NBC TIES FOR #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE PRIMETIME WEEK OF AUG. 17-23

NBC RANKS #2 OUTRIGHT IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34 AND TOTAL VIEWERS

THE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EDITIONS OF 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' ARE THE #1 AND #2 SHOWS OF THE WEEK IN TOTAL VIEWERS

WEDNESDAY'S 'TALENT' IS THE #1 SHOW OF THE NIGHT IN ADULTS 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS, PACING NBC TO A PRIMETIME WIN IN BOTH MEASURES

THE TUESDAY 'TALENT' WINS ITS TWO-HOUR SLOT IN ALL KEY MEASURES � ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49 AND 25-54, AS WELL AS TOTAL VIEWERS

ON SUNDAY, 'MISS UNIVERSE 2009' RANKS #1 AMONG THE BROADCAST NETWORKS IN ITS SLOT IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND KEY ADULT-FEMALE DEMOS

'MISS UNIVERSE 2009' SURGES 73 PERCENT IN 18-49 FROM ITS FIRST HALF-HOUR TO ITS FOURTH, TOPPING THE ABC-CBS COMPETITION COMBINED IN ITS FINAL HOUR

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � August 25, 2009 � Paced by "America's Got Talent," and concluding the week with a surging ratings performance from "Miss Universe 2009," NBC tied for #2 for the week of August 17-23 in adults 18-49 while ranking #2 outright in total viewers. NBC averaged a 1.5 rating, 5 share in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall for the week, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

NBC tied for #2 for the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, ranking behind Fox, which was boosted by two primetime NFL pre-season telecasts. NBC ranked #2 outright for the week in adults, men and women 18-34 and total viewers.

Both the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "America's Got Talent" ranked among the top five programs of the week in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49, with the Tuesday "Talent" ranking #2 and the Wednesday edition ranking #5 (tied). Also ranking among the top shows of the week in 18-49 were NBC's Sunday telecast of "Miss Universe 2009" (#13) and the Monday edition of "Dateline" (#16, tied). "Miss Universe" was also the #10 program of the week on the broadcast networks in adults 18-34 and tied for #4 among women 18-34.

In total viewers, the Tuesday "America's Got Talent" was the #1 program of the week and the Wednesday "Talent" results show ranked #2. "America's Got Talent" is the #1 television program of the summer in adults 18-49 (tied), total viewers and other key measures and this marks the ninth week in a row that "America's Got Talent" has ranked #1 among all programs in total viewers (excluding sports telecasts).

Primetime averages for the week of August 17-23 in adults 18-49 were Fox (2.0/6), NBC and CBS (1.5/5), Univision (1.3/4), ABC (1.2/4), Telemundo and CW (0.4/1). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were CBS (5.8 million), NBC (5.6 million), Fox (5.1 million), ABC (4.5 million), Univision (3.2 million), CW (1.1 million) and Telemundo (1.0 million).

NBC highlights for the week of August 17-23:

* On Monday, "Dateline" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its time period in adults 18-49 and other key demos. The Monday edition of "Dateline" reported week-to-week gains of 13 percent in 18-49 and 8 percent in total viewers.

* Also on Monday, "Great American Road Trip" gave NBC its highest 18-49 rating in its slot in eight weeks and notched its most competitive finish to date in the time period. Week-to-week, "Road Trip" accelerated 18 percent in 18-49 rating and 11 percent in total viewers.

* On Tuesday, "America's Got Talent" won its two-hour time period in all key measures � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. "Talent" was the #1 program of the night in total viewers.

* In its final hour on Tuesday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" beat the ABC-CBS competition combined in every key ratings category � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

* On Wednesday, the "America's Got Talent" results show was the #1 program of the night in both 18-49 and total viewers.

* Wednesday's "Talent" results show dominated its time period in all key measures, topping its closest competitors in the slot by 44 percent in adults 18-49 and 56 percent in total viewers. "Talent"" topped the second hour of Fox's "Octomom" special by 44 percent in 18-49 rating and by 147 percent or 6.4 million persons in total viewers.

* NBC ranked #1 in primetime Wednesday night, topping all broadcast and cable competition in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

* On Friday, a two-hour "Dateline" was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49. "Dateline" reported the biggest overall viewership for any Friday non-sports primetime telecast on any broadcast network in eight weeks.

* This marks the eighth Friday in ten weeks that "Dateline" has reported the top non-sports rating for any broadcast network in 18-49 and the fourth week in a row that it was the top non-sports program on Friday night in total viewers

* On Sunday, "Miss Universe 2009" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its time period in total viewers and key female demographics. "Miss Universe" scored NBC's top non-sports results in its time period since the May 10 finale of "Celebrity Apprentice."

* "Miss Universe 2009" built dramatically from its first half-hour to its fourth, increasing by 73 percent in 18-49 rating and by 49 percent or more than 2.3 million persons in total viewers. For its concluding hour Sunday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Miss Universe 2009" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in all key ratings categories � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers - and beat the combined ABC-CBS ratings in adults, men and women 18-34 and 18-49.

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 17-23:

On Monday, August 17 at 8 p.m. ET, "Great American Road Trip" (1.3 rating, 4 share in adults 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) matched its series-high rating in adults 18-49 and finished within 0.2 of a rating point of the time-period lead, it's most competitive finish to date in this slot. Week-to-week, "Road Trip" gained 18 percent in 18-49 rating (1.3/4 vs. 1.1/4) and 11 percent in total viewers (4.1 million vs. 3.7 million), to deliver NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period in eight weeks (since June 22).

At 9 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" delivered a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 4.6 million viewers overall, increasing 10 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.1/3 vs. 1.0/3). "Criminal Intent" ranked #2 in the slot in total viewers.

Monday from 10-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.8/5 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 (tied), adults 18-34 and other key demos. Versus the prior week, the Monday edition of "Dateline" reported increases of 13 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8/5 vs. 1.6/5) and 8 percent in total viewers (6.9 million vs. 6.3 million).

On Tuesday, August 18 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" averaged a 1.5/5 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall. The "Talent" encore topped a first-run episode of ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in every key demographic � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (3.1/9 in adults 18-49, 11.9 million viewers overall) won its two-hour time period in all key measures � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers. "Talent" was the #1 program of the night in total viewers.

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" beat the ABC-CBS competition combined in every key ratings category � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

The Tuesday edition of "America's Got Talent" is the summer's #1 television series in adults 18-49 (tie) and total viewers.

NBC ranked #1 on Tuesday night in adults 25-54 and total viewers.

On Wednesday, August 19 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an "America's Got Talent" recap episode (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) tied for #1 in the time period in adults 18-49 (with the first hour of Fox's "Octomom" special), while outperforming ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and CBS's comedy encores. The "Talent" recap delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the hour since July 15. From its first half-hour to its second, the "Talent" recap increased 21 percent in adult 18-49 rating (to a 1.7 from a 1.4) and 15 percent in total viewers (to 6.8 million from 5.9 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall) was the #1 show of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. The "Talent" results show won the 9-10 p.m. hour by a decisive 44 percent margin in adults 18-49 (2.6 vs. a 1.8 for both ABC and Fox) and by 56 percent in total viewers (10.7 million vs. 6.8 million for CBS's "Criminal Minds" encore in second place). "Talent" topped the second hour of Fox's "Octomom" special by 44 percent in adults 18-49 (2.6 vs. 1.8) and by 147 percent or 6.4 million persons in total viewers (10.7 million vs. 4.3 million).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.3/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million viewers overall) finished within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 (tied) among the broadcast networks in women 25-54. "SVU" attracted NBC's biggest overall viewership in the hour since July 1 and matched the network's best 18-49 rating in the slot since July 8.

NBC ranked #1 in primetime Wednesday night, topping all broadcast and cable competition in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

On Thursday, August 20 from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "30 Rock" (1.1/4 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall) matched the show's best 18-49 rating in the slot in four weeks. At 8:30 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Parks & Recreation" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall) matched its 18-49 rating of the prior two weeks and was up week-to-week by 5 percent in total viewers.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating of the summer and delivered its biggest overall audience since June 18. "The Office" was the time period's #1 non-sports choice on the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54.

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall) was the time slot's #1 non-sports choice on the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34 and men 18-49.

Thursday from 10:01-11 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Law & Order" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) was the time period's #2 non-sports choice on the broadcast networks in most key ratings categories and tied for #1 among women 18-34.

On Friday, August 21 from 8-9 p.m. ET, a rebroadcast of "Southland" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers overall.

From 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.4/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) was the #1 non-sports telecast of the night on the broadcast networks in adults 18-49. "Dateline" reported the biggest overall audience for any Friday non-sports primetime telecast on any broadcast network in eight weeks (since June 26). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased by 36 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.5/5 from a 1.1/4) and by 14 percent in total viewers (to 6.5 million from 5.7 million).

This marks the eighth Friday in ten weeks that "Dateline" has reported the top non-sports rating for any broadcast network in 18-49 and the fourth week in a row that it was the top non-sports program on Friday night in total viewers.

On Saturday, August 22 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.7 million viewers overall) tracked down NBC's top non-sports results in this slot in both 18-49 and total viewers since May 23. From 9-10 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Law & Order" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 3.3 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's biggest overall audience in the slot since the Macy's Fireworks special on July 4.

Saturday from 10-11 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.0/4 in 18-49, 4.1 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top results in this time period in 18-49 and total viewers since July 25.

On Sunday August 23, from 7-8 p.m. ET, "Merlin" averaged a 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 3.1 million viewers overall. From 8-9 p.m., "Merlin" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) generated a 22 percent gain in 18-49 rating versus the prior week (1.1 vs. 0.9), matching its highest 18-49 rating since June 21. Versus the results in the previous hour, "Merlin" conjured up an 18 percent gain in adults 18-49 and a 24 percent increase in total viewers.

Sunday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Miss Universe 2009" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) scored NBC's top non-sports results in this time period in both 18-49 and total viewers since the May 10 finale of "Celebrity Apprentice." "Miss Universe" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in its time period in total viewers and among women 18-49 and women 25-54.

"Miss Universe 2009" built dramatically from its first half-hour to its fourth, increasing by 73 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.6/7 from a 1.5/4) and by 49 percent or more than 2.3 million persons in total viewers (to 7.1 million from 4.8 million).

For its concluding hour from 10-11 p.m., "Miss Universe 2009" ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in all key ratings categories � adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. For its climactic 10-11 p.m. hour, "Miss Universe" beat the combined ABC-CBS ratings in adults, men and women 18-34 and 18-49.