'ER' FINAL EPISODE IS THE #1 SCRIPTED PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS

ON THURSDAY, 'ER' TAKES ITS FINAL BOW WITH THE BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP FOR ANY DRAMA SERIES FINALE IN 13 YEARS

ON TUESDAY, 'THE BIGGEST LOSER' GAINS A HEFTY 48 PERCENT IN 18-49 AND 33 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TO RANK #1 IN ITS FINAL HALF-HOUR IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES

'LOSER' IS UP 17 PERCENT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND 18 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

TUESDAY'S 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' WINS ITS HOUR IN KEY DEMOS, LOCKING UP A 21 PERCENT MARGIN OF VICTORY IN 18-49 AND A 72 PERCENT LEAD IN 18-34 VERSUS ITS CLOSEST COMPETITORS

ON WEDNESDAY, 'LIFE' TRACKS DOWN ITS BIGGEST OVERALL VIEWERSHIP IN TWO MONTHS, UP 29 PERCENT VERSUS THE PRIOR WEEK, DESPITE TOUGH COMPETITION FROM 'IDOL' AND 'LOST'

ON MONDAY, 'HEROES' AND 'MEDIUM' POST WEEK-TO-WEEK GAINS IN ADULTS 18-49

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � April 7, 2009 � Paced by the final episode of "ER," which after 15 seasons took its final bow as the #1 scripted series of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 2.4 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 6.9 million viewers overall for the week of March 30-April 5, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

The two-hour series finale of "ER" on Thursday was the #1 scripted television program of the week in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, ranking #3 among all primetime programs behind only the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "American Idol." "ER" also achieved this distinction � ranking #1 among scripted programs for the week and #3 overall � in all key adult-female demographics: women 18-34, women 18-49 and women 25-54. In total viewers, "ER" ranked #6 among all primetime programs this week.

With a 6.0 rating, 16 share in adults 18-49 and an average 16.4 million viewers for its final two-hour telecast on Thursday, "ER" delivered the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale on the broadcast networks in nearly seven years (since "The X-Files") and the biggest overall audience for any drama series finale in 13 years ("Murder, She Wrote").

Primetime averages for the week of March 30-April 5 in adults 18-49 were Fox (3.6/10), CBS (3.4/10), NBC (2.4/7), ABC (2.1/6), Univision (1.7/5), CW (1.0/3) and Telemundo (0.6/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (12.5 million), Fox (9.7 million), ABC (7.2 million), NBC (6.9 million), Univision (4.2 million), CW (2.1 million) and Telemundo (1.3 million).

Through the first 28 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 47.2 years (versus 47.9 years at this point last season), 2.3 years "older" than Fox (44.9 years). By comparison, ABC's median age this season is 49.2 and CBS's median age is 53.8.

Season to date, NBC is running within 0.7 of a rating point of first place in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, versus a deficit of 1.3 points at this time last season.

NBC highlights for the week of March 30-April 5:

* On Sunday, "Celebrity Apprentice" delivered significant growth from its first half-hour to its fourth, gaining 43 percent in 18-49 and 34 percent or 2.1 million persons in total viewers on a night that included special competition from CBS's "Academy of Country Music Awards." The other major networks all declined in both categories between the 9-9:30 half-hour and the 10:30-11 p.m. half-hour.

* "Celebrity Apprentice" this week was up 22 percent in adult 18-49 rating versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period this season prior to the "Apprentice" debut.

* On Thursday, the series finale of "ER" scored the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale since "The X-Files" in 2002, and in total viewers, "ER" assembled the biggest overall audience for a drama finale since "Murder, She Wrote" in 1996.

* "ER" dominated its two-hour time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. In adults 18-49, "ER" generated a 94 percent margin of victory over second place and in its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m., "ER" beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in all key ratings categories � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.

* On Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" surged 48 percent in 18-49 rating and 33 percent or more than 2.5 million persons in total viewers from its first half-hour to its fourth. With growth of 0.4 of an 18-49 rating point or more in each successive half-hour, "Loser" seized the lead in adults 18-49 in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour, beating Fox's debut of "The Osbournes: Reloaded," CBS's "The Mentalist" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" results show.

* "The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up 17 percent in adults 18-49 and 18 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.

* Also on Tuesday, "Law & Order: SVU" won its slot in adults 18-49 and other key demos. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" margin of victory was 21 percent over CBS's "Without a Trace" and 48 percent over ABC's premiere of "Cupid." In adults 18-34, "SVU" topped "Cupid" by 72 percent and beat "Trace" by 106 percent. It is worth noting that an "SVU" original has not lost this hour to regular competition in adults 18-49 in more than four years

* On Wednesday, "Life" tracked down its biggest overall audience since February 4, posting a week-to-week gain of 29 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers. "Life" built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers, despite facing intense competition in the hour from Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's "Lost," among other programs.

* On Monday, "Heroes" and "Medium" exhibited week-to-week gains, with "Heroes" growing 7 percent and "Medium" gaining 14 percent in the key demographic of adults 18-49 versus their prior week's results.

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 March 30-April 5:

On Monday, March 30 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" averaged a 2.1 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its second, "Chuck" increased by 10 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 2.2 from a 2.0).

Monday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.1/7 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) increased week-to-week by 7 percent in 18-49 rating (3.1 vs. 2.9). "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 48 percent in adults 18-49 and by 81 percent in adults 18-34 (to a 2.9/7 from a 1.6/5). 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) increased versus the prior week by 14 percent in adults 18-49 (2.5 vs. 2.2) and by 10 percent in total viewers (7.3 million vs. 6.6 million), to rank #2 in the hour in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos. "Medium" summoned its biggest overall audience since February 23 and matched its highest 18-49 rating since that same date.

On Tuesday, March 31 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser: Couples" (3.5/9 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) increased 9 percent in 18-49 (3.5 vs. 3.2) and 10 percent in total viewers (8.8 million vs. 8.0 million) versus its most recent telecast in this time period on March 17 ("Biggest Loser" on March 24 aired from 9-11 p.m., ET).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 48 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 4.3/11 from a 2.9/8) and 33 percent or more than 2.5 million persons in total viewers (to 10.3 million from 7.7 million). With growth of 0.4 of an 18-49 rating point or more in each successive half-hour, "Biggest Loser: Couples" seized the lead in adults 18-49 in the 9:30-10 p.m. half-hour, beating Fox's debut of "The Osbournes: Reloaded," CBS's "The Mentalist" and ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" results show. For the full 9-10 p.m. hour, "Loser" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and other key demos, ahead of "The Mentalist" and "Dancing," behind only "Idol"-fueled Fox.

"The Biggest Loser: Couples" is up versus its year-ago cycle by 17 percent in 18-49 (4.1 vs. 3.5, "most current") and 18 percent in total viewers (10.2 million vs. 8.6 million), while the Tuesday edition of "Idol" is down 14 percent in 18-49 (10.2 vs. 11.8, "most current") and down 10 percent in total viewers (26.8 million vs. 30.0 million).

The current, seventh cycle of "The Biggest Loser" is the biggest "Loser" cycle in total viewers (10.2 million) since "The Biggest Loser 1" in the 2004-05 season. Among adults 18-49, the current cycle (averaging a 4.1/10) is currently tied with "Biggest Loser 2" as the highest-rated cycle since "The Biggest Loser 1."

Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults, men and women 18-49 and other key demos. In adults 18-49, the "SVU" margin of victory was 21 percent over CBS's "Without a Trace" (3.4 vs. a 2.8) and 48 percent over ABC's premiere of "Cupid" (3.4 vs. 2.3). In adults 18-34, "SVU" topped "Cupid" by 72 percent (3.1 vs. 1.8) and beat "Trace" by 106 percent (3.1 vs. 1.5). It is worth noting that an "SVU" original has not lost this hour to regular competition in adults 18-49 in more than four years.

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

On Wednesday, April 1 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged a1.2/4 in 18-49 and 5.0 million viewers overall.

Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Life" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) tracked down its biggest overall audience since February 4, posting a week-to-week gain of 29 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (5.7 million vs. 4.4 million). "Life" built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers, despite intense competition in the hour from Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's "Lost," among other programs.

It is worth noting that "Life" has added an average 23 percent in adults 18-49 over the season's first five months when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results, one of the biggest increases for any show on the major networks.

Wednesday at 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) locked up its biggest overall audience for a rebroadcast in a year (since April 2, 2008) and matched its highest 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast since April 16, 2008. From its first half-hour to its second, "Law & Order" increased by 13 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.6) and 6 percent in total viewers (6.5 million vs. 6.1 million), while the ABC-CBS drama competition declined half-hour to half-hour in both categories.

On Thursday, April 2 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "ER Retrospective" (3.5/10 in 18-49, 10.6 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's top non-sports 18-49 rating in the time period since January 3, 2008 and biggest non-sports total viewership in the slot since March 27, 2008. The retrospective finished within 0.1 of a rating point of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 in adults 18-34, women 18-34, women 18-49 and women 25-54.

Thursday from 9-11 p.m. ET, the series finale of "ER" (6.0/16 in adults 18-49, 16.4 million viewers overall) scored the highest 18-49 rating for a drama series finale since "The X-Files" wrapped with a 6.3 on May 19, 2002. In total viewers, "ER," with an average 16.4 million viewers, assembled the biggest overall audience for a drama finale since "Murder, She Wrote" concluded with 16.5 million on May 19, 1996.

"ER" sewed up NBC's highest 18-49 and total-viewer results in this time period with entertainment programming since May 18, 2006, the night of the "Will & Grace" finale. This marked the highest-rated episode of "ER" among adults 18-49 since October 12, 2006 and in total viewers since May 18, 2006. Versus "ER's" season-to-date average for original episodes, the finale was up 88 percent in adults 18-49 (6.0 vs. 3.2, "live plus same day") and 90 percent in total viewers (16.4 million vs. 8.6 million, "live plus same day').

"ER" took charge of the two-hour time period, dominating in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. In adults 18-49, "ER" generated a 94 percent margin of victory (6.0 vs. 3.1 for CBS's dramas in second place). In the 10-11 p.m. hour, "ER" beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in all key ratings categories � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers.

NBC's 5.2 average in adults 18-49 and 14.5 million viewers overall on Thursday from 8-11 p.m. marks the network's best Thursday primetime performance in both measures, excluding sports, since May 18, 2006 (the night of the "Will & Grace" finale).

On Friday, April 3 from 8-8:29 p.m. ET, "Howie Do It" averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. From 8:29-9 p.m., a second episode of "Howie Do It" delivered a 1.0/4 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-10 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.6 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 20 percent in women 18-49 (to a 1.2 from a 1.0), 25 percent in adults 25-54 (1.5 vs. 1.2) and 42 percent in women 25-54 (1.7 vs. 1.2). It is worth noting that so far this season, "Friday Night Lights'" 18-49 rating has been increasing by an average of 22 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" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) built on it is lead-in from the previous hour by 36 percent in 18-49 and 41 percent or 1.4 million persons in total viewers

On Saturday, April 4 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of the series finale of "ER" averaged a 0.7/2 in 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers overall. From its first half-hour to its fourth, "ER" increased by 80 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 0.9/3 from a 0.5/2) and by 39 percent in total viewers (to 3.0 million from 2.2 million).

Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 4.7 million viewers overall) was the top non-sports program on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. From its first half-hour to its second, "Law & Order" grew by 33 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.2/4 from a 0.9/3), by 23 percent in adults 25-54 (1.6 vs. 1.3) and by 20 percent in total viewers (5.1 million vs. 4.3 million).

On Sunday, April 5 from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to it second by 36 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5/5 from a 1.1/4) and by 27 percent or 1.2 million persons in total viewers (to 5.5 million from 4.3 million).

Sunday from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Kings" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 3.6 million viewers overall.

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "The Celebrity Apprentice" (2.8/7 in 18-49, 7.2 million viewers overall) delivered significant growth from its first half-hour to its fourth, up 43 percent in 18-49 (to a 3.3/9 from a 2.3/6) and 34 percent or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (to 8.2 million from 6.1 million) on a night that included special competition from CBS's "Academy of Country Music Awards." The other major networks all declined in both categories between the 9-9:30 half-hour and the 10:30-11 p.m. half-hour.

This steady growth propelled "Celebrity Apprentice" to a #2 ranking for its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET in nearly all key categories and a #1 finish among the broadcast networks in the 10 p.m. hour among men 18-34.

"Celebrity Apprentice" was up 22 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's non-sports average in the time period this season prior to "Apprentice's" debut (2.8 vs. 2.3, "live plus same day").