NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND #1 IN ADULTS 25-54 FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 16-22

NBC ALSO IS #2 IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND ADULTS 18-34

NBC HAS THREE OF THE TOP FOUR PROGRAMS OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND THE TOP THREE TELECASTS OF THE WEEK IN TOTAL VIEWERS

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' VIKINGS-49ERS GAME IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

NBC'S TWO EDITIONS OF 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' ARE THE #2 AND #3 PROGRAMS OF THE WEEK IN TOTAL VIEWERS, WHILE RANKING #3 AND #4 AMONG ALL PROGRAMS IN ADULTS 18-49

'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' VIKINGS-49ERS GAME IS THE MOST-WATCHED NFL PRESEASON WEEK 2 GAME IN OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN EIGHT YEARS

WEDNESDAY'S 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE NIGHT IN TOTAL VIEWERS, WINNING ITS SLOT IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

ON TUESDAY, 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT,' THE TOP SHOW OF THE NIGHT IN TOTAL VIEWERS, WINS ITS TWO-HOUR TIME PERIOD IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER MEASURES

TUESDAY'S 'MINUTE TO WIN IT' ENCORE SCORES NBC'S BEST SLOT RESULTS IN 10 WEEKS IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

WEDNESDAY'S 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' LOCKS UP A TIME-SLOT WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOGRAPHICS

'DATELINE NBC' REPORTS ITS HIGHEST SUNDAY 18-49 RATING SINCE MAY

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - August 24, 2010 - Paced by the "NBC Sunday Night Football" preseason game between the Vikings and the 49ers, and the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "America's Got Talent," which all ranked among the top programs of the week, NBC finished #2 for the week in adults 18-49 and total viewers, averaging a 1.6 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall for the week of August 16-22, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. For the week, NBC also ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-34 and was #1 in adults 25-54.

NBC had three of the top four programs of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49: the "NBC Sunday Night Football" preseason matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers ranked #1 among all telecasts, the Tuesday edition of "America's Got Talent" ranked #3 and the Wednesday "America's Got Talent" ranked #4.

In total viewers, NBC aired the top three programs of the week: "NBC Sunday Night Football," with an average 10.8 million viewers, ranked #1; Wednesday's "America's Got Talent," with 10.3 million viewers, ranked #2; and the Tuesday edition of "America's Got Talent," with 10. 2 million viewers, ranked #3. An edition of "America's Got Talent" has now been the #1 non-sports telecast in total viewers for 11 out of the last 12 weeks.

Primetime averages for the week of August 16-22 in adults 18-49 were Fox (1.7/6), NBC (1.6/5), ABC (1.5/5), CBS (1.4/5) and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (6.1 million), NBC (5.7 million), ABC (5.0 million), Fox (4.6 million) and CW (1.1 million).

NBC highlights for the week of August 16-22

* On Tuesday, "America's Goat Talent" was the #1 telecast of the night in total viewers. The Tuesday "Talent" matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks.

* Tuesday's "America's Got Talent" dominated its two-hour time period in all key ratings categories, including adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. For its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" was a potent #1 among the major networks, matching or topping the combined ABC-CBS results in all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.

* Also on Tuesday, an encore telecast of "Minute to Win It" scored NBC's top 18-49 and total-viewer result in this time period in 10 weeks. The "Minute" encore ranked #2 among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-49 ahead of rebroadcasts of "Glee" and "NCIS" and behind only a first-run "Wipeout."

* NBC ranked #1 among the major networks Tuesday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key ratings categories.

* On Wednesday, "America's Got Talent" scored the #1 results of the night in total viewers and tied as the #1 telecast of the night in 18-49 rating.

* The Wednesday "America's Got Talent" won its time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers.

* Also on Wednesday, "Minute to Win It" grew from its first half-hour to its second by 29 percent in 18-49 rating and 26 percent or more than 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.3 million from 5.0 million), the biggest increases among the major networks in the hour.

* Additionally on Wednesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and other key demographics. In adults 18-49, "Law & Order: SVU" has now ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 in this time period with its last 11 consecutive telecasts.

* NBC ranked #1 on Wednesday night in adults 25-54 and total viewers and ranked #2 for the night in adults 18-49 (with a 1.9 rating from 8-11 p.m. ET vs. a 2.1 for Fox from 8-10 p.m. ET). In head-to-head competition from 8-10 p.m., NBC and Fox tied in adults 18-49 (each with a 2.1).

* On Thursday, an 8:30 p.m. ET rebroadcast of "30 Rock" matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since May 20 and attracted the show's biggest overall audience in four weeks.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" reported its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership for a Friday edition in three weeks. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased its 18-49 rating by 44 percent and its overall viewership by 35 percent or more than 1.3 million persons.

* On Sunday, NBC Sports' coverage of the Minnesota Vikings-San Francisco 49ers preseason game paced NBC to a primetime win in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. NBC outscored its closest primetime competitor in adults 18-49 by a 67 percent margin. It was the top-rated Sunday for any network in 18-49 and total viewers since August 8, the night of NBC's coverage of the Cowboys-Bengals NFL Hall of Fame Game and second highest Sunday for any network since June 13, the night of ABC's coverage of Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

* Sunday's Vikings-49ers game was the most-watched NFL preseason Week 2 game in total viewers in eight years (since 2002) and the highest-rated Week 2 preseason game in adults 18-49 in seven years (since 2003).

* Also on Sunday, "Dateline NBC" headlined its highest adult 18-49 rating for a Sunday edition since May 23.

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 August 16-22:

On Monday, August 16 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" averaged a 1.2 rating, 3 share in adults 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall.

Monday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.4/4 in adults 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 25-54.

On Tuesday, August 17 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Minute to Win It" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top 18-49 and total-viewer result in this time period in 10 weeks (since June 8). From its first half-hour to its second, "Minute" grew by 21 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.7/6 from a 1.4/5) and 23 percent or more than 1.1 million persons in total viewers (to 5.9 million from 4.7 million) in a time period that included competition from ABC's "Wipeout," Fox's "Glee" rebroadcast and CBS's "NCIS" encore.

In the time period, the "Minute to Win It" encore ranked #2 among the major networks in adults, men and women 18-49 ahead of the rebroadcasts of "Glee" and "NCIS."

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (2.9/8 in 18-49, 10.2 million viewers overall) was the #1 telecast of the night in total viewers. The Tuesday "Talent" matched its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks (since July 20).

"America's Got Talent" dominated its two-hour time period in all key ratings categories, including adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and total viewers. For its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" was a potent #1 among the major networks, matching or topping the combined ABC-CBS results in all key ratings categories - adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.

NBC ranked #1 in primetime Tuesday night in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key ratings categories.

On Wednesday, August 18 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Minute to Win It" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the major networks in total viewers.

From its first half-hour to its second, "Minute to Win It" grew by 29 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8/6 from a 1.4/5) and 26 percent or more than 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.3 million from 5.0 million), the biggest increases among the major networks in the hour.

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall) scored the #1 results of the night in total viewers and tied as the #1 telecast of the night in 18-49 rating.

"America's Got Talent" won its time period in adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; and total viewers.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.4/4 in adults 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and other key demographics. In adults 18-49, "Law & Order: SVU" has now ranked #1 or tied for #1 in adults 18-49 in this time period with its last 11 consecutive telecasts. In the 10:30 p.m. lead-in to local news, "SVU" locked up a 20 percent margin in the key news demo of adults 25-54 (1.8 vs. a 1.5 for CBS's "CSI: NY" rebroadcast in second place), up from a tie for #1 in the prior half-hour. "SVU" was #1 in every other key demo in the 10:30 half-hour (including a #1 tie in women 18-34).

NBC ranked #1 on Wednesday night in adults 25-54 and total viewers and ranked #2 for the night in adults 18-49 (with a 1.9 rating from 8-11 p.m. ET vs. a 2.1 for Fox from 8-10 p.m. ET). In head-to-head competition from 8-10 p.m., NBC and Fox tied in adults 18-49 (each with a 2.1).

On Thursday, August 19 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Community" averaged a 0.8/3 in adults 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall.

Thursday from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in 13 weeks (since May 20, during the May sweep) and attracted the slot's biggest overall audience in four weeks (since July 22). "30 Rock" built on its lead-in by 25 percent in adults 18-49 and by 43 percent in adults 18-34 (1.0 vs. 0.7).

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "The Office" averaged a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 2.7 million viewers overall. "The Office" built on its lead-in by 10 percent in both adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 (1.1 vs. 1.0).

Thursday from 9:31-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Parks and Recreation" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.3 million viewers overall) retained 91 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "The Office."

Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) matched the show's highest 18-49 rating in four weeks (since July 22). Week to week, the Thursday "SVU" rebroadcast grew 19 percent in total viewers (3.8 million vs. 3.2 million). From its first half-hour to its second, "SVU" built by 20 percent in 18-49 rating (1.2 vs. 1.0) and by 24 percent in total viewers (4.2 million vs. 3.4 million).

On Friday, August 20 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Who Do You Think You Are" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.5 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 4.5 million viewers overall) reported its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership for a Friday edition in three weeks. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased its 18-49 rating by 44 percent (to a 1.3/4 from a 0.9/3) and its overall viewership by 35 percent or more than 1.3 million persons (to 5.1 million from 3.8 million).

On Saturday, August 21 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Persons Unknown" averaged a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and 1.3 million viewers overall. From 9-10 p.m., "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" delivered a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and 72 percent or more than 1.4 million persons in total viewers. .

On Sunday August 22, from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) reported its top Sunday rating in 18-49 since May 23 and its biggest overall audience for a Sunday edition since July 11. In the time period, "Dateline" tied for #2 among the major networks in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, tied for #1 in women 18-49 and was #1 outright in women 25-54. From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased its 18-49 rating by 27 percent (to a 1.4 from a 1.1) and its overall viewership by 11 percent (5.1 million vs. 4.6 million).

Sunday from 8:08-11:06 p.m. ET, NBC Sports' coverage of the Minnesota Vikings-San Francisco 49ers "Sunday Night Football" preseason game averaged a 3.6/10 in 18-49, 10.8 million viewers overall and a 6.7/12 household rating/share.

This marks the highest 18-49 rating for an NFL preseason Week 2 game on any network in seven years, since ABC's Monday, Aug. 18, 2003 Buccaneers-Rams telecast (3.9/12). In total viewers, it's the top-scoring Week 2 preseason game in eight years, since ABC's 49ers-Broncos matchup on Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 (11.3 million viewers). In household rating, it's the top Week 2 telecast since the 2003 Buccaneers-Rams game (7.4/13).

Sunday's game was the #1 telecast of the night in 18-49 and total viewers and dominated its time period.

NBC won Sunday night in adults 18-49, topping its closet primetime competitor among the major networks by 67 percent (a 3.0 in 18-49 for NBC from 7-11 p.m. ET vs. a 1.8 for Fox from 7-10 p.m.). In total viewers, NBC topped its nearest primetime rival by 36 percent or more than 2.4 million persons (9.1 million vs. 6.6 million for CBS). NBC also ranked #1 on Sunday night in adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and all key adult-male demographics - men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 - as well as women 18-49 and women 25-54 (tie).

NBC scored the highest Sunday averages for any network in 18-49 and total viewers since August 8, the night of NBC's coverage of the Cowboys-Bengals NFL Hall of Fame Game, and second highest Sunday for any network since June 13, the night of ABC's coverage of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. In household rating, it's the highest Sunday average for any network since June 13.

Also on Sunday from 8-8:08 p.m. ET, "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 2.5/8 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall and a 5.3/10 in households.