NBC RESULTS FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF APRIL 21-27

NBC RESULTS FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF APRIL 21-27

ON WEDNESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER,' FEATURING THE FAREWELL APPEARANCE OF JESSE L. MARTIN, LOCKS UP ITS BEST NUMBERS SINCE ITS SEASON PREMIERE

'LAW & ORDER' DOMINATES ITS HOUR, RANKING #1 IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND ALL OTHER KEY MEASURES, BEATING THE ABC-CBS COMPETITION COMBINED IN 18-49

ON TUESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' BEATS THE COMPETITION COMBINED IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'MEDIUM' CONTINUES TO CONJURE STRONG NUMBERS ON MONDAY, SCORING AN 18-49 RATING 39 PERCENT HIGHER THAN NBC'S AVERAGE IN THE SLOT THIS SEASON PRIOR TO 'MEDIUM'

SUNDAY'S 'DATELINE NBC' HITS A 10-WEEK TIME-PERIOD HIGH IN 18-49 AND A 16-WEEK HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS

BURBANK, Calif. � April 29, 2008 � Paced by strong performances from "The Office" "Law & Order" and "SVU," NBC averaged a 2.1 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall for the week of April 21-27, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Through 31 weeks of the 2007-08 season, Fox leads in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, with the race for #2 extremely tight. Season-to-date averages in adults 18-49 for the period September 24, 2007 through April 27, 2008 are Fox (4.3/11), ABC and CBS (3.0/8), NBC (2.9/8), Univision (1.5/4), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1).

NBC is now the "second-youngest" of the major broadcast networks. Through the first 31 weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC is matching its median age from the prior season (48.2 years). In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.3 years (to 49.2 from 46.9), CBS's median age has increased to 52.7 years old from 51.9 and Fox's median age has increased by 1.3 years to 43.9 from 42.6 years old at this point last season.

Primetime averages for the week of April 21-27 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.4/9), ABC (2.9/8), CBS (2.5/7), NBC (2.1/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (1.1/3) and Telemundo (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS and Fox (9.2 million), ABC (9.1 million), NBC (7.0 million), Univision (3.6 million), CW (2.6 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

Versus the same week last year, NBC matched its year-ago performance in 18-49 rating (2.1 vs. 2.1) while the other major networks are all down by double-digit percentages -- Fox by 24 percent (3.4 vs. 4.5), CBS by 14 percent (2.5 vs. 2.9) and ABC by 12 percent (2.9 vs. 3.3).

NBC highlights for the week of April 21-27:

* On Monday, "Medium" continues to summon strong numbers, matching its prior week's results despite competition this week from a first-run "CSI: Miami." "Medium" on Monday was up 39 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's average in this time period this season prior to "Medium's" debut.

* Also on Monday, despite competition from ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS's first-run comedy lineup, a two-hour "Deal or No Deal" grew by 52 percent in 18-49 rating and by 48 percent or more than 3.9 million persons in total viewers from its first to its final half-hour.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" dominated its time period, beating the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. "SVU" also won the hour in total viewers.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order," featuring the farewell appearance of Jesse L. Martin, locked up that series' highest 18-49 rating and biggest total viewership since its season premiere in January. "Law & Order" dominated its time period, winning by all key measures and topping the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49.

* Also on Wednesday, "Deal or No Deal" hit a 10-week high for NBC in both 18-49 rating and total viewership, ranking #2 in its two-hour slot in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, behind only Fox's "Idol"-boosted lineup.

* On Thursday, "The Office" won its tough time period among men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping first-run drama competition from "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI" in those elusive demos. At 9:30, "30 Rock" beat "Grey's" and "CSI" among men 18-34.

* On Sunday, "Dateline NBC" reported the network's highest 18-49 rating in its time period in 10 weeks and biggest total viewership in 16 weeks.

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 April 21-27:

On Monday, April 21 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 10.1 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in seven weeks (since March 3) and top total viewer tally in this slot in eight weeks (since February 25). "Deal" increased from its first to its final half-hour by 52 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.2/8 from a 2.1/6) and by 48 percent or more than 3.9 million persons in total viewers (to 12.2 million from 8.2 million).

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Medium" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 9.8 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Medium" matched its prior week's results in both 18-49 and total viewers, despite facing competition this week from a first-run "CSI: Miami." And, despite the first-run "CSI: Miami" and diminishing spring viewership levels, "Medium" on Monday, April 21 outperformed its season-to-date average in adults 18-49 (3.2 vs. 3.1, "live plus same day"). Versus NBC's average in this time period prior to "Medium's" debut on January 7, this week's "Medium" was up 39 percent in 18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.3, "live plus same day").

On Tuesday, April 22 at 8 p.m. ET, "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered a 1.2/4 in adults 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall. From 8:30-10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its third, the "SNL" special grew by 38 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8/4 from a 1.3/3) and by 29 percent, or 1.0 million persons in total viewers (to 4.3 million from 3.3 million).

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.0/11 in 18-49, 11.6 million viewers overall) beat the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. "SVU" also won the slot in total viewers.

On Wednesday, April 23 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.4/6, 10.0 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating and total viewer result in this time period in 10 weeks (since February 13). "Deal" ranked #2 in the two-hour slot in 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, behind only Fox's "Idol"-boosted lineup.

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (3.7/10 in adults 18-49, 12.7 million viewers overall), featuring the farewell appearance of Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green, scored its highest 18-49 rating and largest total viewer tally since its 18th season premiere on January 2 (3.8/9 in 18-49, 13.5 million viewers).

"Law & Order" dominated its time period, winning every key category and matching or topping the combined ABC-CBS competition in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. In adults 18-49, "Law & Order" scored a 76 percent margin of victory over CBS's encore telecast of "CSI: NY" in second place (3.7 vs. a 2.1 for the "CSI: NY" rebroadcast) and a 147 percent margin over ABC's first-run "Men in Trees" (3.7 vs. 1.5).

NBC ranked #2 on Wednesday night in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, behind only "American Idol"-boosted Fox.

On Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key measures. At 8:30 p.m., "Scrubs" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) built on its "Earl" lead-in by 4 percent in 18-49 rating.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.0/10 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous half-hour by 60 percent, despite tough competition in the time period from first-run episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI." "The Office" ranked #1 in men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping the drama competition in those key demos, and ranked #2 in adults 18-34.

From 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating from its last seven original telecasts (dating back to November 15), despite the tough time-period competition. "30 Rock" won its slot among men 18-34. Versus the same night last year, "30 Rock" was up by 17 percent in both 18-49 (2.8 vs. a 2.4 on April 26, 2007) and total viewers (5.5 million vs. 4.7 million).

Thursday, from 10:01-11 p.m., "ER" (3.0/8 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) was only off one-tenth of an 18-49 rating point from its two prior post-strike telecasts, despite increased competition from the time-period premiere of "Lost" in the hour.

On Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 3.6 million viewers overall. At 8:30 p.m., a second encore "Most Outrageous Moments" delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.9 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.9/6 in adults 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures.

On Saturday, April 26, at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Medium" averaged a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.6 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., an encore "Law & Order" averaged a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall.

NBC's primetime performance increased steadily half-hour to half-hour on Saturday, building by 120 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.1/3 from a 0.5/2) and by 95 percent in total viewers (to 5.1 million from 2.6 million) from the first to the final half-hour of primetime.

On Sunday, April 27 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) reported the network's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in 10 weeks (since February 17) and top total-viewer result in the slot in 16 weeks (since January 6). From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.7/5 from a 1.4/5) and 18 percent, or 1.1 million persons in total viewers (to 7.4 million from 6.3 million). At 8 p.m., "Monk" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 5.8 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., "Psych" delivered a 1.0/2 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall.

At 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" delivered a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 6.5 million viewers overall. From half-hour to half-hour, "SVU" increased by 31 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1/6 from a 1.6/4).