'THE OFFICE,' '30 ROCK,' 'HEROES' AND 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' PACE NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF OCT. 27-NOV. 2

THE THIRD-SEASON PREMIERE OF '30 ROCK' ON THURSDAY SETS NEW SERIES-HIGH RATINGS, SURGING 21 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 18 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS LAST YEAR'S PREMIERE

'THE OFFICE' GROWS 14 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 19 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS WEEK-TO-WEEK, DELIVERING ITS BIGGEST TOTAL VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON AND TOPPING 'CSI' FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN ADULT 18-49 IN HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION

'ER' WINS ITS THURSDAY SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ALL OTHER KEY DEMOS, BEATING FRESHMEN SERIES ON ABC AND CBS

THE 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' TELECAST OF THE PATRIOTS-COLTS GAME TIES FOR #1 FOR THE WEEK IN 18-49 AND PROPELS NBC TO A SUNDAY WIN IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

'THE BIGGEST LOSER' ON TUESDAY ATTRACTS ITS LARGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON

ON TUESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' RANKS #1 IN ITS SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS, TOPPING RIVAL DRAMAS BY WIDE MARGINS

'HEROES' IS #1 IN ITS TOUGH MONDAY HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49, AND ALSO LEADS THE BROADCAST NETWORKS IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34

THROUGH THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OF THE SEASON, NBC IS THE YOUNGEST OF THE MAJOR BROADCAST NETWORKS

BURBANK, Calif. � November 4, 2008 � Paced by strong numbers from "The Office" and "30 Rock" on Thursday, "Heroes" on Monday and "Sunday Night Football," NBC averaged a 2.8 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall for the week of October 27-November 2, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" ranked #1 among all primetime programs this week in the key demographic of adults 18-49 (in a three-way tie in 18-49 rating with Fox's Wednesday telecast of the conclusion of the deciding game 5 of the World Series and "The Simpsons"). "NBC Sunday Night Football" was the #1 program of the week outright among men 18-49 and men 25-54.

"The Office" ranked #8 among all primetime programs in adults 18-49 and #3 among adults 18-34. "30 Rock"made its first appearance ever among the top 15 programs of the week in key adult demographics, ranking #13 for the week in adults 18-49 (tied with "Survivor") and #11 among adults 18-34. (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football post-game and pre-game telecasts).

Through the first six weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 45.6 years. By comparison, Fox's median age is currently 45.9 years old, ABC's median age is 50.6 and CBS's median age is 53.4.

Primetime averages for the week of October 27-November 2 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.4/9), ABC (3.1/8), CBS (2.8/8), NBC (2.8/7), Univision (1.6/4), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.4 million), ABC (10.1 million), Fox (9.5 million), NBC (7.5 million), Univision (4.1 million), CW (2.3 million) and Telemundo (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of October 27-November 2:

* On Monday, "Heroes" was #1 in its hour in adults 18-49, and also led the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34, on a night that included atypical competition from a potentially deciding World Series game as well as a strong Colts-Titans NFL matchup on ESPN.

* Also on Monday, "Chuck" matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks and "My Own Worst Enemy" was the #1 non-sports telecast on any broadcast network in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49. "Enemy" was also by far the "youngest" of the three rival dramas competing on the broadcast networks in its hour, with a median age more than 10 years younger than its closest competitor.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" hit a new season high in total viewers and matched its highest 18-49 rating of the season, scoring its highest rating in primetime's key demo since its September 16 season premiere.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and other key demographics. Among adults 18-49, "SVU" topped CBS's "Without a Trace" by 21 percent and ABC's "Eli Stone" by 84 percent. "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in women 18-34.

* On Wednesday, both "Deal or No Deal" and "Lipstick Jungle" posted week-to-week growth, with "Deal" increasing 16 percent in 18-49 rating and 9 percent in total viewers and "Lipstick Jungle" improving by 12 percent in 18-49 and 14 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

* On Thursday, the third-season premiere of "30 Rock" set new series highs in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Rock" grew 21 percent in 18-49 and 18 percent in total viewers versus last year's premiere, and surged 52 percent in 18-49 and 59 percent in viewers versus its performance last spring in the post-"Office" time period.

* Also on Thursday, "The Office" grew 14 percent in adults 18-49 and 19 percent in total viewers to deliver its top 18-49 rating since October 9 and its largest overall viewership of the season. "The Office" ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49, topping a first-run episode of CBS's "CSI" for the first time ever in that key demographic, and #1 among adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

* Additionally on Thursday, "Kath & Kim" grew 9 percent in both 18-49 and total viewers versus the prior week. The freshman comedy held 100 percent of its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and built on the "Earl" lead-in by 10 percent in women 18-34.

* "ER" again won its Thursday hour in adults 18-49 and all other key demos, topping freshmen dramas "Eleventh Hour" on CBS and "Life on Mars" on ABC. "ER" has now finished #1 in this time period in adults 18-49, excluding sports, for four weeks in a row.

* This week's "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New England Patriots at the Indianapolis Colts propelled NBC to a Sunday night win in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. The Patriots-Colts match-up was the top-scoring "SNF" in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures since September 28

* In head-to-head competition in the 9-10 p.m. hour, "NBC Sunday Night Football" topped ABC's "Desperate Housewives" in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

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 27-November 2:

On Monday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks. "Chuck" increased 8 percent in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its second (to a 2.7/7 from a 2.5/7) despite facing competition from a potentially deciding World Series game.

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.9/9 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) was #1 in the hour in adults 18-49 and also led the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34 on a night that included atypical competition from a potentially deciding World Series game, as well as a strong Colts-Titans NFL matchup on ESPN. (Note: Ratings for "Heroes" are increasing by 20 percent in 18-49 in "live plus seven day" results versus these "live plus same day" numbers in weeks for which Nielsen has calculated "L+7" data.)

At 10 p.m. ET, "My Own Worst Enemy" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports telecast on any broadcast network in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49. "My Own Worst Enemy" is by far the "youngest" of the three rival dramas competing on the broadcast networks in this hour. On this night, "My Own Worst Enemy," with a median age of 42.8 years, was more than 10 years younger than CBS's "CSI: Miami" encore (median age 53.4 years), and more than 12 years younger than ABC's "Boston Legal" (median age 55.1 years).

On Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 6" hit a new season high in total viewers and matched its highest 18-49 rating of the season. "Biggest Loser" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) increased 7 percent in 18-49 rating and 10 percent in total viewer versus the prior week. With a 3.2 rating in adults 18-49, "Loser" scored its highest rating in that key demo since its September 16 season premiere.

"The Biggest Loser" delivered significant half-hour-to-half-hour growth over its two-hour telecast, increasing by 42 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.7/9 from a 2.6/7) and 17 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 8.7 million from 7.4 million). For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "Biggest Loser" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34, pulled to within 0.3 of a point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 in a crowded field that included ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," CBS's "The Mentalist" and an encore telecast of Fox's "Fringe."

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults 18-49 and most key demographics. In adults 18-49, "SVU" posted a 21 percent margin of victory over CBS's second-place "Without a Trace" (3.5 vs. 2.9) and an 84 percent margin over ABC's "Eli Stone" (3.5 vs. 1.9). "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined among women 18-34 (a 4.3 for "SVU" vs. a combined 4.2 CBS's "Without a Trace" and ABC's "Eli Stone").

On Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 8:30-10 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) increased from the prior week by 16 percent in 18-49 rating (2.2 vs. 1.9) and by 9 percent in total viewers (8.3 million vs. 7.6 million). "Deal" grew from its first half-hour to its third by 71 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.9/7 from a 1.7/5) and by 47 percent or more than 3.1 million persons in total viewers (to 10.0 million from 6.8 million). From 10-11 p.m. ET, "Lipstick Jungle" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) increased versus the prior week by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and by 14 percent in total viewers (to 4.9 million from 4.3 million). "Lipstick Jungle" was #1 among women 18-34 (tied with CBS's "CSI: NY") and #2 in adults 18-34 and women 18-49, topping ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" in those demos.

(Note: On Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, NBC ran a Barack Obama paid political telecast which is not included in the nightly or weekly averages.)

On Thursday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.4/7, 6.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and other key demos and won its competitive slot in men 18-34, topping CBS's "Survivor," "ABC's "Ugly Betty," Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" encore and CW's "Smallville" in that demo.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "Kath & Kim" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 9 percent in both 18-49 rating (2.4 vs. 2.2) and total viewers (5.4 million vs. 5.0 million). "Kath & Kim" retained 100 percent of its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49 (up from an 88 percent retention the previous week) and adults 18-34 and built on the "Earl" lead-in by 10 percent in women 18-34.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.8/12 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) increased versus the prior week by 14 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 4.8 from a 4.2) and by 19 percent in total viewers (to 9.5 million from 8.0 million) to deliver its top 18-49 rating since October 9 and its largest overall viewership of the season (since April 17).

"The Office" ranked #2 in its time period in adults 18-49, topping a first-run episode of CBS's "CSI" for the first time ever in that key demographic. "The Office" ranked #1 in the half-hour in adults 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49, ahead of "CSI," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" in those demographic measures.

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, the third season premiere of "30 Rock" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) scored new series-high numbers. The Emmy Award-winning comedy was up 21 percent in 18-49 rating and 18 percent in total viewers versus last season's premiere (a 3.4/9 in 18-49 and 7.3 million viewers on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 8:30 p.m.).

Versus its three-week run last spring in this post-"Office" time period, "30 Rock" surged by 52 percent in 18-49 rating (4.1 vs. 2.7) and 59 percent in total viewers (8.7 million vs. 5.4 million). "30 Rock" retained 85 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "The Office," easily its best retention so far in the post-"Office" time slot and well ahead of its average retention in this time period last season of 69 percent. "30 Rock" ranked #1 in its highly competitive time period in men 18-49 and men 18-34, topping CBS's "CSI," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and Fox's "Kitchen Nightmares" in those demos.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 9.2 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all other key demographics over the freshmen dramas "Eleventh Hour" on CBS and "Life on Mars" on ABC. "ER" has now finished #1 in this time period in adults 18-49, excluding sports, for four weeks in a row. Versus the prior week, "ER" was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating (3.4/9 vs. 3.2/8) and 4 percent in total viewers (9.2 million vs. 8.8 million).

NBC finished within 0.5 of a rating point of the nightlong win in adults 18-49 and won Thursday night in adults 18-34 and men 18-34.

On Friday, Oct. 31 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" averaged a 0.9/4 in 18-49 and 4.9 million viewers overall. On a night impacted by Halloween distraction, "Deal" ranked #2 in its hour in total viewers. At 9 p.m., "Crusoe" delivered a 0.8/3 and 4.1 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m., "Lipstick Jungle" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Lipstick Jungle" increased by 29 percent in women 18-34 (to a 0.9 from a 0.7), by 15 percent in women 18-49 (to a 1.5 from a 1.3) and by 13 percent in women 25-54 (to a 1.8 from a 1.6), while also posting half-hour to half-hour increases in adults 18-34 and adults 18-49.

On Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Knight Rider" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall. From 9-9:30 p.m., a rebroadcast of "The Office" delivered a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 1.9 million viewers overall.

Saturday from 9:30-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the October 25 edition of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Jon Hamm and featuring musical guest Coldplay, averaged a 1.2/4 in 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers overall.

On Sunday, Nov. 2, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New England Patriots at the Indianapolis Colts averaged a 6.2/15 in adults 18-49, 16.7 million viewers overall and a 10.6/16 household rating/share for its full duration from 8:23-11:04 p.m. ET. This was the top-scoring "NBC Sunday Night Football" in adults 18-49, total viewers, households and other key measures since September 28.

The game was the #1 telecast on Sunday night in total viewers and adults 18-49 (tied with "The Simpsons," which averaged a 6.2 for 31 minutes from 8-8:31 p.m. ET). In head-to-head competition from 9-10 p.m., "Sunday Night Football" beat ABC's "Desperate Housewives" in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 5.3/13 in 18-49 and 14.2 million viewers overall. NBC ranked #1 for the night in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall and a 3.1/5 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.0/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall and a 5.5/9 in households. From 8:15-8:23 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 4.2/10 in 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall and a 7.7/12 in households. 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.