NBC RATINGS RESULTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 5-11

NBC RATINGS RESULTS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 5-11

THE #1 NEW SCRIPTED SERIES OF THE SEASON, 'HEROES,' IS TELEVISION'S TOP PROGRAM MONDAY IN 18-49

'DEAL OR NO DEAL' SETS A NEW RECORD IN TOTAL VIEWERS, AS NBC WINS MONDAY IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

THE SEASON FINALE OF 'LAS VEGAS' AND '1 VS 100' WIN THEIR SLOTS IN 18-49, PACING NBC'S FRIDAY WIN

IN REGULAR-PROGRAM AVERAGES, NBC IS UP 6 PERCENT THIS SEASON VERSUS LAST, THE ONLY MAJOR NETWORK SHOWING GROWTH IN REGULAR-PROGRAM AVERAGES

BURBANK, Calif. � March 13, 2007 � NBC averaged a 2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.9 million viewers overall for the week of March 5-11, according to "live plus same day" in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

This week, "Heroes" was the top-ranked freshman scripted series in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, as well as in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and total viewers. Overall, "Heroes" ranked #6 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and adults 18-34 out of a total 100 ranked network programs this week. In total viewers, Monday's "Deal or No Deal" was the #6-ranked program of the week and "Heroes" ranked #10. Season-to-date, "Heroes" is the #1 new scripted series of the 2006-07 television season among adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and total viewers.

Averages for the week of March 5-11 in adults 18-49 were Fox (5.6/15), CBS (2.9/8), NBC (2.6/7), ABC (2.4/7), Univision (1.6/4), CW (1.2/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (14.1 million), CBS (10.8 million), NBC (7.9 million), ABC (6.8 million), Univision (3.7 million), CW (3.0 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

In regular program averages through the first 25 weeks of the 2006-07 season, NBC's primetime lineup is running within a 0.5 of a point of first place in adults 18-49, versus a deficit a year ago of 0.8. NBC is up 6 percent versus last year in regular-program adult 18-49 averages (3.5 vs. 3.3), the only network showing growth in regular program averages.

NBC highlights for the week of March 5-11:

* On Monday, "Heroes" hit its highest 18-49 rating since its mid-season return on January 22 and its highest total viewership since December 4. "Heroes" was the highest-rated show on television Monday night in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49 and won its tough time period decisively in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Deal or No Deal" set a new series record in total viewers (18.4 million), while hitting its highest 18-49 rating since November 13. "Deal" won its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and all key measures, with a 38 percent margin over its nearest competitor in 18-49 and an advantage of more than 8.6 million total viewers.

* NBC won Monday night in both 18-49 and total viewers, marking the network's 17th Monday win of the season in primetime's key demographic and 10th win in total viewers.

* On Friday, the fourth season finale of "Las Vegas" won its time period in adults 18-49, rolling its highest demo rating in four weeks and its biggest overall viewership in five weeks.

* Also on Friday, "1 vs 100" won its hour in 18-49 and total viewers. NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49, marking the eighth time this season the network has finished #1 in the demo on Friday night.

* On Tuesday, an encore "Law & Order: SVU" won its time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. NBC ranked #2 in primetime on Tuesday among adults 18-49, trailing only the Fox team of "American Idol" and "House." .

* On Sunday, "Deal or No Deal" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its time period in nine weeks, and delivered NBC's biggest non-sports viewership in the 9 p.m. hour since the Emmy Awards last August. "The Apprentice" earned its best numbers since January 28.

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 March 5-11:

On Monday, March 5, at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (5.4 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 18.4 million viewers overall) dominated its time period with its highest 18-49 rating since November 13 and a series record in overall total viewers (live plus same day). "Deal" scored a 38 percent margin of victory over its nearest competitor in 18-49 (5.4 vs. a 3.9 for Fox's "Prison Break"). In total viewers, "Deal" prevailed by more than 8.6 million viewers (18.4 million vs. 9.7 million for "Prison Break"). "Deal" was up by 46 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season (5.4 vs. 3.7).

Monday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.6/15 in 18-49, 14.9 million viewers overall) was a dominant #1 in this tough time period in adults 18-49, with a 35 percent winning margin over Fox's second-place "24" (6.6 vs. 4.9). Among adults 18-34, the "Heroes" margin over second-place "24" widens to 53 percent (6.6 for "Heroes" vs. a 4.3 for "24"). "Heroes" also ranked #1 among adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

This was the highest-rated "Heroes" since January 22 in adults 18-49 and in total viewers the top "Heroes" since December 4. "Heroes" was the #1 telecast on Monday night in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, and was up 65 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season (6.5 vs. 4.0).

Monday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "The Black Donnellys" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 for the time period in adults 18-49 and total viewers and #1 in adults and men 18-34.

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers, marking the network's 17th Monday win this season in primetime's key demo and 10th win in overall total viewers.

On Tuesday, March 6 at 8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall) attracted its highest Tuesday overall viewership since January 16. "Dateline" was up 47 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year (2.2 vs. 1.5). At 9 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged a 2.0/5 in 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday in 18-49, trailing only the Fox combo of "American Idol" and "House."

On Wednesday, March 7 at 8 p.m. ET, "Dateline" averaged a 1.9/5 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall versus "American Idol." At 9 p.m., "Crossing Jordan" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) debuted in its new night and time period, building by 26 percent in 18-49 versus its lead-in. At 10 p.m., "Medium" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) summoned its highest 18-49 and total viewer results in five weeks (since January 31). With "Crossing Jordan" as its lead-in, "Medium" was up 20 percent in 18-49 and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

On Thursday, March 8 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore "My Name is Earl" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) was up 21 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's rating in this slot on the same night last year, also opposite special competition from "American Idol." At 8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered a 2.2/6 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall. "The Office" retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Earl."

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "Scrubs" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 27 percent. "Scrubs" ranked #2 among adults 18-34. From 9:31-10:01 p.m., "30 Rock" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) retained a best yet 89 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Scrubs."

Thursday from 10:01-10:31 p.m. ET, a special rebroadcast of "The Office" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults and men 18-34, ahead of repeat telecasts of slot regulars "Shark" and "Men in Trees." From 10:31-11 p.m., a special encore telecast of "30 Rock" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among adults 18-34 (tied) and men 18-34.

On Friday, March 9 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "1 vs 100" (2.3/8 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) was #1 in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

At 9 p.m. ET, the fourth season finale of "Las Vegas" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 9.2 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49. "Las Vegas" rolled its highest 18-49 rating in four week and its biggest overall viewership in five weeks. At 10 p.m., an encore "Law & Order" averaged a 2.1/7 in 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall.

NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49, marking the eighth time this season that NBC has finished #1 on Friday night.

On Saturday, March 10 from 8-11p.m. ET, NBC's rebroadcast of the 2003 feature film "The Italian Job" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 for the night in adults 18-49. The movie, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Charize Theron, Mos Def and Edward Norton, built steadily throughout the telecast, winning the 10-11 p.m. hour in adults 18-49 and other key demographics.

On Sunday, March 11 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall. At 8 p.m., "Grease: You're the One That I Want" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 38 percent.

At 9 p.m., "Deal or No Deal" (3.8/9 in 18-49, 12.9 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in nine weeks (since January 7) and biggest non-sports total viewership in the slot since the Emmy Awards telecast on August 27, 2006. From its first to its second half-hour, "Deal" grew by 14 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.0/10 from a 3.5/9). At 10 p.m., "The Apprentice" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) was up 7 percent in 18-49 and 14 percent in total viewers versus the prior Sunday, earning its strongest numbers since January 28.