'HEROES' PREMIERE DELIVERS NBC'S HIGHEST 18-49 RATING FOR ANY FALL DRAMA DEBUT IN FIVE YEARS

BURBANK, Calif. ? September 26, 2006 ? Paced by the series debut of "Heroes," which posted the highest rating for any NBC drama premiere in five years, NBC won its second Monday night of the 2006-07 season in adults 18-49, according to preliminary "fast affiliate-based" "live plus same day" viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

Versus the second Monday night of last season, NBC's performance last night was up by 18 percent in adults 18-49 and up by 12 percent in overall total viewers.

At 9 p.m. ET, the debut of "Heroes" (5.9 rating, 14 share in 18-49, 14.3 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 for any fall drama premiere in five years (since "Crossing Jordan" on Monday, Sept. 24, 2001). "Heroes" soared above the time period competition in the key demographic of adults 18-49, with a 31 percent margin of victory over second place (5.9 vs. a 4.5 for CBS' comedies). Pending updates, "Heroes" also won the hour in total viewers, adults, men and women 18-34 and other key measures.

"Heroes" was up 48 percent versus NBC's 2005-06 season average in the time period, excluding sports (5.9 vs. 4.0). From its first half-hour to its second, "Heroes" grew by 13 percent (to a 6.3/15 from a 5.6/14) and by 1.1 million viewers overall.

Pending updates, "Heroes" is within one tenth of an 18-49 rating point of the highest rating so far this fall for any new series premiere, close behind Sunday's debut of "Brothers & Sisters" on ABC. By comparison, "Brothers & Sisters" benefited from a 9.6 lead-in rating in 18-49 from "Desperate Housewives," while "Heroes" had a 3.8 rating lead-in last night.

The powerful "Heroes" premiere will be rebroadcast on NBC tonight at 8 p.m. ET and on the SCI FI Channel this Friday, September 29, at 7 p.m. ET.

NBC kicked off Monday night at 8 p.m., ET with "Deal or No Deal" (3.8/11 in 18-49, 13.0 million viewers overall), which finished #1 in its time period in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures. "Deal" was up 31 percent in 18-49 versus NBC's results in this time period on the same night last year.

At 10 p.m. ET, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (4.4/12 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall) was up 10 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's season average for the time period last year (4.4 vs. 4.0, excluding sports). "Studio 60" ranked #2 in most key demographics and was #1, tied with "CSI: Miami," in adults 18-34.

Preliminary 18-49 averages for Monday night are: NBC, 4.7/12; CBS, 4.4/11; ABC and Fox, 2.7/7; CW, 1.2/3. In overall total viewers, September 25 preliminary results are: CBS, 13.5 million; NBC, 12.8 million; Fox, 7.4 million; ABC, 6.4 million; CW, 3.4 million

In local-market late-night results last night, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (4.4 rating, 11 share in metered-market households) defeated CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" (3.7/10), and ABC's "Nightline" (2.4/6) and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (1.3/4 with an encore telecast).

At 12:35 a.m. ET, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1.9/7) beat CBS' "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (1.8/7) and the second half of Kimmel.

Note that all national ratings are "live plus same day" unless otherwise indicated. Metered-market household ratings are live only.