October 22, 1993). It was NBC's highest non-Olympic 18-49 rating in the time period since December 27, 2002 ("Dateline NBC") and, in total viewers, NBC's biggest audience in the time period, excluding Olympics, since March 19, 2004 ("Dateline NBC"). "1 vs 100," which built on its lead-in by 31 percent in 18-49, was up 91 percent versus NBC's 18-49 rating in the hour on this night last year (4.2/13 vs. 2.2/7)

"1 vs 100" dominated its time period, winning in all key measures. Its margin of victory over second place was 56 percent in 18-49 (4.2/13 vs. 2.7/8 for CBS' "Close to Home") and by more than 1.8 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "1 vs 100" grew by 0.3 of a rating point (to a 4.4/13 from a 4.1/13).

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the primetime portion of NBC Sports' coverage of NASCAR racing from Charlotte, NC averaged a 2.7/9 in 18-49 and 8.0 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, pacing NBC to a Saturday night win in adults 18-49. This was NBC's top-rated non-Olympic Saturday since January 22, 2005. The 2.7 average primetime rating is up 42 percent versus NBC's season-to-date average for Saturday night. For its full duration, the NASCAR coverage averaged a 2.6/9 in 18-49 and 7.8 million viewers overall from 7:10-11:15 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, Oct. 15, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Oakland Raiders versus the Denver Broncos averaged a 4.7/12 in adults 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall and a 7.9/12 household rating and share from 8:21-11 p.m. ET.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall and a 3.5/6 in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:13 p.m. delivered a 3.2/8 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall and a 5.0/8 in households. From 8:13-8:21 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 3.4/9 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall and a 5.6/9 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.

Versus the same Sunday last season (October 16, 2005), NBC was up 56 percent in adults 18-49 (4.2 vs. 2.7), up 18 percent in total viewers (11.0 million vs. 9.3 million) and up 11 percent in households (7.0/11 vs. 6.3/10).