'THE OFFICE' AND 'BIGGEST LOSER' PACE NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF APRIL 20-26

'THE OFFICE' TIES AS THE #8 SHOW OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND RANKS #5 IN ADULTS 18-34

'THE OFFICE' IS TV'S #1 SCRIPTED SERIES SEASON-TO-DATE IN THE VALUABLE ADULT 18-34 DEMO

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' GAINS 53 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 35 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO RANK #1 IN ITS FINAL 9-10 P.M. HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'LOSER' IS UP 8 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND 13 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS ITS YEAR-AGO CYCLE, AND IS THE BIGGEST 'LOSER' CYCLE IN TOTAL VIEWERS SINCE THE FIRST 'BIGGEST LOSER' IN 2004-05

'CELEBRITY APPRENTICE' ON SUNDAY SURGES 35 PERCENT IN 18-49 FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO WIN THE FINAL HOUR OF PRIMETIME IN ADULTS 18-49, ADULTS 25-54 AND ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS

ON THURSDAY 'PARKS AND RECREATION' BUILDS ON ITS LEAD-IN AND WINS THE SLOT IN ADULTS 18-34

'SOUTHLAND' WINS ITS THURSDAY HOUR IN ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS AND RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'HEROES' ON MONDAY WINS ITS TOUGH SLOT IN ADULTS AND MEN 18-34, WHILE 'MEDIUM' SUMMONS A SLOT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER DEMOS

ALSO ON MONDAY, 'CHUCK' HITS A SEVEN-WEEK HIGH IN 18-49 AND MATCHES ITS TOP SCORE SINCE ITS POST-SUPER BOWL 3-D TELECAST

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � April 28, 2009 � Paced by "The Office" and "Biggest Loser," augmented by strong performances throughout the week from such veteran and rookie series as "Heroes," "30 Rock," "Parks and Recreation," "Southland" and "Celebrity Apprentice," NBC averaged a 2.0 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall for the week of April 20-26, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC's primetime performance was paced by "The Office," which was the #8 program of the week (tied) in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. Among adults 18-34, "The Office" ranked #5 this week. Season-to-date, "The Office ranks #11 among all primetime series in adults 18-49. Among adults 18-34, "The Office" is primetime television's #1 scripted series season-to-date and the #3-ranked show overall, behind only the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol."

"The Biggest Loser: Couples" ranked #10 (tied) among all programs in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, despite competing with the #2-ranked program, the Tuesday edition of "American Idol." Among adults 18-34, "Biggest Loser" ranked #8 (tied) among all programs this week. "Loser" also ranked among the top 10 programs of the week in all key-adult female demographics. In the valuable demographic of adults 18-34, "30 Rock" ranked #10 and "Heroes" #11 (tied) among all primetime programs this week.

Primetime averages for the week of April 20-26 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.0/9), ABC (2.4/7), CBS, (2.3/7), NBC (2.0/6), Univision (1.5/4), CW (0.9/2) and Telemundo (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (9.2 million), Fox (8.6 million), ABC (8.1 million), NBC (6.0 million), Univision (3.8 million), CW (2.0 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Through the first 31 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is the only one of the major broadcast networks to decrease its median age versus the prior season. NBC is the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 47.3 years (versus 48.2 years at this point last season), 2.3 years "older" than Fox (45.0 years). By comparison, ABC's median age this season is 49.3 and CBS's median age is 53.9.

Season to date, NBC is running within 0.8 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, versus a deficit of 1.4 points at this time last season.

NBC highlights for the week of April 20-26:

* On Monday, "Chuck" scored its highest 18-49 rating in seven weeks and matched its top score in 18-49 since its post-Super Bowl 3-D telecast on February 2. "Chuck" won its tough slot April 20 in men 18-34.

* Also on Monday, "Heroes" won its highly competitive hour among adults and men 18-34, while "Medium" ranked #1 in the 10 p.m. hour in adults 18-49 and other key demos.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" attracted its biggest overall viewership for a regular-slot edition of the show since March 10, and delivered its second-highest 18-49 rating for a regular-slot episode since that same date.

* "The Biggest Loser: Couples" gained 53 percent in 18-49 rating and 35 percent or 2.8 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth, lifting it to a first-place finish in adults 18-49 in the 9-10 p.m. hour over such competition as Fox's "Fringe," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" results show and CBS's "Mentalist" encore. "Loser" gained 0.4 to 0.6 of an 18-49 rating point in each successive half-hour on Tuesday.

* "The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up 8 percent in adults 18-49 and 13 percent in total viewers versus its year-ago cycle. The current, seventh cycle of "The Biggest Loser" is the biggest "Loser" cycle in total viewers since "The Biggest Loser 1" in the 2004-05 season.

* On Wednesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order" locked up that series' highest 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast in the past year.

* On Thursday, "Parks and Recreation" built on its "My Name is Earl" lead-in by 5 percent in adults 18-49 and 39 percent in adults 18-34. Prior to the debut of "Parks," NBC had averaged a 12 percent fall-off in 18-49 in this time period with regular programming following an original "Earl." "Parks and Recreation" ranked #1 in the time period in adults and men 18-34, topping CBS's "Survivor," Fox's "Bones" and ABC's encore "Grey's Anatomy" in those demos.

* Also on Thursday, "Southland" ranked #1 in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 � topping CBS's "Harper's Island" and ABC's "Private Practice" in those demographics. "Southland" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and total viewers, beating "Harper's Island" in those key measures.

* Additionally on Thursday, "The Office" won its tough time period in men 18-49 and 18-34, topping ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "CSI" and Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" in those key demographics. In adults 18-49, "The Office" ranked #2 in its slot, topping "CSI" head-to-head for the third straight week.

* On Sunday, "Celebrity Apprentice" increased significantly from its first half-hour to its fourth, gaining 35 percent in 18-49 rating. This dramatic growth propelled "Apprentice" to a #1 finish in the Sunday 10-11 p.m. hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics.

* "Celebrity Apprentice" was up 35 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period this season prior to "Apprentice's" debut.

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 20-26:

On Monday, April 20 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.4 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating in seven weeks (since March 2) and matched its top score in 18-49 since its post-Super Bowl 3-D telecast on February 2. Among adults 18-34, "Chuck" delivered a 2.0/6, also its best rating in that demo since February 2.

From its first half-hour to its second, "Chuck" increased in all key demos growing 9 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.5 from a 2.3), 11 percent in adults 18-34 (2.1 vs. 1.9), 18 percent in men 18-49 (2.6 vs. 2.2) and 22 percent in men 18-34 (2.2 vs. 1.8). "Chuck" ranked #1 for the hour among men 18-34, topping Fox's "Bones," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and CBS's encore comedies in that demo. "Chuck" finished within 0.1 of a rating point of "Bones" in both adults 18-49 and 18-34.

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults and men 18-34 in its highly competitive hour. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 29 percent in 18-49 and 50 percent in adults 18-34 (3.0 vs. 2.0).

It is worth noting that "Heroes" ratings have increased by an average 23 percent in adults 18-49 when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" measures through the season's first five months, one of the biggest increases for any major-network primetime series. In total viewers, "Heroes" has been adding an average 21 percent or 1.7 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted.

Monday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Medium" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in its time period in adults 18-49 and numerous other key demographics, topping ABC's "Castle" and CBS's "Mentalist" encore. "Medium" retained 81 percent of its "Heroes" lead-in among adults 18-49 and 100 percent in adults 25-54.

On Tuesday, April 21 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall viewership for a regular-slot edition of the show since March 10 and delivered its second-highest 18-49 rating for a regular-slot episode since that same date.

"Biggest Loser" exhibited dramatic growth from its first to its fourth half-hour, lifting "Loser" to a first-place finish in 18-49 in the 9-10 p.m. hour over such competition as Fox's "Fringe," ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" results show and CBS's "Mentalist" encore. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 53 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.6/11 from a 3.0/9) and 35 percent or 2.8 million persons in total viewers (to 10.8 million from 8.0 million). "Loser" increased 0.4 to 0.6 of an 18-49 rating point in each successive half-hour. For its full two-hour time period, "Biggest Loser" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and other key measures, behind only "Idol"-boosted Fox.

"The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up versus its year-ago cycle by 8 percent in 18-49 (4.0 vs. 3.7, "most current") and 13 percent in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 8.9 million), while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 13 percent in 18-49 rating (to 10.0 from 11.5, "most current") and down 10 percent in total viewers (to 26.5 million from 29.4 million).

The current, seventh cycle of "The Biggest Loser" is the biggest "Loser" cycle in total viewers (10.1 million) since "The Biggest Loser 1" in the 2004-05 season.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) locked up its highest 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast since December 30, 2008. "SVU" ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34 and women 18-49, topping ABC's first-run "The Unusuals" and CBS's special "Mentalist" encore in those demos. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" encore ranked #2, finishing within 0.1 of a point of "Mentalist."

NBC ranked #2 on Tuesday night in adults 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, behind only "Idol"-boosted Fox.

On Wednesday, April 22 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in six weeks (since March 11) and delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot in eight weeks (since February 25). At 9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.5/3 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 rating, despite tough competition in the hour from Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Lost" and CBS's encore of "Criminal Minds." "SVU" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot in six weeks

Wednesday at 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) locked up that series' highest 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast in the past year (since April 16, 2008). From half-hour to half-hour, "Law & Order" increased 12 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.9 from a 1.7), 10 percent in adults 25-54 (to a 2.3 from a 2.1), 14 percent in men 18-49 (1.6 vs. 1.4) and 18 percent in men 25-54 (2.0 vs. 1.7).

On Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in its competitive time period in adults 18-34 (tied with CBS's "Survivor") and men 18-34, while finishing #2 among adults 18-49.

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "Parks and Recreation" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) built on its "Earl" lead-in by 5 percent in adults 18-49 and by 39 percent in adults 18-34 (2.5 vs. 1.8). Prior to the debut of "Parks & Recreation," NBC this season had averaged a 12 percent fall-off in 18-49 versus original "Earl" lead-ins with regular programming in this time period.

"Parks & Recreation" ranked #1 in its time slot in adults 18-34 and men 18-34, topping CBS's "Survivor," Fox's "Bones" and ABC's "Samantha Who" in those demos.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (3.8/10 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) won its highly competitive time period in men 18-49 and 18-34, topping ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS's "CSI" and Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" in those key demographics. In adults 18-49, "The Office" ranked #2 in its time period, topping "CSI" head-to-head for the third straight week.

Season-to-date, "The Office" is the #11-ranked primetime program in adults 18-49, despite airing in head-to-head competition with the #1 show on the CBS schedule ("CSI") and one of the two top shows on the ABC schedule ("Grey's Anatomy"). Among adults 18-34, "The Office" is primetime television's #3 show and #1 scripted series (averaging a 5.6/14 season-to-date in that demo), behind only the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol."

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34. "30 Rock" this week was up 15 percent in 18-49 rating versus its 2.7 18-49 average in this post-"Office" time period last season.

Thursday 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "Southland" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 � topping CBS's "Harper's Island" and ABC's "Private Practice," which ran as an original on this night for the first time since the "Southland" premiere. "Southland" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and total viewers, beating "Harper's Island" in those measures.

On Friday, April 24 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers overall. From 8:29-9 p.m., a second episode of "Howie Do It" delivered a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.0 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.3/4 in 18-49 and 4.8 million viewers overall.

On Saturday, April 25 from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: SVU" (0.7/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall) captured NBC's top 18-49 and total-viewer result in this time period in four weeks. From 9-10 p.m., an encore "Southland" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall. At 10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 33 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.2/4 from a 0.9/3) and 31 percent in adults 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.3).

On Sunday, April 26 from 7-9 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.0/3 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2 from a 1.0) and its overall viewership by 14 percent (to 5.5 million from 4.8 million).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) built strongly from its first half-hour to its fourth, gaining 35 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.5/10 from a 2.6/7) and 19 percent or 1.5 million persons in total viewers (to 9.1 million from 7.6 million). This growth propelled "Celebrity Apprentice" to #1 in the 10 p.m. hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics, topping ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and CBS's "The Unit." Versus its lead-in from the 8-9 p.m. hour, "Celebrity Apprentice" built by 181 percent in 18-49 rating and by 58 percent in total viewers.

"Celebrity Apprentice" was up 35 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period this season prior to "Apprentice's" debut (3.1 vs. 2.3, "live plus same day").