NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 3-9

NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 3-9

'MEDIUM' WINS ITS MONDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS, GAINING 20 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 19 PERECENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS WEEK-TO-WEEK

'THE BIGGEST LOSER' GAINS 21 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 15 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK AND IS TUESDAY'S TOP-RATED ALTERNATIVE TO 'AMERICAN IDOL' IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'LAW & ORDER' ON WEDNESDAY LOCKS UP A SLOT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER MEASURES

'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' GROWS 13 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 15 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK

ON FRIDAY, 'DATELINE' REPORTS NBC'S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING IN ITS SLOT IN MORE THAN A YEAR, AND 'AMNE$IA' GROWS 15 PERCENT WEEK-TO-WEEK, AS NBC WINS THE NIGHT IN 18-49

THROUGH 24 WEEKS OF THE 2007-08 SEASON, NBC IS TIED FOR #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND IS THE ONLY MAJOR NETWORK TO HAVE GROWN YOUNGER IN PRIMETIME

BURBANK, Calif. � March 11, 2008 � Key time period wins from scripted dramas "Medium," "Law & Order" and "SVU," and week-to-week ratings growth from unscripted series "The Biggest Loser," "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Amne$ia" propelled NBC to a #2 finish for the week of March 3-9 in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, averaging a 2.4 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Through 24 weeks of the 2007-08 season, Fox is leading in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, with NBC and ABC tied in second place. Season-to-date averages in adults 18-49 for the period September 24, 2007 through March 9, 2008 are Fox (4.4/12), NBC and ABC (3.1/8), CBS (3.0/8), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1).

Through the first 24 weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC is the only network to have grown younger in primetime, and NBC is now the "second-youngest" of the major broadcast networks. NBC's median age has moved to 47.3 years this season from 47.7 years at this point last season. In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.1 years (to 48.8 from 46.7), CBS's median age has increased by 1.1 years to 52.9 years old from 51.8 and Fox's median age has increased by 1.0 year to 43.7 from 42.7 years old at this point last season.

Primetime averages for the week of March 3-9 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.5/12), NBC (2.4/6), ABC (2.3/6), CBS (2.2/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (0.9/2) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (12.1 million), CBS (8.1 million), NBC (7.5 million), ABC (7.3 million), Univision (3.7 million), CW (2.3 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of March 3-9:

* On Monday, "Medium" won its hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54, among other key demos. "Medium" conjured a 20 percent gain in 18-49 rating and 19 percent growth in total viewers versus the prior week.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" was the top-rated alternative to Fox's "American Idol"-led lineup in adults 18-49 and other key measures. "Biggest Loser" grew by 21 percent in 18-49 rating and 15 percent in total viewers versus the prior week to score its top results in both measures since January 22.

* "Biggest Loser" on Tuesday gained 63 percent in 18-49 rating and 54 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, surging into first place in its final half-hour in adults 18-49, topping such original competition as Fox's debuting drama "New Amsterdam," CBS's "Big Brother" and ABC's "Carpoolers."

* Also on Tuesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" won its slot in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key measures, topping first-run competition on ABC and CBS.

* NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday in adults 18-49, behind only "Idol"-fueled Fox. NBC has finished #2 in 18-49 on all eight Tuesdays so far this season in which Fox has run "American Idol," and has ranked #1 or #2 for the last 14 Tuesdays in a row.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order" won its time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. In adults 18-49, "Law & Order" prevailed by a 32 percent margin over CBS's "CSI: NY" encore and by an 81 percent margin over ABC's first-run "Men in Trees."

* NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the fourth week in a row.

* On Thursday, "The Celebrity Apprentice" was up 13 percent in 18-49 and 15 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. "Celebrity Apprentice" continues to pace well ahead of the most recent cycle in the "Apprentice" franchise, with Thursday's episode, the 10th of the current cycle, topping the 10th episode of "Apprentice 6" by 30 percent in 18-49 rating. Season-to-date, the increase for "Celebrity Apprentice" over "Apprentice 6" is 21 percent in adults 18-49.

* Also on Thursday, "Lipstick Jungle" finished within one-tenth of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and won its slot in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its time period in more than a year, while new series "Amne$ia" grew by 15 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week. NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and other key demographic measures.

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 March 3-9:

On Monday, March 3, from 8-9 p.m. ET, "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" (2.4 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49, 15.4 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in all key adult-female demographics and #1 among teen 12-17 and kids 2-11.

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 29 percent in 18-49 rating and 50 percent in total viewers. "Deal" ranked #2 in total viewers and all key adult female demographics, trailing only ABC's two-hour "Royal Family" special.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Medium" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54 and other key demographics. "Medium" conjured a 20 percent gain in adults 18-49 and 19 percent growth in total viewers versus the prior week's telecast, to summon its top results in its last three telecasts.

Tuesday, March 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 5" (3.5/9 share in adults 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) was the top-rated alternative to Fox's "American Idol"-led lineup in adults 18-49 and most other key ratings categories

Versus the prior week's telecast, "Biggest Loser" was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating (3.5/9 vs. 2.9/7) and by 15 percent, or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers (8.6 million vs. 7.5 million) to score its top results by both measures since January 22.

"Biggest Loser" gained 63 percent in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its fourth (to a 4.4/10 from a 2.7/7) and 54 percent, or more than 3.7 million persons, in total viewers (to 10.7 million from 6.9 million). In its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m., "Loser" surged into a #1 finish in adults 18-49, topping such first-run competition as "Fox's debut of "New Amsterdam," CBS's "Big Brother" and ABC's "Carpoolers."

Tuesday at 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order; Special Victims Unit" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) won the hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and most other key measures, topping first-run competition from CBS's "Jericho" and ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do?"

NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night in adults 18-49, behind only "Idol"-fueled Fox. NBC has finished #2 in 18-49 on all eight Tuesdays so far this season in which Fox has run "American Idol," and has ranked #1 or #2 for the last 14 Tuesdays in a row.

On Wednesday, March 5 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in total viewers.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.1/5 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 31 percent in 18-49 rating and 33 percent in total viewers. "Deal" ranked #2 in the time slot in men 18-49 and 25-54.

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key measures. In adults 18-49, "Law & Order" prevailed by a 32 percent margin over CBS's "CSI: NY" encore (2.9/8 vs. a 2.2/6) and by an 81 percent margin over ABC's first-run "Men in Trees" (2.9/8 vs. 1.6/4).

NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday night in adults 18-49 and total viewers for the fourth Wednesday in a row.

On Thursday, March 6 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" averaged a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers overall.

Thursday from 9-10:01 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (3.5/8 in adults 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) grew by 13 percent in 18-49 rating and 15 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (3.1/8 in 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers overall on February 28). "Celebrity Apprentice" built by 94 percent in 18-49 rating and 111 percent in total viewers versus its lead-in from the previous hour.

"Celebrity Apprentice" continues to pace solidly ahead of the most recent cycle in the "Apprentice" franchise, with Thursday's episode, the 10th of the current cycle, topping the 10th episode of "Apprentice 6" by 30 percent in 18-49 rating (3.5 vs. a 2.7 on Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 10 p.m.). Season-to-date, the increase for "Celebrity Apprentice" over "Apprentice 6" is 21 percent in adults 18-49 in "live plus same day" averages.

In adults 18-49, "Celebrity Apprentice" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 in the hour, tied with Fox's "New Amsterdam." It is worth noting that "Celebrity Apprentice" pulled into a tie in the hour with "New Amsterdam," which benefited from an 18-49 lead-in from "American Idol" that was more than five times as big as the lead-in for the NBC series. In fact in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour, "Celebrity Apprentice" moved decisively into sole possession of second place in adults 18-49, with a 23 percent advantage over the final half-hour of "New Amsterdam" (3.7 vs. 3.0), despite the extraordinary lead-in advantage enjoyed by the latter program.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) finished one-tenth of an 18-49 rating point out of first place for the time period in that demo, and ranked #1 among adults 18-34, women 18-49 and women 18-34.

On Friday, March 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Amne$ia" (1.5/5 in adults 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) grew by 15 percent in 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.3) versus the prior week's telecast.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (2.6/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in more than a year (since February 23, 2007). In total viewers, it was NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot since September 28, 2007.

"Dateline NBC" won the time period in total viewers, adults 25-54 and all key-adult female demographics. In its second hour, from 10-11 p.m., "Dateline" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, total viewers and all key ratings measures. The March 7 edition of "Dateline" featured Keith Morrison's interview with Elizabeth Shoaf, the high-school girl who was held captive for 10 days in an underground bunker and managed her own rescue.

From its first to its fourth half-hour, "Dateline" grew by 50 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.0/9 from a 2.0/6) and by 36 percent, or more than 2.4 million persons in total viewers (to 9.4 million from 6.9 million).

NBC won Friday night in adults 18-49 and other key ratings measures.

On Saturday, March 8, at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers overall, up 67 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.0 vs. 0.6). At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) built on its 18-49 lead-in by 50 percent and was up 25 percent in 18-49 versus the prior week (to a 1.5/4 from a 1.2/4).

Saturday at 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest non-sports 18-49 rating in this slot so far this year (since December 15, 2007). The Saturday "Law & Order" encore was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week's telecast (1.8/5 vs. 1.5/5).

On Sunday, March 9 from 7-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 7.8 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest total viewership in the time period in nine weeks (since January 6), ranking #2 (tied) in adults 25-54. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Moments" increased by 107 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.9/7 from a 1.4/5) and by 95 percent, or more than 5.1 million persons in total viewers (to 10.6 million from 5.5 million). At 9 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order" delivered a 1.7/4 in 18-49 and 6.7 million viewers overall.

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (2.3/6 in 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 35 percent in 18-49 rating to rank #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and most key measures against first-run competition on ABC and CBS.