NFL FOOTBALL AND 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' BLITZ THE PRIMETIME COMPETITION FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 6-12

NBC'S 'BACK TO FOOTBALL WEEK' TOPS THE NIELSEN SCOREBOARD, AS THURSDAY AND SUNDAY GRID COVERAGE PICKS OFF THE #1 AND 2 PRIMETIME RANKINGS OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND ALL OTHER KEY CATEGORIES

NBC DELIVERS THE TOP WEEKLONG 18-49 RATING FOR ANY NETWORK SINCE MARCH AND BIGGEST AVERAGE WEEKLY AUDIENCE FOR ANY NET SINCE APRIL

THE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EDITIONS OF 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' ARE #1 AND TIED FOR #3 FOR THE WEEK AMONG ALL NON-SPORTS PRIMETIME TELECASTS ON THE MAJOR NETWORKS IN 18-49 AND #1 AND #2 IN TOTAL VIEWERS

THE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EDITIONS OF 'MINUTE TO WIN IT' AND 'SVU' ALSO RANK IN THE WEEK'S TOP 20 IN 18-49 (EXCLUDING NFL POST- AND PRE-GAME TELECASTS)

THURSDAY'S VIKINGS-SAINTS 'NFL KICKOFF' SEASON-OPENER BRINGS IN THE BIGGEST AUDIENCE FOR ANY REGULAR-SEASON PRIMETIME NFL TELECAST ON ANY NETWORK IN NEARLY 14 YEARS

NBC WINS THURSDAY IN ALL KEY CATEGORIES WITH ITS HIGHEST 18-49 AND TOTAL-VIEWER RESULTS FOR A NON-OLYMPIC THURSDAY SINCE THE 'FRIENDS' FINALE

SUNDAY'S COWBOYS-REDSKINS PREMIERE IS NBC'S MOST-WATCHED 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' TELECAST EVER (EXCLUDING THURSDAY'S SPECIAL); IS THE NFL'S TOP WEEK-ONE SUNDAY-MONDAY PRIME TELECAST IN 14 YEARS

'DATELINE NBC' REPORTS ITS HIGHEST MONDAY RATING IN 18-49 SINCE JULY AND A NEW SUMMER HIGH FOR A MONDAY TELECAST IN TOTAL VIEWERS

TUESDAY'S 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' DOMINATES THE NIGHT WITH THE SHOW'S HIGHEST TUESDAY RESULTS IN EIGHT WEEKS IN 18-49 AND 13 WEEKS IN TOTAL VIEWERS

TUESDAY'S 'MINUTE TO WIN IT' HITS A SUMMER HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC WINS TUESDAY IN 18-49 AND TOTAL VIEWERS WITH ITS TOP TUESDAY AVERAGES IN 14 WEEKS

WEDNESDAY'S 'TALENT' IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE NIGHT WITH THE SHOW'S TOP WEDNESDAY RESULTS IN FOUR WEEKS IN 18-49 AND 10 WEEKS IN TOTAL VIEWERS

WEDNESDAY'S 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' CAPTURES A 10 P.M. WIN IN ALL KEY CATEGORIES AND APPREHENDS A SUMMER HIGH IN TOTAL VIEWERS

FRIDAY'S 'DATELINE NBC' WINS ITS TIME PERIOD IN 18-49, MATCHING ITS TOP RATING FOR A FRIDAY EDITION IN THREE MONTHS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - September 14, 2010 - NBC has dominated the primetime ratings week of September 6-12, led by "Back to Football Week" NFL programming and "America's Got Talent," which lifted the network to the highest adult 18-49 average for any network in six months. According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC finished the week with an average 3.8 rating, 11 share in adults 18-49 and 11.4 million viewers overall.

For the week, NBC also ranked #1 among the major networks in adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all other key ratings categories. Note that weekly and Sunday averages for Fox are subject to change by Nielsen.

NBC's 3.8 rating for the week in adults 18-49 is the highest for any network since the week of March 1-7 (Fox, 4.1) and NBC's highest for a non-Olympic week since January 26-February 1, 2009, Super Bowl week. In total viewers, last week's 11.4 million viewers overall for NBC is the most for any network since April 5-11 (CBS, 11.6 million) and NBC's top average for a non-Olympic week since September 14-20, 2009.

The week of September 6-12 was "Back to Football Week" on NBC, with NBC Sports' coverage of opening-week NFL contests on Thursday and Sunday delivering the #1 and #2 ratings of the week in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key ratings categories. The week also included special NFL-themed telecasts of "Minute To Win It," "Saturday Night Live" and other shows across the NBC schedule.

NBC's two-game viewership of 26.3 million is the best since the NFL created the Thursday/Sunday primetime opening weekend in 2002 and is up 25 percent over last year's 15.9 million for the opening weekend on NBC. Thursday's Vikings-Saints (27.5 million) and Sunday's Cowboys-Redskins (25.3 million) rank as the No. 1 and No. 2 most-watched NBC regular-season primetime NFL broadcasts ever.

For the week NBC claimed four of the top five rankings in adults 18-49 (including a tie for #5, excludes all football pre-game and post-game telecasts), with the Thursday and Sunday NFL telecasts (#1 and 2) and the Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "America's Got Talent" (#3 and tied for #5). Wednesday's "Law & Order: SVU" and the Tuesday and Wednesday telecasts of "Minute To Win It" (each tied for #18) also ranked in the week's top 20 in 18-49 (excludes all football pre-game and post-game telecasts).

The Tuesday and Wednesday editions of "America's Got Talent" were #1 and tied for #3 for the week among primetime non-sports telecasts on the major networks in adults 18-49 and were #1 and #2 in total viewers.

Primetime averages for the week of September 6-12 in adults 18-49 were NBC (3.8/11), Fox (2.2/6), ABC (1.4/4), CBS (1.4/4) and CW (0.8/2). In overall total viewers the weekly averages were NBC (11.4 million), CBS (6.1 million), Fox (5.8 million), ABC (4.8 million) and CW (2.0 million).

NBC highlights for the week of September 6-12

* On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins debut of "Sunday Night Football" scored the top Nielsens for an opening-week Sunday-Monday primetime NFL telecast since 1996.

* Sunday's Cowboys-Redskins game is the most-watched edition ever of "NBC Sunday Night Football" in total viewers (excluding Thursday's special), up 20 percent versus the comparable year-ago Bears-Packers season opener.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" matched its highest 18-49 rating for a Friday edition since June 11. "Dateline" ranked #1 in its time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos.

* On Thursday, NBC Sports' coverage of the "NFL Kickoff" season opener between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints was the most-watched primetime regular-season NFL telecast on any network in nearly 14 years and the top primetime regular-season NFL telecast on NBC ever.

* The viewership for Thursday's game surpassed the previous top Thursday "NFL Kickoff" game, which aired one year earlier, by 5.6 million viewers or 27 percent.

* NBC won Thursday night in all key ratings measures, with the network's top 18-49 and total-viewer averages for a non-Olympic Thursday in more than six years, since the night of the "Friends" finale.

* On Wednesday, "America's Got Talent" was the #1 show of the night in 18-49 and total viewers with its top Wednesday results since August 11 in 18-49 and since June 30 in total viewers.

* Also on Wednesday, "Minute to Win It" hit a five-week high in total viewers for a Wednesday telecast.

* Additionally on Wednesday, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" set a new summer high in total viewers and beat all regular competition in the hour in 18-49 for a 14th consecutive telecast. "SVU" won the hour in all key ratings categories -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers.

* On Tuesday, "America's Got Talent" was the dominant telecast of the night, with the show's top Tuesday results since July 13 in adults 18-49 and June 8 in total viewers.

* Also on Tuesday, "Minute To Win It" delivered its biggest overall audience and second-highest 18-49 rating for a Tuesday telecast this summer.

* NBC ranked #1 on Tuesday night in adults 18-49, total viewers and all other key ratings categories. NBC generated its highest Tuesday 18-49 and total-viewer results since June 1.

* On Monday, "Dateline NBC" tied for the 10 p.m. ET lead in 18-49 with its highest Monday rating since July 26. In total viewers, "Dateline" hit a new summer high for a Monday telecast.

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 September 6-12:

On Monday, Sept. 6 from 8-10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "America's Got Talent" averaged a 1.2 rating, 3 share in adults 18-49 and 4.8 million viewers overall. Despite the Labor Day holiday, "America's Got Talent" maintained the 18-49 rating of its prior two Monday rebroadcasts.

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.5/4 in adults 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) tied for #1 among the major networks in the hour in adults 18-49. "Dateline NBC" reported its highest 18-49 rating for a Monday edition since July 26 and hit a new summer high in total viewers for a Monday edition.

On Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Minute To Win It" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) delivered its biggest overall audience for a Tuesday telecast so far this summer and its second-highest 18-49 rating. In the time period, "Minute To Win It" ranked #2 among the major networks among adults 18-49 and other key categories. From its first half-hour to its second, "Minute To Win It" grew by 40 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1 from a 1.5) and by 24 percent or 1.3 million persons in total viewers (to 6.9 million from 5.6 million).

Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (3.2/9 in 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall) was the #1 telecast of the night in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key categories. "Talent" dominated the time period in all key ratings categories.

"America's Got Talent" scored its highest adult 18-49 rating in eight weeks (since July 13) and biggest overall viewership in 13 weeks (since June 8). Week to week, "Talent" was up 10 percent in 18-49 rating (3.3 vs. 3.0) and 7 percent in total viewers (12.3 million vs. 11.5 million).

For its second hour from 10-11 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" was a dominant #1 among the major networks in every key ratings category, topping the combined ABC-CBS result in adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers for that 10-11 p.m. hour.

NBC was #1 for the night in 18-49, total viewers and all other key categories. NBC's generated its highest Tuesday averages in 18-49 and total viewers in 14 weeks (since June 1).

On Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Minute to Win It" (1.8/6 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) maintained its 18-49 rating of one week earlier and delivered its biggest overall Wednesday audience in five weeks (since August 4). "Minute" ticked off that five-week Wednesday high one night after the show hit a summer high in total viewers for a Tuesday telecast. In the time period, Wednesday's "Minute To Win It" is #2 among the major networks in total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, "Minute to Win It" increased by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 1.9 from a 1.7) and 12 percent in total viewers (to 6.9 million from 6.1 million).

Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, "America's Got Talent" (2.8/8 in 18-49, 12.1 million viewers overall) scored the #1 result of the night in adults 18-49 and total viewers. "America's Got Talent" is #1 in the time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key ratings categories. "Talent" is up versus the prior Wednesday by 12 percent in 18-49 rating (2.8 vs. 2.5) and 16 percent or nearly 1.7 million persons in total viewers (12.1 million vs. 10.5 million).

"America's Got Talent" earned its highest Wednesday rating in four weeks (since August 11) and attracted its biggest overall Wednesday audience in 10 weeks (since June 30).

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1.8/5 in adults 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall) dominated the hour, ranking #1 among the major networks in every key ratings category -- adults, men and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, as well as total viewers -- matching the combined ABC-CBS rating in adults 18-34 (1.4 vs. a combined 1.4). In adult 18-49 rating, "SVU" has now ranked #1 or tied for #1 in the time period versus regular competition with its last 14 consecutive telecasts.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" captured its highest 18-49 rating in four weeks (since August 11) and hit a summer high in total viewers. Week to week, "SVU" is up 29 percent in 18-49 rating (1.8 vs. 1.4) and 8 percent in total viewers (6.6 million vs. 6.1 million).

NBC was #1 for the night in total viewers and adults 25-54.

On Thursday, Sept. 9, NBC Sports' coverage of the NFL Kickoff season-opening game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints averaged a 10.7/30 in adults 18-49, 27.5 million viewers overall, and a 16.5/28 household rating/share from 8:42-11:25 p.m. ET. This was the most-watched regular-season primetime NFL telecast on any network in nearly 14 years (since a Packers-Cowboys game on Nov. 18, 1996 averaged 31.5 million on ABC).

The rematch of last year's Vikings-Saints NFC Championship Game in the Louisiana Superdome also scored as the most-watched NFL Opening Weekend game in 14 years (since 27.7 million watched a Cowboys-Bears matchup on September 2, 1996 on ABC). It was also the most-watched NFL Kickoff game ever, topping all other Thursday NFL openers since the inception of the event in 2002. And it was the most-watched regular-season primetime game on NBC ever, surpassing such contests as the original "Manning Bowl" in 2006 (22.6 million) and last year's opening of the new Cowboys Stadium (24.8 million).

The viewership for Thursday's game surpassed the previous top Thursday "NFL Kickoff" game by 5.6 million viewers and 27 percent (a Titans-Steelers overtime game, 20.9 million viewers in 2009).

The game's 10.7 rating in adults 18-49 is NBC's highest for a primetime Thursday telecast, excluding Olympics, since May 13, 2004 ("ER" on the night of the "Frasier" finale). The 27.5 million in total viewers is NBC's best for a non-Olympic Thursday telecast since May 6, 2004 ("Friends and 'ER" on the night of the "Friends" finale).

Thursday from 8-8:30 p.m. ET, an NFL Opening Kickoff special averaged a 4.0/11 in adults 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall and a 7.4/14 household ratings/share. From 8:30-8:42 p.m., NBC Sports' Pre-Kick coverage averaged a 7.0/22 in 18-49, 19.7 million viewers overall and a 12.0/21 household rating/share. The pre-game telecasts were decisively #1 in their time periods and up substantially versus year-ago results.

NBC dominated primetime Thursday night in adults 18-49 with a 9.3/27 average, establishing a 447 percent margin of victory over CBS's second-place 1.7/5 and beating the combined delivery of CBS, ABC (1.3/3), CW (1.5/4) and Fox (0.9/2).

NBC also ruled the night in total viewers, averaging 24.3 million persons from 8-11 p.m. and topping the night's #2 network, CBS (6.8 million), by a margin of 257 percent. NBC topped the combined audiences of CBS, ABC (4.9 million), Fox (3.5 million) and CW (3.5 million).

It was NBC's top-rated Thursday night, excluding Olympics, since the night of the "Friends" finale, May 6, 2004, in both adults 18-49 and total viewers.

On Friday, Sept. 10 from 8-9 p.m. ET, NBC carried the "Stand Up To Cancer" fund-raising special as sustaining programming that is not counted in nightlong or weeklong averages.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.2/4 in adults 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 among the major networks in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and other key demos. "Dateline" matched its highest 18-49 rating for a Friday edition in 13 weeks (since June 11). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Dateline" increased its 18-49 rating by 30 percent (to a 1.3 from a 1.0) and its overall viewership by 13 percent (to 5.1 million from 4.5 million).

On Saturday, Sept. 11 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Parenthood" averaged a 0.6/2 in 18-49 and 2.0 million viewers overall. This is NBC's top 18-49 rating in the time period in four weeks (since August 14).

Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, a second rebroadcast of "Parenthood" (0.7/2 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall) grew versus the prior hour's results by 17 percent in 18-49 rating and 10 percent in total viewers.

Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, another encore "Parenthood" (0.8/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall) built on the prior hour's results by 14 percent in 18-49 rating and 16 percent in total viewers. In the time period, "Parenthood" is #1 among the major networks in women 18-34.

On Sunday Sept. 12, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Dallas Cowboys at the Washington Redskins propelled NBC to a convincing Sunday win by all key measures. For its full duration, the Cowboys-Redskins game averaged a 9.6/24 in adults 18-49, 25.3 million viewers overall and a 15.0/25 household rating/share from 8:31-11:40 p.m. ET.

The Redskins 13-7 victory over the Cowboys on "Sunday Night Football" was seen by an average of 25.3 million viewers (8:31-11:40 p.m. ET), the most for any Week 1 (Sunday or Monday) primetime game since Monday, Sept. 2, 1996 (Cowboys-Bears, 27.7 million on ABC). The only Week 1 primetime NFL broadcast to draw more viewers than Sunday's game dating back to 1997 was last Thursday's NFL Kickoff game between the Vikings and Saints, which drew 27.5 million viewers.

It was also the top viewership ever for "Sunday Night Football," which has aired on NBC since September 2006, surpassing such games as the original "Manning Bowl" in 2006 (22.6 million) and last year's opening of the new Cowboys Stadium (24.8 million). The viewership was up 20 percent over last year's opening "SNF" game (21.1 million for Bears-Packers). In adults 18-49, the increase is 12 percent (9.6 vs. 8.6).

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 7.8/20 in 18-49 and 20.9 million viewers overall, up 8 percent in 18-49 rating and 17 percent in total viewers versus the same night last year. This was the highest rated Sunday primetime performance for any network in both 18-49 and total viewers since ABC's coverage of the Academy Awards on March 7.

NBC won Sunday night by all key ratings measures. In adults 18-49, NBC's margin of victory over the #2 network was 50 percent in 18-49 (7.8 vs. a 5.2 for Fox, which was boosted by an NFL overrun) and 63 percent, or more than 8.0 million persons in total viewers (20.9 million vs. 12.8 million for Fox). Note that Sunday averages for Fox are subject to change by Nielsen.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:59 p.m. ET averaged a 1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.9 million viewers overall and a 3.0/5 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:59-8:22 p.m. delivered a 5.4/15 in 18-49, 14.5 million viewers overall and an 8.5/15 in households. From 8:22-8:31 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 7.1/19 in 18-49, 19.0 million viewers overall and an 11.1/19 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.