'HEROES,' 'THE OFFICE' AND 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' PACE NBC'S WEEK OF OCT. 22-28

SEASON-TO-DATE, 'HEROES' IS MONDAY'S #1 SHOW IN 18-49 AND RANKS #5 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS

AGAINST WORLD SERIES COMPETITION, 'THE OFFICE' LIFTS NBC 42 PERCENT IN 18-49 VERSUS LAST SEASON'S SLOT AVERAGE AND RANKS #1 IN MEN 18-34

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' ON TUESDAY DOMINATES ITS TIME PERIOD IN EVERY KEY DEMOGRAPHIC AND IN TOTAL VIEWERS

ON WEDNESDAY, THE DEBUT OF 'PHENOMENON' GAINS 30 PERCENT IN 18-49 VERSUS NBC'S AVERAGE IN THE SLOT LAST SEASON; THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE WEEKS OF THE SEASON, NBC'S WEDNESDAY IS UP 25 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49

ON THURSDAY, 'MY NAME IS EARL' JUMPS 33 PERCENT AND '30 ROCK' GAINS 19 PERCENT IN 18-49 VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK, SCORING THEIR BEST NUMBERS SINCE THEIR SEASON PREMIERES VERSUS WORLD SERIES COMPETITION

BURBANK, Calif. � October 30, 2007 � Paced by "Heroes," "Law & Order: SVU" and "The Office," NBC averaged a 2.6 rating, 7 share in 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall for the week of October 22-28, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

In a week in which primetime sports telecasts impacted the weekly program rankings, NBC had three of the top 10 entertainment programs of the week with "Heroes" (#7) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "The Office" (#9 tied). Among adults 18-34, "Heroes" and "The Office" were tied at #4 among all entertainment programs, "Scrubs" ranked #6 and "SVU" ranked #9 (Note: entertainment program rankings exclude all primetime sports telecasts).

Through the first five weeks of the 2007-08 season, "Heroes" (6.2/14 in adults 18-49) is Monday's #1 program in 18-49 and the #5-ranked primetime program overall. "The Office" (5.3/12 in 18-49) is television's #1 comedy in adults 18-49 and ranks #8 among all programs season-to-date. "Law & Order: SVU" (5.0/14 in 18-49) is currently tied with ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" as television's top-rated 10 p.m. drama, and ranks #9 (tied) among all primetime programs season-to-date.

Primetime averages for the week of October 22-28 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.6/13), ABC (3.7/10), CBS (3.0/8), NBC (2.6/7), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.2/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (13.8 million), ABC and CBS (11.2 million), NBC (7.0 million), Univision (3.4 million), CW (3.0 million) and Telemundo (1.0 million).

NBC highlights for the week of October 22-28:

* On Monday, "Heroes" built on its lead-in by 69 percent in 18-49 to rank #2 for the hour, while winning the slot in adults and women 18-34 and in all key adult male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period, winning in every key adult, male and female demographic, as well as in total viewers. In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped the ABC competition by 74 percent and the CBS competition by 135 percent. In adults 18-34, "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS competition combined.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser' hit its highest 18-49 rating and largest total viewership in three weeks. "Loser" gained 15 percent in adults 18-49 versus its most recent 90-minute telecast.

* On Wednesday, opposite World Series coverage, the premiere of "Phenomenon" was up 30 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's average in this time period last season and up 7 percent versus the "Deal or No Deal" average in the slot this season. "Phenomenon" was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour in all key adult male demos.

* On Wednesday, despite competition from the World Series, "Bionic Woman" was up 11 percent in adults 18-34 versus the prior week, with gains in both men and women 18-34, and finished within one-tenth of an adult 18-49 rating point of its prior week performance. "Bionic" was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour among men 18-34 and men 18-49.

* Through the first five weeks of the season, NBC is up 25 percent in 18-49 and 40 percent in total viewers on Wednesday night.

* On Thursday, "My Name is Earl" surged 33 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week to deliver its highest demo rating and largest overall viewership since its September 27 season premiere.

* Also on Thursday, "30 Rock" jumped 19 percent in adults 18-49 versus the prior week, hitting its highest rating since its season premiere on October 4.

* "The Office" on Thursday soared 42 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average last season in its time period, despite competition last week from the World Series. "The Office" ranked #1 in the time period among men 18-34, opposite the Series.

* Additionally on Thursday, the seventh-season premiere of "Scrubs" was up 27 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's average in its time period last season, and "ER" topped its ABC and CBS drama competition to rank as the #1 non-sports choice in the hour opposite the World Series.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" continues to deliver robust ratings in its new time period. Through the first five weeks of the season, "The Office" is up 63 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's performance in this slot through this point last season.

* On Friday, "Deal or No Deal" attracted its biggest Friday viewership of the season, "Friday Night Lights" won its slot in adults 18-34 and increased by 8 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, and "Las Vegas" hit its highest 18-49 rating and largest total viewership since its September 28 season premiere.

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 October 22-28:

On Monday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.9 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) won the hour among men 18-34. "Chuck" grew from half-hour to half-hour, gaining 11 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.0 from a 2.7). "Chuck" has generated half-hour-to-half-hour increases with every one of its nine telecasts to date (five Monday originals and four Saturday encores).

At 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (4.9/11 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 69 percent in 18-49 rating to rank #2 for the time period in that demo. "Heroes" won the hour in adults 18-34 and women 18-34 and in all key adult-male demographics -- men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

From half-hour to half-hour, "Heroes" increased by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 5.2 from a 4.6), while all competing major networks exhibited declines. "Heroes" ranked #1 in adults 18-49 in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Journeyman" averaged a 2.4/6 in 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "The Singing Bee" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in three weeks.

Tuesday from 8:30-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) delivered its highest 18-49 rating and overall viewership in three weeks. "Loser" was up 15 percent in adults 18-49 and 9 percent in total viewers versus its most recent 90-minute telecast (a 2.7/7 and 6.5 million total viewers on October 9). From its first half-hour to its third, "Loser" gained 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.5 from a 2.9).

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.7/13 in 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall) dominated its time period, ranking #1 in every key adult demographic (adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54) as well as in total viewers.

In adults 18-49, "SVU" topped ABC's "20/20" special by a 74 percent margin (4.7 vs. 2.7) and beat CBS' "Cane" by 135 percent. Among adults 18-34, "SVU" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined by 38 percent (4.0 vs. a 2.9 for "20/20" and "Cane" combined).

From half-hour to half-hour, "SVU" increased by 9 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.9 from a 4.5) while "Cane" declined by 5 percent (to a 1.9 from a 2.0) and "20/20" declined by 31 percent (to a 2.2 from a 3.2). In total viewers, "SVU" gained 8 percent (to 12.8 million from 11.8 million) while "Cane" lost 5 percent (from 8.2 to 7.8 million) and "20/20" shed 31 percent (from 12.4 million to 8.5 million).

On Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the premiere of "Phenomenon" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour in all key adult male demos opposite World Series coverage. In adults 18-49, "Phenomenon" was up 30 percent versus NBC's average in this time period last season (3.0 vs. 2.3) and up 7 percent versus the average of "Deal or No Deal" in this time period this season (3.0 vs. 2.8). "Phenomenon" was the #2 non-sports choice in the hour among adults 18-49.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Bionic Woman" (3.3/8 share in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports choice in the hour among men 18-34 and men 18-49 opposite the World Series. Despite competition from the World Series, "Bionic Woman" finished within a tenth of an 18-49 rating point of the prior week's performance (3.3 vs. 3.4) and was up 11 percent among adults 18-34 (3.1 vs. 2.8), with gains in both women 18-34 (+20 percent) and men 18-34 (+3 percent).

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Life" averaged a 2.5/6 in 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers overall.

Through the first five weeks of the season, NBC's Wednesday lineup is up 25 percent in adults 18-49 rating (a 3.5 vs.2.8) versus the network's Wednesday average at this point last season. In overall total viewers, NBC's Wednesday lineup is up 40 percent so far this season.

On Thursday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.6/10 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) surged 33 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week to deliver its top results since the show's season premiere on September 27. "Earl" ranked a strong #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 and men 18-34.

At 8:30 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) jumped 19 percent in adults 18-49 versus its prior-week performance (3.1 vs. 2.6) to deliver its highest rating since its season premiere on October 4.

Thursday from 9-9:32 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.7/11 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) soared 42 percent above NBC's 18-49 average in this highly competitive time period last season (4.7 vs. 3.3), despite World Series competition. Season to date, "The Office" has lifted NBC by 63 percent in 18-49 rating in this time period versus the network's average at this point last season (5.2 vs. 3.2).

"The Office" built on its lead-in by 52 percent in 18-49 and by 38 percent in total viewers. "The Office" dominated this fiercely competitive hour among men 18-34, outperforming all competition in this demo, including Fox's coverage of the World Series.

Thursday from 9:32-10:01 p.m. ET, the seventh-season premiere of "Scrubs" (3.8/9 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) topped NBC's average in this time period last season by 27 percent in 18-49 (3.8 vs. 3.0) and also topped its own sixth-season debut by 6 percent (3.8 vs. 3.6 on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at 9 p.m.).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) topped both its drama competitors in adults 18-49 to emerge as the #1 non-sports choice in the hour opposite the World Series. "ER" topped CBS's "Without a Trace" by 12 percent in 18-49 (3.7 vs. 3.3) and beat ABC's "Big Shots" by 23 percent (3.7 vs. 3.0). It's worth noting that "ER" accomplished this latter feat despite a 100 percent lead-in advantage for "Big Shots" from the preceding half-hour (a 7.6 for "Grey's Anatomy" from 9:30-10 p.m. vs. a 3.8 for "Scrubs"). From half-hour to half-hour, "ER" maintained its 3.7 18-49 rating while ABC's "Big Shots" dropped 18 percent (to a 2.8 from a 3.4) and CBS's "Without a Trace" declined by 3 percent (to a 3.2 from a 3.3).

On Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.2/8 in 18-49, 10.5 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in 18-49 and #1 in total viewers. The Friday "Deal" was up 10 percent in adults 18-49 versus the prior week, hitting its second-highest Friday demo rating of the season. In total viewers, this was a Friday season high and a 14 percent increase week-to-week.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.9/6 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) tied for #2 in its time period in 18-49, finishing within 1 share of the time period lead, and ranked #1 in adults 18-34. "Lights" was up 8 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (5.8 million vs. 5.4 million).

At 10 p.m. ET Friday, "Las Vegas" (2.4/8 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) raked in its highest 18-49 rating and largest overall viewership since its two-hour season premiere on September 28. "Las Vegas" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 26 percent in 18-49 rating and 42 percent in total viewers (8.2 million vs. 5.8 million). "Las Vegas" ranked #2 for the time period in 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 (tied), men 18-34 and men 18-49.

On Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the 2000 feature film "Scary Movie" averaged a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. "Scary Movie" finished within a tenth of an 18-49 rating point of its network debut telecast on NBC two years ago (a 1.2/4 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005). At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Bionic Woman" delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-8 p.m. ET averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall and a 2.3 rating, 4 share in households. From 8-10:30 p.m., NBC's telecast of the 2004 feature film "The Bourne Supremacy" averaged a 1.9/5 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall. From 10:30-11 p.m., "Dateline NBC" delivered a 1.2/3 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.