NBC'S RECORD-BREAKING SUPER BOWL XLIII SUPERCHARGES THE NETWORK'S TOP-RATED WEEK OF JAN. 26-FEB. 1

NBC'S COVERAGE OF SUPER BOWL XLIII IS THE MOST-VIEWED U.S. TELECAST IN HISTORY WITH 151.6 MILLION WATCHING ALL OR SOME OF THE TELECAST; WITH AN AVERAGE 98.7 MILLION, IT'S THE MOST-WATCHED SUPER BOWL EVER

NBC'S AVERAGE 89.9 MILLION VIEWERS IN PRIMETIME SUNDAY NIGHT IS THE BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP FOR ANY NETWORK ON ANY NIGHT IN NIELSEN PEOPLE-METER HISTORY

SUNDAY'S POST-SUPER BOWL TELECAST OF 'THE OFFICE' SETS NEW SERIES RECORDS, MORE THAN DOUBLING THE SHOW'S PREVIOUS HIGHS

'THE OFFICE' DELIVERS THE HIGHEST 18-49 RATING AND BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP FOR ANY NBC ENTERTAINMENT SERIES SINCE MAY 2004

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' ATTRACTS THE LARGEST VIEWERSHIP FOR ANY EPISODE OF THE SERIES, EXCLUDING PREMIERES AND FINALES, IN MORE THAN FOUR YEARS, DESPITE COMPETITION FROM 'AMERICAN IDOL'

'LOSER' ADDS 65 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 49 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO RANK #1 IN ITS FINAL HOUR IN 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � February 3, 2009 � Paced by NBC Sports' telecast of Super Bowl XLIII, the most-watched Super Bowl ever and most-viewed telecast in U.S. television history, NBC won the week in all key measures, averaging a 7.8 rating, 20 share in adults 18-49 and 21.6 million viewers overall for the week of January 26-February 1, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC's telecast of Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday goes into the record books as the most-viewed U.S. television broadcast in history, with 151.6 million persons watching all or some of the telecast (at least six minutes).

In average viewership, it's the second most-watched television broadcast in history, with its audience of 98.7 million viewers overall for the game's full duration. That average 98.7 million for Super Bowl XLIII tops last year's Super Bowl XLII, previously the most-watched Super Bowl (97.5 million). The 1983 series finale of "M*A*S*H" averaged 106 million viewers and is the most-watched television broadcast in history based on average viewership, however the 151.6 million persons who watched all or some of Sunday's game top the estimated 122 million who watched all or some of that "M*A*S*H" finale.

Paced by coverage of Super Bowl XLIII, NBC averaged 89.9 million viewers in primetime Sunday from 7-11 p.m. ET. This marks the highest viewership for any network on any primetime night in people meter history. In adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 34.0 rating Sunday night from 7-11 p.m., marking NBC's best performance for any primetime night in more than 11 years (since Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, 35.5).

NBC averaged a 7.8/20 in adults 18-49 for the week, generating an 86 percent advantage over the second place network (Fox, 4.2). This marks NBC's highest weekly average in the demo since the week of August 11, 2008 (Beijing Olympics). Excluding Olympics, this was NBC's best weekly performance in adults 18-49 since the week of May 11-17, 1998.

NBC averaged 21.6 million viewers overall for the week, for a 91 percent advantage over second place (Fox, 11.3 million). This marks NBC's highest weekly average in total viewers since the week of August 18-24, 2008 (Beijing Olympics). Excluding Olympics, this is NBC's top weekly performance in adults 18-49 since the week of January 19-25, 1998.

Primetime averages for the week of January 26-February 1 in adults 18-49 were NBC (7.8/20), Fox (4.2/10), CBS (2.2/6), ABC (2.1/5), Univision (1.7/4), CW (0.6/1) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (21.6 million), Fox (11.3 million), CBS (9.5 million), ABC (5.8 million), Univision (4.2 million), CW (1.5 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Through the first 19 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 46.8 years, 1.7 years "older" than Fox (45.1 years). By comparison, ABC's median age is 49.3 and CBS's median age is 53.7. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.1 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49.

NBC highlights for the week of January 26-February 1:

* The top three telecasts of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, were NBC's telecast of Super Bowl XLIII (#1, 36.7/72), NBC's Super Bowl XLIII Post Game show (#2, 23.5/51) and the Sunday post-Super Bowl telecast of "The Office" (#3, 11.0/28).

* With Sunday's record-breaking telecast of Super Bowl XLIII, NBC now has aired two of the top three and three of the top five Super Bowl telecasts of all time. NBC's telecast of Super Bowl XXX (1996, 94.1 million) ranks third on the all-time list and the network's broadcast of Super Bowl XXVII (1991, 91.0 million) ranks fifth.

* On Sunday, the special one-hour telecast of "The Office," following Super Bowl XLIII, set new series records in all key measures, including adults 18-49 (11.0/28) and total viewers (22.9 million), more than doubling the show's previous highs in those and other measures. It also marked the highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership for any NBC entertainment telecast in more than four and a half years (since the May 13, 2004 telecast of "ER").

* An estimated 39.1 million persons watched all or part of Sunday's telecast of "The Office" (six minutes or more).

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" attracted its biggest overall viewership for any episode of the series, excluding premieres and finales, in more than four years, despite competition from "American Idol." "Loser" was up 24 percent in 18-49 rating and 33 percent in total viewers versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a one-hour "Idol".

* "The Biggest Loser" surged from its first half-hour to its fourth, gaining 65 percent in 18-49 and 49 percent or more than 4.4 million persons in total viewers. For its final hour from 9-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and in all key adult-female demographics, topping, among other programs, an original episode of Fox's "Fringe," despite the enormous boost the latter program received from its "Idol" lead-in.

* On Wednesday, "Knight Rider" raced to its best performance in 18-49 and total viewers since October, despite head-to-head competition from "American Idol." "Knight Rider" accelerated 27 percent in 18-49 and 26 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, and ranked #2 in its hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, trailing only "Idol."

* Also on Wednesday, "Law & Order" locked up a slot win in adults 18-49 and other key demos. For the second straight week, "Law & Order" generated week-to-week gains in its time slot in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

* On Thursday, an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered the best results for any "Office" rebroadcast since November 2007, while a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" scored that series' top results ever for an encore telecast.

* On Friday, "Howie Do It" posted a 36 percent improvement in adults 18-49 versus NBC's pre-"Howie" average in the slot. Also on Friday, "Dateline NBC" reported NBC's highest 18-49 rating in its slot in seven weeks.

* On Monday, "The Last Templar, Part 2" tracked down NBC's biggest overall viewership in the time period in nearly three months.

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 January 26-February 1:

On Monday, Jan. 26 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the "Superstars of Dance" finale averaged a 1.6 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49 and 6.8 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Superstars" increased by 29 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8 from a 1.4) and by 11 percent in total viewers (to 7.1 million from 6.5 million).

Monday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Last Templar, Part 2" (2.0/5 in adults 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) tracked down NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period in nearly three months (since November 3). In its final hour from 10-11 p.m., "The Last Templar" ranked #2 in total viewers, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 7" (4.1/10 in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall) was up 24 percent in 18-49 rating and 33 percent in total viewers versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a one-hour "American Idol." Despite the "Idol" competition, "Biggest Loser" attracted its biggest overall viewership for any episode of the series, excluding premieres and finales, in more than four years (since January 4, 2005) and its highest 18-49 rating for a non premiere/finale episode since January 8, 2008.

For the three weeks this season since "American Idol" returned to the Tuesday schedule, "Biggest Loser" is up 15 percent in 18-49 rating (3.8 vs. 3.3) and 23 percent in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 8.2 million) versus the same weeks last year.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" increased by 65 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 5.1/12 from a 3.1/8) and by 49 percent or more than 4.4 million persons in total viewers (to 13.4 million from 9.0 million). For its final hour from 9-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all key adult-female demographics, topping among other programs an original episode of Fox's "Fringe," despite the boost the latter program received from its "Idol" lead-in.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 7.1 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and 25-54 and #1 in women 18-34 and adults 18-34 (tied) versus original competition on both ABC and CBS.

NBC ranked #2 in primetime Tuesday in adults 18-49 and other key demos, behind only "Idol"-boosted Fox.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. ET, "Knight Rider" (1.9/4 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) raced to its best finish in adults 18-49 and total viewers since October 22, despite competition from "American Idol." "Knight Rider" accelerated 27 percent in 18-49 rating (1.9 vs. 1.5) and 26 percent in total viewers (6.2 million vs. 4.9 million) versus the prior week.

"Knight Rider" ranked #2 in the hour in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures, trailing only "American Idol."

Wednesday at 9 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.9/4 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) generated a week-to-week increase in this time period for the second week in a row. Versus the prior week's encore telecast, "SVU" was up 19 percent in 18-49 rating (1.9 vs. 1.6) and by 23 percent in total viewers (6.4 million vs. 5.2 million).

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) locked up a time period win in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key measures, topping ABC's time period premiere of "Life on Mars" and CBS's encore "CSI: NY." For the second straight week, "Law & Order" posted week-to-week gains in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

On Thursday, Jan. 29 from 8:30-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "My Name is Earl" (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 and tied for #2 in adults 18-49. From 8:30-9 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Kath & Kim" delivered a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 5.8 million viewers overall) delivered the best results for an "Office" rebroadcast in both adults 18-49 and total viewers since November 29, 2007. Versus its most recent encore telecast on January 8, this week's "Office" rebroadcast was up 40 percent in 18-49 (2.8/7 vs. 2.0/5) and 25 percent in total viewers (5.8 million vs. 4.7 million).

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (2.2/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) scored the show's top results ever for an encore telecast in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "ER" averaged a 1.7/5 in 18-49 and 4.5 million viewers overall. This was the top-rated "ER" rebroadcast in both adults 18-49 and total viewers since January 18, 2007.

On Friday, Jan. 30 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.1 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period in men 18-49 (tied). From 8:29-9 p.m., a second episode of "Howie Do It" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.4 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in men 18-49 and 25-54.

For the full 8-9 p.m. hour, "Howie Do It " improved on NBC's season averages in the time period prior to "Howie's" debut by 36 percent in 18-49 rating (1.5 vs. 1.1) and by 11 percent in total viewers (5.3 million vs. 4.7 million).

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 4.0 million viewers overall. Versus NBC's average in this time period prior to the return of "Lights," this week's telecast was up 17 percent in 18-49 rating (1.4 vs. 1.2). Note that last season, "Friday Night Lights" "live plus same day" rating increased by an average of 19 percent in 18-49 when Nielsen issued "live plus seven day" results. The current third season of "Friday Night Lights" has previously run on DirecTV.

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.2 million viewers overall) reported the network's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in seven weeks (since December 12) and the NBC's biggest overall viewership in the slot in six weeks (since December 19). "Dateline" generated a week-to-week gain in the time period in adults 18-49 for the fourth consecutive week and tied for #1 in the time period in adults 25-54. In the 10:30 lead-in to local news, "Dateline" was #1 among adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.

On Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. ET, "Crusoe" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest total viewership since moving to Saturday on December 6.

Saturday from 9-11 p.m., an encore telecast of the "Saturday Night Live: Sports Extra (1.6/5 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top non-sports 18-49 rating in this time period since December 13. From its first hour to its second, the "SNL" special increased by 31 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.7 from a 1.3). For its second hour from 10-11 p.m., the special was #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 among adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

On Sunday, Feb. 1, NBC Sports' coverage of Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals averaged a 36.7/72 in adults 18-49, 98.7 million viewers overall and a 42.0/64 household rating/share for its full duration from 6:32-10:16 p.m. ET. NBC's Super Bowl XLIII Post Game show from 10:16-10:40 p.m. averaged a 23.5/51 in adults 18-49, 57.4 million viewers overall and a 25.7/42 household rating/share.

Sunday from 10:40-11:40 p.m. ET, "The Office" (11.0/28 in adults 18-49, 22.9 million viewers overall) set new series records in all key measures, more than doubling the show's prior "live plus same day" record numbers (a 5.1 rating in adults 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall).

Sunday's telecast of "The Office" also marks the highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership for any NBC entertainment telecast in more than four and a half years (since the May 13, 2004 telecast of "ER").

In adults 18-34, "The Office" delivered a 12.9/34 rating last night, making it the top-rated entertainment telecast of the season in that valuable demographic. In adults 18-49, Sunday's telecast of "The Office" is the #3 entertainment telecast of the season on any network, behind only the Tuesday and Wednesday season premieres of "American Idol."

In primetime Sunday (7-11 p.m.), NBC averaged a 34.0/68 in adults 18-49, 89.9 million viewers overall and a 38.5/59 household rating/share.