NBC IS #2 FOR THE WEEK IN 18-49, POWERED BY 'DEAL, ' 'GLADIATORS, ' 'SVU, ' 'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' AND 'BIGGEST LOSER'

NBC IS #2 FOR THE WEEK IN 18-49, POWERED BY 'DEAL, ' 'GLADIATORS, ' 'SVU, ' 'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' AND 'BIGGEST LOSER'

NBC WINS ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONDAY, FUELED BY 'DEAL OR NO DEAL' AND 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS,' THE #1 AND #2 SHOWS OF THE NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49

'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' WINS ITS SLOT IN 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER MEASURES AND IS MONDAY'S #1 SHOW IN ADULTS 18-34, MALE DEMOS, TEENS AND KIDS

MONDAY'S 'DEAL' IS THE #1 SHOW OF THE NIGHT IN BOTH 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'MEDIUM' WINS ITS MONDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ATTRACTS ITS BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP SINCE MAY 2006

'THE BIGGEST LOSER' ON TUESDAY IS THE TOP-RATED ALTERNATIVE TO 'IDOL,' MATCHING THE ABC-CBS COMPETITION COMBINED

TUESDAY'S 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' BEATS THE COMPETITION COMBINED IN ADULTS 18-49 AND DOUBLES THE COMBINED COMPETITION IN ADULTS 18-34

WEDNESDAY'S 'DEAL OR NO DEAL' SCORES NBC'S HIGHEST RATING IN THE SLOT OPPOSITE 'IDOL' IN FOUR YEARS

'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' IS THE #1 SHOW ON THURSDAY NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49, 18-34 AND 25-54

'1 VS 100,' 'FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS' AND 'LAS VEGAS' PROPEL NBC TO A FRIDAY WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS

BURBANK, Calif. � January 29, 2008 � With strong primetime performances throughout the week, NBC ranked #2 in the key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.1 million viewers overall for the week of January 21-27, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. NBC has now finished first, second or tied for second in adults 18-49 for seven of the last eight weeks.

NBC also ranked #2 for the week in virtually all key demographic measures, including adults, men and women 18-34, men and women 18-49, adults 25-54 (tied with CBS) and teens 12-17.

NBC programmed three of the top 10 and six of the top 15 shows of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.6/12, #6), Monday's "Deal or No Deal" (4.4/10, #7), "American Gladiators" (4.2/10 #8), "Celebrity Apprentice" (3.7/9, #11, tied), "The Biggest Loser" (3.7/9, #11, tied) and Wednesday's "Deal or No Deal" (3.7/9, #11, tied). It is worth noting that two of these shows � "The Biggest Loser" and Wednesday's "Deal or No Deal" � were in head-to-head competition with the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol," which were the #1 and #2-ranked programs of the week.

In overall total viewers, NBC also placed three programs in the week's top 10, with Monday's "Deal or No Deal" (14.2 million, #5), Wednesday's "Deal or No Deal" (13.7 million, #7) and "Law & Order: SVU" (13.0 million, #10).

Through 18 weeks of the 2007-08 season, five-tenths of a rating point currently separates the top four broadcast networks in adults 18-49, with Fox in the lead and with NBC, ABC and CBS tied for second place. Season-to-date averages in adults 18-49 for the period September 24, 2007 through January 27, 2008 are Fox (3.7/10) NBC, ABC and CBS (3.2/9), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.1/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1).

Through the first 18 weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC is the only network to have grown younger in primetime. NBC's median age is nearly one year younger than it was last season, moving to 46.6 years this season from 47.5 years at this point last season. In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.1 years (to 49.0 from 46.9), CBS's median age has increased to 52.8 years old from 52.0 and Fox's audience has aged to 44.3 from 43.7 years old.

Through the first four weeks of the year's first quarter, NBC is running #2 in adults 18-49 and is the only major network showing gains versus last year in regular-program averages. While NBC is up 3 percent year-to-year in regular-program adult 18-49 averages for the quarter (with a 3.2 rating vs. a 3.1), ABC, CBS and Fox are all down by double-digit percentages. "Law & Order: SVU," "American Gladiators," Monday's "Deal or No Deal," "Celebrity Apprentice" and "The Biggest Loser" all rank within the top 15 in 18-49 so far this quarter.

Primetime averages for the week of January 21-27 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.5/12), NBC (2.6/7), ABC and CBS (2.3/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (0.7/2) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (11.7 million), CBS (9.3 million), NBC (8.1 million), ABC (6.8 million), Univision (3.8 million), CW (2.1 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

NBC highlights for the week of January 21-27:

* NBC won its second consecutive Monday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Deal or No Deal" and "American Gladiators" were the #1 and #2 shows of the night on any network in adults 18-49.

* On Monday, "American Gladiators" won its time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. In 18-49, "Gladiators" prevailed by a 35 percent margin over its closest competitor, Fox's "Prison Break." "Gladiators" was the #1 show of the night on any network among adults 18-34, key male demos, teens and kids.

* "Deal or No Deal" was the #1 show on television Monday night in both adults 18-49 and total viewers. It beat its closest competitors in the time period by 22 percent in 18-49 and 42 percent in total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Medium" matched its highest 18-49 rating in nearly a year, and in total viewers, it was the most-watched episode of the series since May 2006. "Medium" won its slot in adults 18-49 and other key measures.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" was easily the top-rated alternative to Fox's "Idol"-boosted lineup, with "Loser" matching the combined ABC-CBS competition in 18-49 over the two-hour block. "Loser" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the Tuesday 8-9 p.m. ET hour opposite "Idol" in nearly two years. "Loser" grew by 88 percent in 18-49 and 80 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" dominated its time period, beating the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49 and doubling the combined competition in adults 18-34.

* On Wednesday, "Deal or No Deal" was the top-rated alternative to "American Idol." Despite the "Idol" competition, "Deal or No Deal" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since December 13, 2006 and NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot facing "Idol" competition in four years (since January 21, 2004).

* NBC ranked #2 on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers, trailing only "Idol"-fueled Fox. Through all four nights of "Idol" competition so far this season, NBC has ranked #2 in adults 18-49, and, in every instance with substantial improvements over the same nights last year.

* On Thursday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" was the #1 show of the night on any network in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54, winning its slot in all those key demos.

* Also on Thursday, an original episode of "Chuck," the second half of NBC's special "Chuck Sandwich," won the 10 p.m. hour in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and all other key adult-male demographics.

* NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and other key measures with strong performances from "1 vs 100," "Friday Night Lights" and "Las Vegas."

* On Sunday, the two-hour special "Guinness World Records: Top 100" surged by 44 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second hour, leaping from fourth place at 9 p.m. ET to first in the final hour of primetime.

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 January 21-27:

On Monday, Jan. 21, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "American Gladiators" (4.2 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall) won the first hour of primetime in adults 18-49, total viewers and nearly all other key ratings categories. "Gladiators" won the hour by a 35 percent margin in adults 18-49 (4.2 vs. 3.1 for Fox's second place "Prison Break").

From its first to its second half-hour, "American Gladiators" grew by 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.6/11 from a 3.9/10) and by 12 percent, or more than 1.1 million persons, in total viewers (to 10.6 million from 9.4 million).

"American Gladiators" was the #1 telecast on any broadcast network for the night among adults 18-34, men 18-49, men 18-34, teens 12-17 and kids 2-11.

At 9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (4.4/10 in 18-49, 14.2 million viewers overall) was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. Head-to-head versus Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "Deal" won the hour by a 22 percent margin in adults 18-49 (4.4 vs. 3.6 for "Sarah Conner" and CBS's encore comedies in the hour). In total viewers, "Deal" prevailed by 42 percent, or more than 4.2 million persons, over CBS's second-place comedy encores (14.2 million vs. 10.0 million) and by 64 percent, or more than 5.5 million persons, over "Sarah Conner" (14.2 million vs. 8.7 million).

At 10 p.m. ET, "Medium" (3.3/9 in 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures. The 3.3 rating for "Medium" matches NBC's top rating in this time period since the opening night of the 2007-08 season (September 24, 2007) and the 10.1 million viewer tally is NBC's top result in this slot by that measure in more than seven months (since June 18, 2007). "Medium" was up by 43 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's season average in this time period prior to the debut of "Medium" (3.3 vs. 2.3).

With this telecast, "Medium" matched its highest 18-49 rating in nearly a year (since Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007). In total viewers it was the "most-watched" episode of the series since May 22, 2006.

NBC won Monday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, marking the network's second consecutive Monday win in both 18-49 and total viewers.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 5" (3.7/9 share in adults 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) was easily the top-rated alternative to Fox's "Idol"-boosted block, with "Loser" matching the combined ABC-CBS competition in adults 18-49 over the two hours. Versus the prior week, opposite the two-hour season premiere of "Idol," this week's "Biggest Loser" was up 23 percent in 18-49 rating (3.7 vs. 3.0) and by 25 percent in total viewers (9.0 million vs. 7.2 million). Versus NBC's results against "Idol" in the 8-9 p.m. hour on the same night last year, "Biggest Loser" was up 53 percent in 18-49 (2.9 vs. a 1.9 for "Dateline" on January 23, 2007). "Loser" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this hour opposite "Idol" since February 28, 2006.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" gained 88 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.9/12 from a 2.6/7) and 80 percent, or more than 5.2 million persons, in total viewers (to 11.7 million from 6.5 million).

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.6/12 in 18-49, 13.0 million viewers overall) dominated the hour in adults 18-49, beating the ABC-CBS competition combined (a 4.6 vs. a 4.2 combined for ABC's "Boston Legal" and CBS's "48 Hours Mystery"). In adults 18-34, "SVU" doubled the combined competition (4.0 for "SVU" vs. a 2.0 for ABC-CBS combined in the hour). With 13.0 million viewers overall, "SVU" attracted its second-highest total viewership of the season.

NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night in adults 18-34, adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers, trailing only Fox with "Idol."

On Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (3.7/9 in 18-49, 13.7 million viewers overall) was the top-rated alternative to "American Idol" in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all key ratings measures. In an hour of unscripted programming on the broadcast networks, "Deal" finished far ahead of all other "Idol" competitors, nearly doubling ABC's "Wife Swap"(1.9/5 in 18-49) and more than quadrupling CBS's "Power of 10" (0.8/2) and CW's "Crowned' (0.7/2).

Despite "Idol" competition, "Deal or No Deal" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since December 13, 2006 and NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot facing "Idol" competition in four years (since January 21, 2004). Versus its year-ago telecast, also opposite the second Wednesday "Idol," Wednesday's "Deal" was up 42 percent in 18-49 rating, despite this year's telecast airing in the lower-viewership 8 p.m. hour (3.7 this year at 8 p.m. vs. a 2.6 at 9 p.m. on January 24, 2007). Even with the "Idol" competition, "Deal" improved by 61 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period last season (3.7 vs. 2.3).

From its first to its second half-hour, "Deal" increased by 39 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.3/11 from a 3.1/8) and by 29 percent, or more than 3.5 million persons, in total viewers (to 15.4 million from 11.9 million).

At 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged a 2.1/5 in 18-49 and 8.2 million viewers overall.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all key measures. "Law & Order" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 43 percent in 18-49 rating and by 26 percent, or more than 2.1 million persons, in total viewers.

NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday in adults 18-34, adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. Through all four nights of "Idol" competition so far this season, NBC has ranked #2 in adults 18-49, in every instance with substantial improvements over the same nights last year.

On Thursday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. ET, a special Thursday telecast of "Chuck" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49 and tied for #1 among men 25-54.

Thursday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (3.7/9 in adults 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54. "Celebrity Apprentice" was the #1 show of the night on any network in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and other key demos. From half-hour to half-hour, "The Celebrity Apprentice" grew by 9 percent in both 18-49 rating (to a 3.8/10 from a 3.5/9) and total viewers (to 9.0 million from 8.3 million).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, a second special episode of "Chuck" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 6.6 million viewers overall), the second half of NBC's special Thursday "Chuck Sandwich," ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49 and 25-54.

On Friday, Jan. 25 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "1 vs 100" (2.3/7 in adults 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) ruled the hour, ranking #1 in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54, total viewers and virtually all other key measures. "1 vs 100" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the hour in eight weeks (since November 30). In total viewers, "1 vs 100" hit a season high, delivering NBC's biggest audience in the slot since December 7.

Friday at 9 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since November 16. "Lights" ranked #1 in the time period in adults 18-34, tied with Fox's "House" encore.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Las Vegas" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers) ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and numerous other key demos. "Vegas" matched its highest 18-49 rating since October 26.

NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key demographic measures.

On Saturday, Jan. 26, from 8-11 p.m. ET, the "U. S. Figure Skating Championships" averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 5.2 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, Jan. 27 from 7-9 p.m. ET, the "U. S. Figure Skating Championships" averaged a 0.8/2 in 18-49 and 4.8 million viewers overall.

From 9-11 p.m. ET, "Guinness World Records: Top 100" averaged a 2.2/5 in 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers overall. From its first to its second hour, "Guinness World Records: Top 100" increased by 44 percent in 18-49 (to a first-place 2.7/7 from a fourth-place 1.9/5) and its overall viewership by 22 percent or more than 1.2 million persons (to 6.9 million from 5.7 million).

"Guinness World Records: Top 100" won the 10-11 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49 and other key demographic measures. In the 10 p.m. hour, "Guinness" topped the ABC-CBS competition combined in men 18-34 and men 18-49.