NBC WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49

'HEROES,' THE #1 NEW SHOW OF THE WEEK IN 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS, TEAMS WITH 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' TO PACE NBC'S WEEKLY WIN

NBC MATCHES ITS TOP-RATED NON-OLYMPIC WEEK SINCE JAN. 10-16, 2005

NBC IS UP 15 PERCENT IN 18-49 THROUGH THE FIRST SEVEN WEEKS OF THE 2006-07 SEASON, THE MOST GROWTH OF ANY NETWORK IN THE KEY DEMO

BURBANK, Calif. � November 7, 2006 � With potent ratings from Monday's "Heroes" and "NBC Sunday Night Football" bookending the week, NBC was #1 in the key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 4.0 rating and 11 share in 18-49 and 10.9 million viewers overall for the week of October 30-November 5, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. Excluding Olympics, this marks NBC's first weekly win in adults 18-49 during the regular season since the week of January 10-16, 2005. NBC also matched its highest weeklong rating in adults 18-49, excluding Olympics, since that same week of January 10-16, 2005.

"Heroes" was the #1 new series of the week in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. In adults 18-49, "Heroes" ranked #6 out of all 102 telecasts last week. Among all entertainment programs, "Heroes" ranked behind only "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI" and "Lost" in the key 18-49 demographic. Among adults 18-34, only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" topped "Heroes," among non-sports programs.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Indianapolis Colts versus the New England Patriots was the #3 program of the week in adults 18-49, and also ranked #3 among adults 18-34 and 25-54. In total viewers, "Sunday Night Football" ranked #2 for the week.

Among men 18-49, "NBC Sunday Night Football" was the #1 program of the week, delivering a 12.0 rating, making it NBC's highest-rated telecast in that demographic since the "Friends" finale on May 6, 2004 (includes Olympics).

"Heroes" also was a remarkable performer among men 18-49, emerging as the week's highest-rated entertainment program in that demo. Only "NBC Sunday Night Football" and its pre-game telecasts topped "Heroes" among men 18-49.

Versus the comparable seventh week of last season, NBC this week was up 25 percent in adults 18-49 (4.0 vs. 3.2), up 15 percent in adults 25-54 (4.6 vs. 4.0), up 32 percent in 18-34 (3.3 vs. 2.5) and up 15 percent in total viewers (10.930 million vs. 9.572 million). NBC was the only network to exhibit year-to-year growth this week in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. In addition to ranking #1 among adults 18-49 last week, NBC also won among adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics.

For the first seven weeks of the 2006-07 television season, only NBC and ABC are showing year-to-year gains in adults 18-49, with NBC posting by far the largest increases. NBC is up 15 percent versus the same period last year (3.8 rating versus 3.3). In that same comparison, ABC is up 2 percent, CBS is down 2 percent and Fox is down 9 percent. Season-to-date in total viewers, three of the four major networks are showing gains year-to-year, with NBC reporting the biggest increases. NBC is up 10 percent versus the opening six weeks of the last season (10.320 million vs. 9.400 million) while CBS is essentially flat (a gain of less than 1 percent or 30,000 viewers), ABC is up 8 percent and Fox is down 4 percent.

Primetime averages for the week of October 30-November 5 in adults 18-49 were NBC (4.0/11), ABC (3.9/11), CBS (3.8/10), Fox (2.6/7), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.3/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (12.8 million), ABC (11.4 million), NBC (10.9 million), Fox (6.4 million), Univision (3.4 million), CW (3.3 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of October 30-November 5:

* NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers, paced by the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Indianapolis Colts versus the New England Patriots, which is NBC's highest-rated telecast of primetime's 2006-07 regular season.

* On Monday, "Heroes" set new series records in 18-49 and total viewers, scoring the highest 18-49 rating for any first-year series on any network this season. "Heroes," which was the #1 network television show Monday in 18-49, dominated its time period in all key demographics, winning among adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. In the elusive demographic of men 18-34, "Heroes" beat ABC, CBS, Fox and CW combined.

* Monday's special telecast of "Friday Night Lights" hit a series high in adults 18-49 and total viewers. "Lights" ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 and among men 18-34 and 18-49.

* Also on Monday, "Deal or No Deal" dominated its time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. It was Monday night's #1 telecast in total viewers. NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, marking the network's sixth Monday win in seven weeks this season. NBC also won Monday in total viewers, the network's second Monday victory of the season by that measure.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period, winning by all key ratings measures including adults 18-49 and total viewers. "SVU" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-34.

* On Thursday, "Deal or No Deal" hit season-high numbers by all key measures for a Thursday edition and "ER" won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. "ER" was the #9-ranked program of the week in adults 18-49.

* Also on Thursday, "My Name is Earl" matched its season-high rating in 18-49 and "The Office" scored its highest 18-49 rating since its season premiere. "Earl" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, outperforming such competition as ABC's "Ugly Betty" and Fox's "Til Death." Both "Earl" and "The Office" ranked #1 in their slots among adults and men 18-34.

* On Friday, "1 vs 100" was up 10 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week and up 39 percent versus NBC's performance in the time period on the same night last year. "1 vs 100" ranked #2 in 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34. Also on Friday, "Law & Order" was up 19 percent in 18-49 and 21 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

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 October 30-November 5:

On Monday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.8 rating, 13 share in adults 18-49, 16.9 million viewers overall) dominated its time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. In 18-49, "Deal" won with a 33 percent advantage over second place (4.8/11 vs. a 3.6/9 for Fox's "Prison Break") and with an 89 percent margin in total viewers (16.9 million vs. 8.9 million for "Prison Break"). "Deal" was up 100 percent versus NBC's performance in this time period on Halloween night last year (4.8/13 vs. 2.4/7)

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.5/15 in 18-49, 14.9 million viewers overall) set new series records in 18-49 and total viewers, scoring the highest 18-49 rating for any first-year series on any network this season.

"Heroes," which was the night's #1 telecast in 18-49, won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. In adults 18-49, its advantage over second place was 2.8 rating points, or 76 percent (6.5/15 vs. a 3.7/9 from 9-10 p.m. for CBS' encore comedies). "Heroes" was up 63 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's 2005-06 season average in the time period, excluding sports (6.5 vs. 4.0).

In the elusive demographic of men 18-34, "Heroes" beat the four-network competition combined, averaging a 7.0 rating in that demo versus an aggregate 5.7 for ABC, CBS, Fox and CW.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, a special telecast of "Friday Night Lights" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) scored a series high in adults 18-49 and in total viewers. "Friday Night Lights" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 among adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, marking the network's sixth Monday win in seven weeks this season. NBC also won Monday in total viewers, the network's second Monday win by that measure.

On Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) built by 63 percent in adults 18-49 on its lead-in from the previous hour -- a 1.6/5 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall for an encore telecast from 8-9 p.m. of Monday's original "Friday Night Lights."

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.7/13 in adults 18-49, 13.4 million viewers overall) dominated its time period, winning by all key ratings measures, including 18-49 and total viewers. "SVU" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-34 (3.6 vs. 3.5 for ABC-CBS). "SVU" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 81 percent in adults 18-49.

On Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall. At 8:30 p.m., "Twenty Good Years" averaged a 1.5/4 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall) more than doubled its 18-49 lead-in to finish within a tenth of a rating point of its season high in adults 18-49. At 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the hour by most key measures, including adults 18-49 and total viewers.

On Thursday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (4.1/11 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall), with guest star Roseanne Barr, matched its season-high rating in 18-49. "Earl" ranked #2 in the time slot in adults 18-49 (trailing only "Survivor") and was #1 among adults and men 18-34.

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.2/10 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating since its season premiere on September 21. "The Office" ranked #1 for the time period among adults and men 18-34.

Thursday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.7/11 in 18-49, 13.2 million viewers overall) hit season highs by all measures for a Thursday telecast. "Deal" was up 42 percent in 18-49 and by 2.9 million overall viewers versus its Thursday season average.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (5.7/15 in 18-49, 13.8 million viewers overall) won the hour by all key ratings measures, including adults 18-49 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 21 percent while CBS' "Shark" declined by 47 percent versus its "CSI" lead-in (to a 3.7 from a 7.0) and ABC's "Six Degrees" declined by 66 percent versus its lead-in from "Grey's Anatomy" (to a 3.1 from a 9.0).

On Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET, "1 vs 100" (3.2/10 in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall) was up 10 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week and up 39 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's rating in this time period on the same night last year (3.2 vs. 2.3). "1 vs. 100" was #2 for the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) was up 17 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year (2.7 vs. 2.3). "Vegas" ranked #2 (tied) for the time slot in 18-49 and total viewers and #1 (tied) among adults 18-34.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.1/9 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall), with guest star Chevy Chase, was up 19 percent in 18-49 and 21 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. "L&O" ranked #2 for the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34.

On Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, Nov. 4, "Dateline NBC" delivered a 1.6/5 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: SVU" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 46 percent in 18-49.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Indianapolis Colts versus the New England Patriots averaged an 8.6/21 in adults 18-49, 21.9 million viewers overall and a 13.9/22 household rating and share from 8:21-11:31 p.m. ET. The Colts-Patriots match-up generated NBC's highest 18-49 rating for any telecast thus far in the 2006-07 primetime regular season. Only three primetime regular-season NFL games in the past five years have rated higher than Sunday's Colts-Patriots match-up in household rating (14.8 for Steelers-Colts on ABC November 28, 2005, 14.3 for Indianapolis-New York Giants on NBC September 10, 2006 and 14.3 for Indianapolis-New England on ABC November 7, 2005). Last Sunday's total viewer average of 21.9 million persons is 33 percent higher than the comparable "ABC Monday Night Football" game in 2005 (16.5 million for Ravens-Steelers on October 31) and 1 percent higher than the identical match-up on ABC in 2005 (21.8 million for Colts-Patriots on November 7).

NBC was #1 on Sunday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Versus the comparable night on NBC in 2005, NBC's Sunday primetime this week was up 124 percent in 18-49 (7.6/19 vs. 3.4/8) and up 69 percent in total viewers (19.539 million vs. 11.559 million).

This was NBC's highest-rated non-Olympic Sunday since January 25, 2004. No NBC regular-schedule Sunday night has scored higher than last Sunday's 7.6 in 18-49 and 19.5 million in total viewers since February 28, 1999.

Through nine games, "NBC Sunday Night Football" is averaging 17.8 million viewers, up 11 percent versus ABC's "Monday Night Football" average through nine games in 2005 (16.0 million)

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:35-8 p.m. ET averaged a 3.3/9 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall and a 5.3/9 in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 8-8:13 p.m. delivered a 4.7/13 in 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall and a 7.6/12 in households. From 8:13-8:20 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 5.9/15 in 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall and a 9.3/14 in households.