'HEROES,' 'BIGGEST LOSER' AND 'SVU' LEAD NBC'S PRIMETIME WEEK OF FEB. 16-22

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' SCORES NBC'S TOP 18-49 RATING EVER, EXCLUDING OLYMPICS, VERSUS A REGULAR TWO-HOUR EDITION OF 'AMERICAN IDOL'

IN THE SIX WEEKS SINCE 'IDOL' HAS RETURNED TO THE TUESDAY SCHEDULE, 'BIGGEST LOSER' IS UP 19 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 24 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS VERSUS THE SAME WEEKS LAST YEAR

'LAW & ORDER: SVU' ON TUESDAY LOCKS UP A TIME PERIOD WIN IN ALL KEY DEMOGRAPHICS � ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49 AND 25-54

ON THURSDAY, 'MY NAME IS EARL' ATTRACTS ITS BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, AND AN ENCORE TELECAST OF 'THE OFFICE' DELIVERS THAT SHOW'S HIGHEST VIEWERSHIP FOR A REBROADCAST SINCE NOVEMBER 2007

'FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS' AND 'DATELINE ' SHOW WEEK-TO-WEEK GROWTH ON FRIDAY, WITH 'LIGHTS' GAINING 18 PERCENT AND 'DATELINE' ADDING 45 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49 VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � February 24, 2009 � Led by strong performances from "Heroes," "The Biggest Loser" and "Law & Order: SVU," NBC averaged a 2.1 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers overall for the week of February 16-22, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Primetime averages for the week of February 16-22 in adults 18-49 were Fox (4.3/11), ABC (3.8/10), CBS (2.5/7), NBC (2.1/6), Univision (1.7/5), Telemundo and CW (0.5/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were Fox (11.8 million), ABC (11.1 million), CBS (10.2 million), NBC (6.2 million), Univision (4.3 million), CW and Telemundo (1.2 million).

Through the first 22 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 47.0 years, 2.0 years "older" than Fox (45.0 years). By comparison, ABC's median age is 48.9 and CBS's median age is 53.8. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.4 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49.

NBC highlights for the week of February 16-22:

* On Monday, "Heroes" won its highly competitive time slot in men 18-49 and men 18-34.

* Also on Monday, "Medium" increased 8 percent in 18-49 and 14 percent in total viewers versus the prior week. "Medium" ranked #1 in its time period in adults 25-54 and #2 in adults 18-49.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser 7" scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating ever versus a two-hour regular edition of "American Idol," excluding Olympics.

* "The Biggest Loser" gained 9 percent in 18-49 and 10 percent in total viewers versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a two-hour "American Idol." For the six weeks since "American Idol" has returned to compete on the Tuesday primetime schedule, "The Biggest Loser" is up 19 percent in 18-49 and 24 percent in total viewers versus the same weeks last year, while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 17 percent in 18-49 and 12 percent in total viewers.

* "The Biggest Loser" added 32 percent in 18-49 rating and 22 percent in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. For its final hour from 9-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos, behind only Fox's "Idol" and topping CBS's "The Mentalist" and ABC's "Scrubs" encores.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" locked up a time period win in all key demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

* On Wednesday, NBC's primetime lineup of "Knight Rider," "Life" and "Law & Order" all posted gains in 18-49 rating versus the prior week, with "Knight Rider" and "Life" each growing 15 percent in 18-49 week-to-week.

* On Thursday, "My Name is Earl" attracted its biggest overall viewership since last November, and an encore telecast of "The Office" delivered that series' biggest overall audience for a rebroadcast since November 2007.

* On Friday, "Friday Night Lights" increased 18 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week.

* Also on Friday, "Dateline" reported a 45 percent increase in adults 18-49 and a 23 percent gain in total viewers versus the prior week. "Dateline" ranked #1 in its slot in adults 18-34, increasing 44 percent week-to-week in that elusive demo.

* On Sunday, NBC's primetime counter-programming to ABC's Academy Awards coverage grew steadily throughout the night, gaining 109 percent in 18-49 rating and 57 percent, or more than 2.6 million persons in total viewers from the first to the final half-hour of primetime.

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 16-22:

On Monday, Feb. 16 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 2.3 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.8 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Chuck" increased 5 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.3 from a 2.2), 9 percent in men 18-49 (to a 2.4 from a 2.2) and 27 percent in men 18-34 (to a 1.9 from a 1.5).

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.6/8 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its highly competitive slot in men 18-49 and men 18-34. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 57 percent in adults 18-49 and by 125 percent in adults 18-34 (3.6 vs. 1.6). It is worth noting that "Heroes" ratings through the season's first four months 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. In total viewers, "Heroes" has been adding an average 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" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 9.0 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults 25-54. Versus the prior week, "Medium" increased by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (2.8 vs. 2.6) and by 14 percent, or more than 1.0 million persons, in total viewers (9.0 million vs. 7.9 million). Versus NBC's "live plus same day" averages in the time period prior to its February 2 debut, "Medium" this week was up 22 percent in adults 18-49 (2.8 vs. 2.3) and 54 percent or more than 3.1 million persons in total viewers (9.0 million vs. 5.8 million).

On Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser 7" (3.6/9 in 18-49, 8.9 million viewers overall) scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating ever against a regular two-hour edition of "American Idol" (excluding Olympics). Versus the last time "Loser" faced a two-hour "Idol" (January 13), this week's "Loser" was up 9 percent in 18-49 (3.6 vs. 3.3). And, despite "Idol" expanding to two hours this week, "Loser" finished within one tenth of an 18-49 rating point of its prior week's result (3.6 vs. 3.7).

"The Biggest Loser" this week was up 9 percent in 18-49 rating (3.6 vs. 3.3) and 10 percent in total viewers (8.9 million vs. 8.1 million) versus the same night last year, when it also faced competition from a two-hour "American Idol."

For the six weeks since "American Idol" has returned to the primetime schedule, "The Biggest Loser" is up 19 percent in 18-49 (3.8 vs. 3.2, "live plus same day") and 24 percent in total viewers (9.8 million vs. 7.9 million) versus the same weeks last year, while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 17 percent in 18-49 and 12 percent in total viewers.

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" gained 32 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.1/10 from a 3.1/8) and 22 percent or more than 1.7 million persons in total viewers (to 9.8 million from 8.1 million). For its second hour from 9-10 p.m., "Loser" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demos, behind only "American Idol" and ahead of CBS's "The Mentalist" and ABC's "Scrubs" encores.

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 9.5 million viewers overall) won its time period in all key adult demographics � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" margin of victory was 31 percent (3.4 vs. a 2.6 for CBS's "Without a Trace" in second place) and in adults 18-34, "SVU" prevailed by 71 percent (2.9 vs. a 1.7 for ABC's "Primetime: What Would You Do").

On Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Knight Rider" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall) accelerated 15 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.5/4 vs. 1.3/3).

Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Life" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) increased 15 percent in 18-49 rating and 10 percent in total viewers versus the prior week (a 1.3/3 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers on February 11).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 40 percent in 18-49 rating and 43 percent in total viewers to rank #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

On Thursday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (2.6/8 in adults 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest overall audience since November 13 and matched its highest 18-49 rating since January 22. "Earl" ranked #1 in the time slot in men 18-34 and #2 in adults 18-34 and men 18-49.

From 8:30-9 p.m., "Kath & Kim" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) retained 85 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Earl." In adults 18-34, "Kath & Kim" retained 91 percent of its lead-in (2.0 vs. 2.2) and in women 18-34, "Kath & Kim" retained 96 percent (2.3 vs. 2.4).

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 5.9 million viewers overall) delivered that series' biggest overall audience for a rebroadcast since November 29, 2007. Despite facing first-run competition on ABC, CBS and Fox in one of the most intensely competitive time periods of the week, "The Office" encore ranked #2 in adults and men 18-34.

Through the season's first 19 weeks, "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, an encore telecast of "30 Rock" (2.1/5 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) delivered the second-highest 18-49 and total-viewer results ever for a "30 Rock" rebroadcast, behind only the ratings for the January 29 rebroadcast (2.2/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall).

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (2.7/7 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) delivered its top results in 18-49 and total viewers since January 22. "ER" ranked #2 in the hour in adults and women 18-49 and adults, men and women 18-34.

On Friday, Feb. 20 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" delivered a 1.1/4 in 18-49 and 4.1 million viewers overall. From 8:29-9 p.m., an encore telecast of "Howie Do It" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 9 percent in 18-49 rating.

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 18 percent in 18-49 rating (1.3/4 vs. 1.1/3) and 13 percent in total viewers (3.9 million vs. 3.5 million). It is worth noting that, so far this season "Friday Night Lights" 18-49 rating has been increasing by an average of 21 percent when going from "live plus same day" to "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" (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) reported a 45 percent increase in 18-49 and 23 percent gain in total viewers versus the prior week's "Dateline" telecast in this slot (a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 4.6 million). From its first half-hour to its second, "Dateline" increased 29 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.8/5 from a 1.4/4) and 26 percent or more than 1.2 million persons in total viewers (to 6.2 million from 5.0 million).

"Dateline" ranked #1 in the hour among the broadcast networks in adults 18-34, increasing 44 percent in that demo versus the prior week (1.3 vs. 0.9).

On Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (0.8/2 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's top 18-49 rating in the slot since the NFL Wild Card telecast on January 3.

Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.2/4 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and by 33 percent in total viewers.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) scored the show's highest 18-49 rating so far this season for a Saturday rebroadcast.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, from 7-9 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its fourth by 36 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 1.5 from a 1.1).

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "100 Most Outrageous Home Videos of All Time" averaged a 2.0/5 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall. Versus the Academy Awards telecast on ABC, the NBC special increased from its first half-hour to its fourth by 44 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3/7 from a 1.6/4) and by 48 percent, or more than 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 7.3 million from 4.9 million).

NBC's Sunday primetime built steadily throughout the night versus ABC's primetime Academy Awards programming, increasing by 109 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.3/7 from a 1.1/3) and by 57 percent, or more than 2.6 million persons, in total viewers (to 7.3 million from 4.7 million) from the first to the final half-hour of primetime.