NBC WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 WITH ITS HIGHEST NON-OLYMPIC RATING IN TWO YEARS

NBC WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 WITH ITS HIGHEST NON-OLYMPIC RATING IN TWO YEARS

'GREASE' AND THE SEASON DEBUT OF 'THE APPRENTICE' DELIVER STRONG SUNDAY RATINGS, UP 50 PERCENT IN 18-49 VERSUS SAME SUNDAY LAST YEAR

NFL WILD CARD COWBOYS-SEAHAWKS MATCHUP GIVES NBC ITS HIGHEST-RATED SATURDAY IN ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND SCORES THE BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWER TOTAL EVER FOR A PRIMETIME WILD CARD GAME

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' AND 'LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT' PACE NBC TO A TUESDAY PRIMETIME WIN IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS, WITH BOTH SHOWS LOCKING UP THEIR HIGHEST VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON

'MY NAME IS EARL' AND 'THE OFFICE' WIN THEIR SLOTS IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS

NBC MOVES INTO A TIE FOR THE SEASON LEAD IN 18-49, UP 16 PERCENT VERSUS LAST YEAR TO RANK AS THE ONLY MAJOR NETWORK DELIVERING YEAR-TO-YEAR GAINS

BURBANK, Calif. � January 9, 2007 � NBC has won the week of January 1-7 in adults 18-49 with its highest weekly average in primetime's key demo in two years (excluding Olympics weeks), averaging a 4.2 rating, 11 share in 18-49 and 11.5 million viewers overall, according to "live plus same day" in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. This was NBC's highest weekly average in adults 18-49 since the week of January 10, 2005.

NBC has now ranked #1 in adults 18-49 in four out of the last six weeks (including ties) and has ranked #2 the other two weeks.

NBC also ranked #1 for the week among adults 25-54 and total viewers.

Versus the comparable week last year, NBC is up 27 percent in adults 18-49 (4.2 vs. 3.3). This marks NBC's largest year-over-year growth for any week this season. NBC has been up year-over-year in 14 of 16 weeks so far this season.

Through 16 weeks of the 2006-07 television season, the ratings race is exceptionally tight in primetime's key demo, with NBC, ABC and CBS in a three-way tie, each averaging a 3.6/10 in adults 18-49 season-to-date. At this point last season (through 16 weeks), NBC was averaging a 3.1 in adults 18-49, 0.8 of a rating point behind second-place CBS (3.9) and 0.9 behind leader ABC (4.0).

For the first 16 weeks of the 2006-07 television season, NBC is the only network showing year-to-year gains in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. NBC is up 16 percent versus the same period last year (3.6 rating versus 3.1). In that same comparison, ABC is down 10 percent, CBS is down 8 percent and Fox is down 3 percent. Season-to-date in total viewers only NBC and Fox are showing gains year-to-year. NBC is up 10 percent versus the opening 16 weeks of the last season (10.0 million vs. 9.1 million). Fox is up 3 percent by that measure, while CBS is down 5 percent and ABC is down 5 percent.

NBC is also the only network showing growth season-to-date among adults 18-34, up 20 percent versus the first 16 weeks of last season (3.0 vs. 2.5).

NBC's Saturday telecast of the NFL wild card playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks was the #1 primetime telecast of the week in both adults 18-49 (10.0/28) and in overall viewers (26.8 million) (excludes Fox's Sunday NFL primetime overrun).

Primetime averages for the week of January 1-7 in adults 18-49 were NBC (4.2/11), Fox (4.0/10), CBS (3.1/8), ABC (2.9/7), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.2/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (11.53 million), CBS (11.46 million), Fox (10.70 million), ABC (8.00 million), Univision (3.67 million), CW (3.01 million) and Telemundo (0.92 million). In total viewers, this is NBC's first in-season weekly win, excluding Olympics, since the week of May 3-9, 2004 ("Friends" finale). Counting all weeks (in and out of season), NBC was most recently #1 in total viewers the week of September 4-10, 2006

NBC highlights for the week of January 1-7:

* NBC's post-football Sunday lineup got off to a strong start, up 50 percent versus the same Sunday last year, paced by the debut of "Grease: You're the One That I Want" and the season premiere of "The Apprentice 6."

* On Sunday, the debut of the new talent-competition series "Grease: You're the One That I Want" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period with non-sports series programming in three years, up 87 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average last season in the time period.

* Also on Sunday, the premiere of "The Apprentice 6" topped its previous debut rating in adults 18-49 and earned NBC's best results in the time period with non-sports series programming in more than a year.

* NBC Sports' Saturday telecast of the NFL wild card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks generated NBC's top-rated Saturday night in 18-49 and total viewers in nearly four years (since the Salt Lake City Olympics in February 2002). The game was up 16 percent in adults 18-49 versus the comparable game last year. In overall total viewers and household rating, it's the top-scoring primetime wild card game ever for the NFL.

* NBC won Tuesday night in adults 18-49 and in total viewers, marking the network's second Tuesday win this season in the demo and first in overall viewers.

* "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" was television's top-rated show Tuesday night in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. With an average 15.2 million overall viewers, it attracted its highest viewership so far this season. Additionally, "'SVU' was the #4 entertainment program of the week in adults 18-49 and #3 in overall viewers."

* "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" won its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, locking up its highest 18-49 rating since October 3 and capturing its biggest overall viewership in more than a year.

* On Thursday, "My Name is Earl" matched its highest 18-49 rating and delivered its highest overall viewership for a regular-slot telecast so far this season. "Earl" won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" and "ER" won their respective time periods in adults 18-49 and other key measures. Also, "30 Rock" scored its second-highest 18-49 rating to date and its best retention of its 18-49 lead-in from an original "Scrubs."

* On Wednesday, "Friday Night Lights" delivered its highest "live plus same day" viewership since a special Monday telecast on October 30. Also on Wednesday, "Medium" was the #1 non-sports program in its time period (opposite the Sugar Bowl) and won the hour outright among women 18-49 and 25-54.

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 January 1-7:

On Monday, Jan. 1, NBC ran a special marathon of three encore episodes of "Heroes," which delivered a 1.9 rating, 4 share in adult 18-49 and 5.4 million viewers overall from 8-9 p.m. ET, a 2.0/5 in 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall from 9-10 p.m. and a 1.9/5 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall from 10-11 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.9/8 in adults 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the hour in adults 18-49, only 0.1 of a rating point out of first place. "Dateline" was up 38 percent in adults 18-49 versus the prior week (a 2.1/6) and by 2.0 million overall viewers (9.5 million vs. 7.5 million). It matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since September 19 and delivered NBC's highest overall viewership in the slot since that same date.

Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 13.4 million viewers overall) captured its highest 18-49 rating since October 3 and delivered its biggest overall audience in more than a year (since a two-hour telecast on November 6, 2005). "Criminal Intent" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.2/14 in adults 18-49, 15.2 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since November 14 and delivered its highest overall viewership of the season. "SVU," which was #1 in its time period by all key measures, was television's top-rated show Tuesday night in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

NBC won Tuesday night in adults 18-49 and in total viewers, marking NBC's second Tuesday win of the season in 18-49 and first in overall viewers.

On Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) delivered its highest "live plus same day" viewership since a special Monday telecast on October 30. At 9 p.m., "Deal or No Deal" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 11.3 million viewers overall) tied CBS' "Criminal Minds" encore for the non-sports lead in the hour in 18-49 opposite the Sugar Bowl. At 10 p.m., "Medium" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour in adults 18-49 and won the hour outright among women 18-49 and women 25-54.

On Thursday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (4.3/12 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating and delivered its highest overall viewership for a regular-slot telecast since April 6, 2006 (live plus same day). "Earl" won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.3/11 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures. "The Office" retained 100 percent of its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49 and matched its second-highest 18-49 rating of the season (live plus same day). "The Office" was up 26 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average in this time period last season (4.3 vs. 3.4, excluding sports).

Thursday at 9 p.m., "Scrubs" (3.6/9 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) was #2 in adults 18-49 (tied) and adults 18-34. "Scrubs" was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average this season in the time period prior to "Scrubs" (3.6 vs. 3.4). From 9:31-10:01 p.m., "30 Rock" (3.0/7 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) delivered its second-highest 18-49 rating to-date and its best retention rate so far of its 18-49 lead-in from a "Scrubs" original (83 percent).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m., "ER" (4.6/12 in 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall) was #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. .

On Friday, Jan. 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "1 vs 100" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 9.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34.

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 among adults 18-34.

On Saturday, Jan. 6, NBC Sports' coverage of the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks averaged a 10.0/28 in adults 18-49, 26.8 million viewers overall and a 16.4/27 household rating and share from 8:08-11:19 p.m. ET. This marks NBC's top-rated Saturday in adults 18-49 since February 9, 2002 (during the Salt Lake City Olympics) and biggest Saturday overall viewership since February 23, 2006. The Cowboys-Seahawks Wild Card game was up 16 percent in adults 18-49 and 19 percent in total viewers versus the comparable game last year (ABC's Jacksonville-New England game on January 7, 2006, which earned an 8.6/25 in adults 18-49, 22.6 million viewers overall and a 13.9/24 household rating/share). In overall total viewers and household rating, it's the highest-scoring primetime wild card game ever for the NFL. Also on Saturday, the NFC Wild Card game pre-kickoff averaged a 7.4/23 in 18-49, 20.3 million viewers overall and a 12.6/23 in households from 8-8:08 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, Jan. 7, from 7-8 p.m. ET, a special edition of "Deal or No Deal" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. Despite extraordinary competition from a primetime NFL overrun on Fox, "Deal" was up 56 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period last season (2.8 vs. 1.8).

Sunday from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, the debut of the new talent-competition series "Grease: You're the One That I Want" (4.3/10 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period with non-sports series programming in three years (since January 11, 2004). "Grease" was up 87 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season (4.3 vs. 2.3).

Sunday from 9:30-11 p.m. ET, the premiere of "The Apprentice 6" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) generated NBC's highest rating in this time period with non-sports series programming in more than a year (since November 6, 2005). "The Apprentice" was up 28 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season, and was up 5 percent in 18-49 versus the "Apprentice 5" premiere (4.1/10 vs. 3.9/9 on Monday, Feb. 27, 2006 from 9-10 p.m.).

"The Apprentice" grew steadily throughout its 90-minute telecast, surging to take the lead in adults 18-49 in the 10:30-11 p.m. ET half-hour versus first-run competition from ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and CBS' "Without a Trace." From its first half-hour to its third, "The Apprentice" built by 25 percent in 18-49 (to a 4.5/11 from a 3.6/8) and by 10 percent in overall viewers (to 9.5 million from 8.6 million).

Overall, NBC was up 50 percent in adults 18-49 versus the same Sunday night last year (3.9/9 vs. 2.6/6).