NBC'S PRIMETIME LINEUP FINISHES WEEK NINE WITH A 12 PERCENT JUMP VERSUS ITS 18-49 RATING FOR THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR

NBC'S PRIMETIME LINEUP FINISHES WEEK NINE WITH A 12 PERCENT JUMP VERSUS ITS 18-49 RATING FOR THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR

FOR THE WEEK AND NOVEMBER SWEEP TO DATE, NBC IS UP IN 18-49, THE ONLY NETWORK SHOWING GROWTH IN PRIMETIME'S KEY DEMO

'HEROES' IS THE #1 NEW SHOW OF THE SEASON IN ADULTS 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'DEAL OR NO DEAL' SCORES SEASON-HIGH NUMBERS ON MONDAY AND TEAMS WITH SLOT-WINNERS 'VEGAS' AND 'L&O' TO WIN FRIDAY

THE THIRD-SEASON PREMIERE OF 'MEDIUM' CAPTURES NBC'S HIGHEST WEDNESDAY 9-11 P.M. RATING OF THE SEASON

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

BURBANK, Calif. - November 21, 2006 - NBC's primetime lineup has finished the November 13-19 week with a 12 percent increase on its adults 18-49 rating for the same week last year, making it the only major network to report a year-to-year gain for the week or the November sweep to date in primetime's key demographic. According to "live plus same day" in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC averaged a 3.7 rating and 10 share in 18-49 for the week and 10.1 million viewers overall.

"Heroes" was the #1 new series of the week in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54. In adults 18-49, "Heroes" ranked #7 out of all 100 telecasts last week. In adults 25-54, "Heroes" was #8 and in adults 18-34, "Heroes" ranked #4. Among all programs in adults 18-34, only ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" and CBS' Sunday NFL post-game show topped "Heroes."

Season-to-date, "Heroes" is now the #1 new series on television in the key demographics of adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, as well as in total viewers. In adults 18-49 season-to-date, "Heroes" ranks #6 among all 119 programs, trailing only "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "CSI," "Lost" and "NBC Sunday Night Football." In adults 18-34 season-to-date, "Heroes" is the #3 show on television, behind only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives."

Versus the comparable ninth week of last season, NBC this week was up 12 percent in adults 18-49 (3.7 vs. 3.3), up 5 percent in adults 25-54 (4.2 vs. 4.0), up 19 percent in 18-34 (3.1 vs. 2.6) and up 6 percent in total viewers (10.120 million vs. 9.580 million). NBC was the only network to exhibit year-to-year growth this week in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 or adults 18-34.

For the first nine 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 7 percent and Fox is down 9 percent. Season-to-date in total viewers, only NBC and ABC are showing gains year-to-year. NBC is up 10 percent versus the opening nine weeks of the last season (10.340 million vs. 9.360 million). ABC is up 9 percent by that measure, while CBS is down 2 percent and Fox is down 4 percent.

Primetime averages for the week of November 13-19 in adults 18-49 were ABC (4.4/11), CBS (4.0/11), NBC (3.7/10), Fox (2.7/7), CW (1.5/4), Univision (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (13.4 million), ABC (13.0 million), NBC (10.1 million), Fox (6.6 million), CW (3.7 million), Univision (3.3 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

For the first 18 nights of the four-week November sweep, NBC is #2 in adults 18-49 (tied with CBS), with a 22 percent increase on its 18-49 rating at this point in the sweep one year ago, while the other three major networks are all down year-to-year. In total viewers, NBC is up 14 percent for the sweep to date. Primetime averages for the sweep through November 19 in adults 18-49 were ABC (4.2/11), NBC and CBS (3.9/10), Fox (2.7/7), Univision and CW (1.4/4) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the sweep averages were CBS (13.0 million), ABC (12.3 million), NBC (10.6 million), Fox (6.6 million), CW (3.6 million), Univision (3.3 million) and Telemundo (0.8 million).

NBC highlights for the week of November 13-19:

* On Monday, "Deal or No Deal" hit season-high ratings and delivered its second-highest total viewership ever, trailing only last season's finale. "Deal" ranked #1 in its time period by a wide margin in all key measures.

* Also on Monday, "Heroes" was the #1 telecast of the night in adults 18-49, as it matched the second-highest 18-49 rating for any first-year series this season.

* NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, with its highest Monday average since April 3. This marked the network's seventh Monday win in nine weeks so far this season.

* NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. This was NBC's fifth Friday win of the season in 18-49 and second Friday win in total viewers. "Law & Order," "Las Vegas" and "Deal or No Deal" all won their time periods in adults 18-49 and NBC was up 50 percent in that key demo versus the same Friday last year.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" dominated its time period by all key measures, including adults 18-49 and total viewers, versus the premiere of CBS' "3 Lbs" and a special preview of ABC's "Show Me the Money." In adults 18-34, "SVU" matched the rating of those two competitors combined.

* On Wednesday, "The Biggest Loser" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating of the season in that night's 8 p.m. hour, up 27 percent versus the season-to-date average, despite competition from the finale of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars."

* Also on Wednesday, the special two-hour third-season premiere of "Medium" uncovered NBC's highest 18-49 rating and overall total viewership of the season in this time period.

* On Thursday, "ER" won its time period in adults 18-49, topping competition that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages.

* Led by "NBC Sunday Night Football," NBC soared 61 percent above its nightlong 18-49 average for the same Sunday last year.

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 November 13-19:

On Monday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (5.5 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 18.1 million viewers overall) hit season-high numbers and delivered its second-highest overall viewership ever, trailing only the first season finale on June 5 (18.2 million).

"Deal" ranked #1 in the hour by all key measures. In 18-49, its advantage over second place was 45 percent in 18-49 (5.5 vs. a 3.8 for Fox's second-place "Prison Break") and in total viewers, "Deal" prevailed by more than 8.8 million viewers (18.2 million vs. 9.2 million for "Prison Break"). "Deal" was up 90 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in the time period on the same night last year (5.5 vs. 2.9). From its first half-hour to its second, "Deal" increased by 31 percent in 18-49 (to a 6.3 from a 4.8).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.5/16 in 18-49, 15.1 million viewers overall) matched the second-highest 18-49 rating for any freshman series this year, trailing only the 6.7 "Heroes" itself posted on November 6.

"Heroes" was the night's #1 telecast in adults 18-49. It ranked #1 in its hour in all key demos and in total viewers. In 18-49, "Heroes" generated a 51 percent advantage over its nearest competitors (6.5 vs. 4.3 for CBS' comedy tandem of "Two and a Half Men" and "Old Christine"). "Heroes" was up by 63 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's non-sports average in this time period last season (6.5 vs. 4.0).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers.

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, marking the network's seventh Monday win in nine weeks this season. It was NBC's highest-rated Monday night in adults 18-49 since April 3. Versus the same night last year, NBC was up 42 percent in 18-49 (5.1 vs. 3.6) and by 2.5 million viewers overall (13.6 million vs. 11.1 million).

On Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" averaged a 2.3/6 in 18-49 and 5.5 million viewers overall. "Lights" ranked #2 for the time period among men 18-34.

At 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) was up 24 percent both in 18-49 rating and in overall total viewers versus the prior week. "Criminal Intent" increased dramatically from its first half-hour to its second, growing by 33 percent in 18-49 (to a 3.6/9 from a 2.7/7) and by more than 2.4 million viewers overall (to 10.4 million from 7.9 million)

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.3/15 in 18-49, 14.8 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since April 4 and locked up its highest total viewership since May 2 (live plus same day). "SVU" was a dominant #1 in the time period by all key measures versus the debuts of ABC's "Show Me the Money" and CBS' "3 Lbs." In adults 18-34, "SVU" matched the combined rating of the two competing shows (a 4.3 for "SVU" vs. a combined 4.3 for "Show Me the Money" and "3 Lbs"). In 18-49, "SVU" topped its nearest competitor by 39 percent (5.3 vs. a 3.8 for "Money")

On Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period this season, despite competition from the finale of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." Against that exceptional competition, "Loser" was up 27 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's season average for the slot (2.8 vs. 2.2) and increased in 18-49 rating by 19 percent from its first to its second half-hour (to a 3.1 from a 2.6).

At 9 p.m. ET, the two-hour third-season premiere of "Medium" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 9.4 million overall) uncovered NBC's highest numbers in this time period this season in both 18-49 and total viewers (live plus same day). "Medium" was up 21 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's season-to-date average for the two-hour slot (3.5 vs. 2.9) and also up 21 percent versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year.

"Medium" grew throughout its two-hour debut telecast, increasing 19 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8/10 from a 3.2/8) and by 12 percent in total viewers (to 10.0 million from 8.9 million) from its first half-hour to its fourth. In the 10-11 p.m. hour, which will be its regular time period, "Medium" ranked #2 by all key measures, outperforming the second hour of ABC's "Day Break" in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

On Thursday, Nov. 16 from 8-8:36 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.9/11 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and was #1 among adults 18-34 and men 18-34.

From 8:36-9:20 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.2/10 in 18-49, 8.4 million viewers overall) built by 8 percent in 18-49 on its lead-in from "Earl." "The Office" has equaled or built on its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49 with all eight original broadcasts this season.

From 8-9 p.m., ET, the tandem of "Earl" and "The Office" averaged a 4.1 in adults 18-49, outperforming ABC's "Ugly Betty" (3.9) for the hour for the first time this season.

From 9:20-10:01 p.m., "30 Rock" averaged a 2.4/6 in adults 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall.

From 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (5.5/15 in 18-49, 12.5 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults 18-49 versus rival programs that benefited from sizable lead-in advantages. "ER" built on its 18-49 lead-in by 129 percent, while CBS' "Shark" declined by 45 percent versus its "CSI" lead-in (to a 4.4 from an 8.0) and ABC's Barbara Walters special declined by 45 percent versus its lead-in from "Grey's Anatomy" (to a 4.8 from an 8.7).

On Friday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (3.3/11 in 18-49, 12.7 million viewers overall) won the time period in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, hitting NBC's highest "live plus same day" 18-49 rating in the time period since premiere-week Friday (September 22). This was NBC's highest total viewer result in the hour since May 12 ("live plus same day").

At 9 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.7/8 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49. "Vegas" was up 35 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's performance in the slot on the same night last year (2.7 vs. 2.0).

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/9 in 18-49, 9.9 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49.

NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. This marks NBC's fifth Friday win of the season in 18-49 and second in total viewers. NBC was up 50 percent in 18-49 versus the network's performance on the same Friday last year (3.0 vs. 2.0).

On Saturday, Nov. 18 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., an encore "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 2.0/6 in 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, Nov. 19, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the San Diego Chargers versus the Denver Broncos averaged a 5.7/14 in adults 18-49, 15.0 million viewers overall and a 9.5/15 household rating and share from 8:21-11:30 p.m. ET.

Chargers-Broncos football is up 84 percent versus the 3.1/8 NBC averaged from 8:30-11 p.m. on the same night last year. Versus the comparable night on NBC in 2005, NBC's Sunday primetime this week was up 61 percent in 18-49 (5.0/12 vs. 3.1/8) and up 37 percent in total viewers (13.056 million vs. 9.549 million).

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 2.8/8 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall and a 4.3/7 in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:13 p.m. delivered a 3.1/8 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 5.7/14 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall and a 6.0/9 in households.