'THE OFFICE,' 'BIGGEST LOSER' AND 'HEROES' LEAD NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF FEB. 2-8

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' GAINS 33 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 39 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE SAME NIGHT LAST YEAR, WHEN IT ALSO FACED 'AMERICAN IDOL'

'LOSER' ADDS 65 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 46 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO RANK #1 IN ITS FINAL HALF-HOUR IN 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

ON MONDAY, A SPECIAL 3-D EPISODE OF 'CHUCK' SCORES THE SHOW'S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING AND OVERALL VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON, DELIVERING NBC'S TOP NON-OLYMPIC DEMO RESULT IN THE SLOT IN 11 MONTHS

'HEROES' RETURNS ON MONDAY TO ITS BEST NUMBERS SINCE OCTOBER, WINNING ITS TOUGH HOUR IN KEY MALE DEMOS AND FINISHING WITHIN ONE SHARE OF THE SLOT LEAD IN ADULTS 18-49

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' CAPTURES ITS TUESDAY HOUR IN ALL KEY DEMOS

ON WEDNESDAY, 'LAW & ORDER' LOCKS UP A TIME-PERIOD VICTORY IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'THE OFFICE' WINS ITS TOUGH THURSDAY SLOT IN ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS AND RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � February 10, 2009 � Paced by strong performances from "The Office," "The Biggest Loser and "Heroes," NBC averaged a 2.3 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers overall for the week of February 2-8, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Primetime averages for the week of February 2-8 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.0/11), CBS (3.2/9), ABC (2.8/8), NBC (2.3/6), Univision (1.6/4), CW (0.8/2) and Telemundo (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (11.5 million), Fox (10.8 million), ABC (7.8 million), NBC (6.9 million), Univision (4.2 million), CW (1.8 million) and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Through the first 20 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 49.1 and CBS's median age is 53.6. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.2 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49.

NBC highlights for the week of February 2-8:

* On Monday, "Chuck," "Heroes" and "Medium" returned to NBC's lineup to propel the network to its strongest Monday primetime performance in three months in both adults 18-49 and total viewers

* "Chuck" returned with a special 3-D episode that scored the show's best numbers of the season in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, and earned NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period in 11 months.

* "Heroes" on Monday delivered its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership since October 13, finishing within one share of the time period lead in adults 18-49 and winning its tough slot in men 18-49 and other key demos.

* Also on Monday, the fifth-season debut of "Medium" summoned NBC's highest 18-49 rating and largest total viewership in the time period since November 3, ascending 26 percent in 18-49 and 47 percent in total viewers versus NBC's season-to-date average for the slot ("live plus same day").

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser 7" surged by 33 percent in 18-49 rating and 39 percent or 2.9 million persons in total viewers versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a one-hour "American Idol." For the four weeks since "American Idol" has returned to the primetime schedule, "The Biggest Loser" is up 15 percent in 18-49 and 27 percent in total viewers versus the same weeks last year

* "The Biggest Loser" gained 65 percent in 18-49 rating and 46 percent or nearly 4.0 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. For its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" won its hour in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics, with a 37 percent margin of victory in adults 18-49 and a 50 percent margin in adults 18-34.

* On Wednesday, "Law & Order" apprehended a time-period win in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

* On Thursday, "The Office" won its tough Thursday 9 p.m. time period in all key adults-male demographics � men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54 � and ranked #2 in adults 18-49.

* On Sunday, the primetime portion of NBC Sports' coverage of The 2009 NFL Pro Bowl ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics.

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 February 2-8:

On Monday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. ET, a special 3-D episode of "Chuck" scored the show's highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership of the season, a 3.0 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.5 million viewers overall. Versus its "live plus same day" season-to-date average, "Chuck" was up 20 percent in 18-49 rating (3.0 vs. 2.5) and 25 percent or 1.7 million persons in total viewers (8.5 million vs. 6.7 million), despite formidable time-period competition from Fox's "House," CBS's "Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother" and ABC's "The Bachelor." In 18-49, this was NBC's highest rating in the time period in 11 months (since February 25, 2008).

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (4.0/9 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) returned to the NBC primetime lineup to deliver its highest 18-49 rating and biggest overall viewership since October 13. "Heroes" finished within one share of the time period lead in adults 18-49 and won its slot in men 18-49 and men 18-34, against such tough competition as ABC's "The Bachelor," CBS's Monday 9-10 p.m. comedies and Fox's "24." In head-to-head competition in the 9-10 p.m. hour, "Heroes" topped rival drama "24" in adults, men and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34.

"Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 33 percent in adults 18-49 and by 64 percent in adults 18-34 (to a 4.2 from a 2.6). It is worth noting that "Heroes" ratings this season have been increasing by an average 22 percent in adults 18-49 when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" measures.

At 10 p.m. ET, the fifth season debut of "Medium" (2.9/7 in 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) conjured NBC's highest 18-49 rating and largest total viewership in this time period since November 3. "Medium" ascended 26 percent in adults 18-49 (2.9 vs. 2.3) and 47 percent or 2.7 million persons in total viewers (8.6 million vs. 5.8 million) versus NBC's "live plus same day" season-to-date average for the time period. "Medium ranked #2 in adults, men and women 25-54 and men 18-49

NBC delivered its highest Monday primetime average in adults 18-49 (a 3.3) and total viewers (8.5 million) since November 3. NBC's 3.3 average for the night in adults 18-49 was up 22 percent versus the network's "live plus same day" season-to-date average for Monday night (3.3 vs. 2.7).

On Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 7" (4.0/10 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) surged by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (4.0 vs. 3.0) and 39 percent or 2.9 million persons in total viewers versus the same night last year (a 3.0/7 and 7.5 million viewers overall on February 5, 2008), when it also faced competition from a one-hour "American Idol."

For the four weeks since "American Idol" has returned to the primetime schedule, "The Biggest Loser" is up 15 percent in 18-49 (3.8 vs. 3.3, "live plus same day") and 27 percent in total viewers (10.1 million vs. 8.0 million) versus the same weeks last year, while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 15 percent in 18-49 and 11 percent in total viewers.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" gained 65 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 5.1/12 from a 3.1/8) and added 46 percent or nearly 4.0 million persons in total viewers (to 12.6 million from 8.7 million). For its final half-hour from 9:30-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #1 in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-female demos, versus Fox's "Fringe," ABC's "Scrubs" and CBS's "Mentalist" encore. "Loser" also won the full 9-10 p.m. hour in all key adult-female demos, despite the huge lead-in advantage the Fox drama "Fringe" received from its "Idol" lead-in.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 10.3 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" margin of victory was 37 percent (3.7 vs. a 2.7 for CBS's "Without a Trace" in second place). In adults 18-34, the margin was 50 percent (3.0 vs. a 2.0 for ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do").

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

On Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Knight Rider" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in men 18-34 and men 18-49, behind only "American Idol."

Wednesday at 9 p.m., "Life" (1.8/4 in 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 29 percent in 18-49 rating and by 35 percent in total viewers. "Life" attracted NBC's highest overall viewership in this slot in four weeks.

Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 8.6 million viewers overall) tracked down a time period win in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures, topping ABC's "Life on Mars" and CBS's encore "CSI: NY."

On Thursday, Feb. 5 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.5/7 in adults 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures and #1 in men 18-49. From 8:30-9 p.m., "Kath & Kim" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 4.8 million viewers overall) retained 84 percent of its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49, 95 percent of its lead-in among adults 18-34 and 100 percent in women 18-34.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.3/11 in 18-49, 8.5 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54 � topping ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" and CBS's "CSI" encore. "The Office" ranked #2 in its tough time period in adults 18-49, behind only "Grey's Anatomy."

"The Office" has been adding an average 20 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "The Office" has been adding an average 1.5 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted. Counting all time shifting, "The Office" is the most time-shifted program on the major networks, gaining 53 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.1/7 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) was up 15 percent in adults 18-49 versus its average in this post-"Office" time period last season (3.1 vs. 2.7).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and virtually all key demographics on a night that featured competition from a "Grey's Anatomy" crossover episode of "Private Practice" in the hour. From its first half-hour to its second, "ER" increased 4 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.7 from a 2.6) and 9 percent in total viewers (to 7.7 million from 7.0 million) while the ABC and CBS drama competition declined half-hour to half-hour in both measures.

On Friday, Feb. 6 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" delivered a 1.3/5 in 18-49 and 4.7 million viewers overall, up 18 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's average in the time period this season prior to "Howie's" January 9 debut (1.4 vs. 1.1). From 8:29-9 p.m. an encore telecast of "Howie Do It" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from the first-run "Howie" telecast.

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 4.2 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in men 18-34. 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.

This week, "Friday Night Lights" matched the 18-49 rating of its prior two weeks. In total viewers, "Lights" gained for the second week in a row, with a 4 percent gain versus the prior Friday (4.2 million vs. 4.0 million) and 6 percent growth versus two weeks earlier (4.2 million vs. 3.9 million).

Friday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.4/4 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased 7 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5/5 from a 1.4/4) and 9 percent in total viewers (to 5.2 million from 4.8 million) while the ABC and CBS competition was flat or down half-hour to half-hour in both categories

On Saturday, Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the "Law & Order (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) increased by 80 percent in 18-49 rating and 94 percent in total viewers versus its lead-in from the previous hour � a 0.5/2 in 18-49 and 1.9 million viewers overall for an encore telecast of "Heroes" from 8-9 p.m.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in adults, men and women 18-49 and other key demographics, excluding Fox's overrun coverage of NASCAR racing. "SVU" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 78 percent in 18-49 rating and 60 percent in total viewers.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the primetime portion of NBC Sports' coverage of The 2009 NFL Pro Bowl averaged a 3.6/11 in adults 18-49 and 10.7 million viewers overall from 7-8 p.m. ET, ranking #1 in the hour in adults 18-49 and 18-34, and in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54.

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" averaged a 1.6/4 in 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall. From 9-11 p.m. ET, "XIII, Part 1" averaged a 1.3/3 in 18-49 and 6.3 million viewers overall. From its first hour to its second, "XIII" increased among men 18-49 by 14 percent (to a 1.6 from a 1.4) and among men 18-34 by 29 percent (to a 0.9 from a 0.7). "XIII" concludes next Sunday from 9-11 p.m. on NBC.