NBC OFFERS OWNED AND AFFILIATED STATIONS SECOND RUN OF EARLY EPISODES OF NEW HIT SERIES 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' FOR NON-PRIMETIME WEEKENDS OF JANUARY 19-20, JANUARY 26-27 AND FEBRUARY 2-3

NBC OFFERS OWNED AND AFFILIATED STATIONS SECOND RUN OF EARLY EPISODES OF NEW HIT SERIES 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' FOR NON-PRIMETIME WEEKENDS OF JANUARY 19-20, JANUARY 26-27 AND FEBRUARY 2-3

Rare Move Provides Stations with Network Programming and Increases New Series' Audience Sampling

BURBANK - January 8, 2008 - In an unprecedented move, NBC is offering its owned and affiliated stations a second run of the first three episodes of the new hit series "American Gladiators" for non-primetime broadcast on the weekends of January 19-20, January 26-27 and February 2-3 -- thereby providing the stations with an enhanced sampling opportunity with network programming for viewers in other dayparts. The announcement was made by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The idea for the re-purposed broadcasts came from the recent NBC Affiliate Board meeting. Viewers are urged to check local listings for exact re-broadcast times in their areas.

"This unique partnership with our owned and affiliated stations gives us a great post-premiere window to increase the sampling for this tremendous new hit series," said Silverman. "Plus, it may often air in the same time period as the syndicated series did when it became a smash series years ago."

"We're extremely excited by the response to 'American Gladiators,'" said John Wallace, President of the NBC Local Media Division. "By adding the show to our weekend afternoon lineup, we can expose the program to a new audience and benefit from the local ad opportunities. It's a win-win for all involved."

"American Gladiators" premiered in its regular day and time Monday, January 7 (8-9 p.m. ET). The series debuted Sunday, January 6 with this season's highest adult 18-49 rating for any new-series premiere on any network and NBC's top new-series premiere since "Heroes" launched in September 2006. The debut of "American Gladiators" (5.9 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall in preliminary fast affiliate-based Nielsen results) scored NBC's highest non-sports rating in the Sunday 9-11 p.m. ET time period in nearly three years (since January 16, 2005). It's NBC's highest-rated new unscripted premiere in 18-49 since "The Apprentice" on January 8, 2004 (9.1).

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") host "American Gladiators," the iconic competition series, which returned with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

Celebrating the everyday, true American heroes -- weekend warriors who excel and take pride in their physical fitness -- 24 contenders will go up against the show's Gladiators, charismatic and eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. As in MGM's traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the Gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The series includes such classic events as Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and the Eliminator along with two brand-new events, Earthquake and Hit & Run. The 12 new Gladiators (six men and six women) are action-adventure stars ready to take down the everyday challengers with hard knocks and explosive attitudes.

The 24 male and female contenders will compete in three rounds of challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a $100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All contenders have a unique story to tell and a compelling reason why they need to win. These unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and turning them against the villainous Gladiators.

Each episode will feature two male and two female contenders competing against each other for points, all while the incredible Gladiators are lurking. Every competition will be unique, but all will end with a strenuous obstacle course known as the "Eliminator," the winners of which will be named as that episode's champions and will have the chance to move on in the competition.

The first six episodes of the series will be the preliminaries, which will cut the competition down to 12 contenders. The two slowest male "Eliminator" times and two slowest female "Eliminator" times will be dropped, leading the "final eight" contenders onto the semifinals. The four male and four female winners will be broken down further to compete in two semifinal episodes. The two winning male and female contenders from the semifinal rounds will compete head-to-head to determine who will be the male and female champions.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (the original producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers.