'HEROES' MAKES A VICTORIOUS RETURN TO THE MONDAY SCHEDULE

'HEROES' MAKES A VICTORIOUS RETURN TO THE MONDAY SCHEDULE

THE #1 NEW SERIES OF THE SEASON DELIVERS THE NIGHT'S TOP RATING IN PRELIMINARY 18-49 RESULTS, IS #1 IN ITS HOTLY CONTESTED HOUR IN NEARLY ALL KEY DEMOS AND TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � January 23, 2006 � Paced by the powerful mid-season return of television's #1 new series, "Heroes," NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49 for the 14th time this season, according to preliminary "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Last night from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.5 rating, 15 share in 18-49, 14.8 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, as well as in adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49, adults and women 25-54 and total viewers against tough competition that included Fox's "24," CBS' first-run comedies and ABC's "Supernanny" (pending updates of these preliminary results).

"Heroes" was the #1 program on television Monday night in adults 18-49, and is the #1 new series of the 2006-07 season in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

The "Heroes" victory over "24" in adults 18-49 marks the first time a regular-program competitor has topped an original episode of "24" in this time period since May 16, 2005 (the night of the "Everybody Loves Raymond" finale). The "Heroes" margin of victory for the hour was 20 percent in 18-49 (with a 6.5 rating vs. a 5.4 for "24"). "Heroes" improved the hour by 76 percent versus NBC's 18-49 rating in this time period on the same night last year.

At 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (5.2/13 in 18-49, 17.6 million viewers overall) kicked off NBC's Monday with a convincing time-period win in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Deal" generated a 24 percent margin of victory over its nearest competitor in 18-49 (5.2 vs. a 4.2 for the mid-season return of Fox's "Prison Break"). In total viewers, "Deal" prevailed by 7.7 million viewers (17.6 million vs. 9.9 million for "Prison Break"). This was the top-scoring one-hour telecast of "Deal" since November 27 in both 18-49 and total viewers.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 7.4 million viewers overall) is currently up 10 percent in adults 18-49 versus its most recent original telecast (2.9/8 on December 4) and is tied for its highest 18-49 rating since November 6 (live plus same day). In total viewers, this was the most-watched telecast of "Studio 60" since November 13. It ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

Preliminary 18-49 averages for Monday night are: NBC, 5.0/12; Fox, 4.8/11; CBS, 4.6/11; ABC, 3.2/8; CW, 1.1/3. In overall total viewers, January 22 preliminary results are: CBS, 14.2 million; NBC, 13.3 million; Fox, 12.2 million; ABC, 7.8 million; CW, 2.4 million

In local-market late-night results last night, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (4.6 rating, 12 share in metered-market households) defeated CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" (3.9/10), and ABC's "Nightline" (2.8/7) and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (1.4/5 with an encore telecast). Jay has finished #1 versus late-night competition on 90 of 91 nights so far this season in the metered markets (including ties).

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1.8/6 with an encore telecast) tied CBS' "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.8/6 with an encore telecast) and defeated the second half of Kimmel. Conan has finished #1 versus regular competition on 90 of 91 nights so far this season in the metered markets (including ties).

Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated. Metered-market household ratings are live only.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is the afternoon update with the final national Nielsen ratings.]

UPDATE: 'HEROES' MAKES A VICTORIOUS RETURN TO THE MONDAY SCHEDULE

UPDATE: 'HEROES' MAKES A VICTORIOUS RETURN TO THE MONDAY SCHEDULE

THE #1 NEW SERIES OF THE SEASON DELIVERS THE NIGHT'S TOP RATING IN 18-49, IS #1 IN ITS HOTLY CONTESTED HOUR IN NEARLY ALL KEY DEMOS AND TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � January 23, 2006 � Paced by the powerful mid-season return of television's #1 new series, "Heroes," NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49 for the 14th time this season, according to updated "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Last night from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (6.6 rating, 15 share in 18-49, 14.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, as well as in adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49, adults and women 25-54 and total viewers against tough competition that included Fox's "24," CBS' first-run comedies and ABC's "Supernanny."

"Heroes" was the #1 program on television Monday night in adults 18-49, and is the #1 new series of the 2006-07 season in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

The "Heroes" victory over "24" in adults 18-49 marks the first time a regular-program competitor has topped an original episode of "24" in this time period since May 16, 2005 (the night of the "Everybody Loves Raymond" finale). The "Heroes" margin of victory for the hour was 22 percent in 18-49 (with a 6.6 rating vs. a 5.4 for "24"). "Heroes" improved the hour by 78 percent versus NBC's 18-49 rating in this time period on the same night last year.

At 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (5.2/13 in 18-49, 17.6 million viewers overall) kicked off NBC's Monday with a convincing time-period win in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Deal" generated a 24 percent margin of victory over its nearest competitor in 18-49 (5.2 vs. a 4.2 for the mid-season return of Fox's "Prison Break"). In total viewers, "Deal" prevailed by more than 7.7 million viewers (17.6 million vs. 9.9 million for "Prison Break"). This was the top-scoring one-hour telecast of "Deal" since November 27 in both 18-49 and total viewers.

From 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) was up 7 percent in adults 18-49 versus its most recent original telecast (2.9/8 on December 4). "Studio 60" ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

Updated 18-49 averages for Monday night are: NBC, 5.0/12; Fox, 4.8/11; CBS, 4.6/11; ABC, 3.2/8; CW, 1.1/3. In overall total viewers, January 22 updated results are: CBS, 14.1 million; NBC, 13.3 million; Fox, 12.2 million; ABC, 7.7 million; CW, 2.5 million

In local-market late-night results last night, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (4.6 rating, 12 share in metered-market households) defeated CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" (3.9/10), and ABC's "Nightline" (2.8/7) and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (1.4/5 with an encore telecast). Jay has finished #1 versus late-night competition on 90 of 91 nights so far this season in the metered markets (including ties).

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1.8/6 with an encore telecast) tied CBS' "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.8/6 with an encore telecast) and defeated the second half of Kimmel. Conan has finished #1 versus regular competition on 90 of 91 nights so far this season in the metered markets (including ties).

Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated. Metered-market household ratings are live only.