"We're thrilled to have 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' for another season,” said Hammer. “We not only forged new ground with its launch on USA last October, but we also succeeded in delivering to our viewers some of the finest writing and acting on television."

"I am extremely pleased that we will be back on USA for our eighth season and I am grateful to Bonnie Hammer, Jeff Wachtel and their entire team for their support,” said Wolf. “ 'Criminal Intent' has thrived in its new home on USA and will for years to come."

LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT was the top drama series in basic cable prime for 4Q07 and brought new viewers to USA, more than doubling the Thursday 10pm time period audience from the same weeks the prior year. The show boasts an enormously talented cast led by critically-acclaimed actor Vincent D’Onofrio (Detective Robert Goren); Kathryn Erbe (Detective Alex Eames); Chris Noth (Detective Mike Logan), Julianne Nicholson (Detective Megan Wheeler,) Eric Bogosian (Captain Danny Ross).

"The last time Rene Balcer was showrunner of 'Law & Order' we won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. I am thrilled he is back," said Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of "Law & Order." "Jeremy and Linus bring a new energy to the cast and we hope the return to our longtime timeslot of Wednesday at 10 will bring renewed success to the show, not just from our core fans, but from a new generation of viewers as well."

Last season, "Law & Order" averaged a 2.7 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 9.0 million viewers overall. "Law & Order" improved the Friday 10 p.m. (ET) hour by 12 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average for the prior season and delivered Friday's most upscale audience (in concentration of homes with $100,000-plus incomes in its adult 18-49 audience).

Last season, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" delivered a 2.7 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.7 million viewers overall, averaging a 23 percent build on its adult 18-49 lead-in. This season, with original telecasts on USA Network, "Criminal Intent" has generated an average of 1.8 million 18-49 viewers, more than doubling USA's Thursday 10 p.m. results of a year earlier and leading USA to a 70 percent increase in its Thursday primetime average.

"Law & Order," the longest-running crime series and the second-longest-running drama series in the history of television, enters its 18th season on NBC. The brainchild of creator Dick Wolf, "Law & Order" is the most successful brand in primetime television. It is the 1997 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Drama Series and the record holder for the most consecutive (11) nominations in that category for a primetime series (tied with "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H").

Detective Edward Green (Jesse L. Martin) and his new partner Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision of their precinct lieutenant, Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). In the second half-hour, the focus shifts to the criminal courts, as Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and the Executive Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) work within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of the newly appointed District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston). "Law & Order" is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer; Rene Balcer, Fred Berner and Peter Jankowski are the executive producers.

This season viewers can expect exciting new guest star appearances, including Patrick Stump (from musical group "Fall Out Boy"), Lara Flynn Boyle ("The Practice"), and January Jones ("Mad Men").

In "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth) and his partner, Detective Wheeler (Alicia Witt), make up the Major Case Squad alongside long-time partners Detectives Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe). The two Major Case Squad detective teams split the caseloads week to week. The series takes viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve the crimes. D'Onofrio ("Men in Black") stars as Detective Goren, an exceptionally bright homicide investigator with well-honed instincts that match up favorably with his criminal quarry. Likewise, his partner, Detective Eames (Erbe, "Oz"), brings an independence and stylish edge to her work that meshes well with Goren.

Alicia Witt ("Vanilla Sky") joins the cast for the first six episodes as Logan's detective partner while Nicholson is on maternity leave.

"Law & Order" will return to the NBC network for an unprecedented 18th season. It joins the previously announced "Law & Order: SVU" on the network's prime time schedule. "Law & Order" is the longest running crime drama in television history, and second only to the longest running drama series "Gunsmoke," which ran for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.

In a groundbreaking move, the acclaimed drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will move from NBC to USA, the top-rated basic cable network, which is owned by NBC Universal. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will return for its seventh season with its premiere runs on USA, followed by an encore play on NBC. USA is the #1 basic cable network, among households, total viewers, and all key demos. For the last six seasons, "Criminal Intent" has run first on NBC and then had its second window on USA. Beginning next year, that scenario flips.

"With this innovative programming move, we have significantly strengthened the already powerful USA network, given NBC maximum flexibility, and in the process have changed the paradigm of prime time television," said Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal's President and Chief Executive Officer. "By changing the traditional way programs are rolled out, we have reinforced NBC Universal's forward thinking approach to new programming strategies and our willingness to embrace bold thinking. In the end, it is all about our viewers. And this will allow our viewers continuing access to the finest programming across the premier networks of NBC Universal." Zucker added, "We are thrilled to continue our successful business relationship with Dick Wolf and his team."

Creator/Executive Producer Dick Wolf said, "I am thrilled and delighted that Wolf Films and NBC Universal will continue the longest running and most successful partnership in television. This is a win-win for everybody. With all three Law & Orders on the air, formats of 'SVU' and 'CI' on in Russia and France, and discussions ongoing in other territories, this new deal encourages and enhances our mutual desire for our companies to become a major force in global television. This is the tip of the sphere of a new media paradigm."

He added, "I am very grateful that 'Law & Order' is coming back for its 18th season on NBC. Creatively, the show is still firing on all cylinders and I have no doubt that the show's quality can and will continue for years to come. We are scheduled to celebrate our 400th episode next season, which is a milestone that is absolutely staggering. And we are now one year closer to my ultimate dream – to become the longest running drama in the history of television, beating Gunsmoke." Wolf continued, "SVU redefined the network/cable broadcast model when it premiered in 1999, by creating a repurposed window on basic cable for a network show. Now Criminal Intent adds a new dimension to that model, with a groundbreaking licensing of a repurpose window in reverse, to the network. CI enjoyed a creative resurgence last season and I expect the new USA/NBC dual broadcast window will bring new life to the show in its seventh year."

"'Law and Order' has remained one of NBC's defining series and dependable performers for its entire, formidable 17 year run." said Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, "We're so pleased that Dick Wolf and his talented team of producers will continue this legacy of quality storytelling on NBC."

"'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' is perfect for USA — smart, character-driven programming that's already a proven hit with our viewers," said Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and SCI FI Channel. "It's also a blockbuster procedural, a terrific complement to the award-winning 'Monk' and last year's top-rated new show, 'Psych'. Combined with the powerhouse WWE and the rest of the network's dynamic slate, it ensures that USA will continue to dominate the cable landscape and remain #1."

The "Law & Order" brand accounts for the #1, 2 and 3 off-network primetime series on basic cable through the first four months of 2007 in adults 25-54, with "Criminal Intent" on USA (1.020 million adults 25-54), "SVU" on USA (945,000 adults 25-54) and "Law & Order" on TNT (864,000 adults 25-54).

More than 100 million viewers watch the "Law & Order" dramas on cable or broadcast each month, making it television's most-watched drama franchise.

"Law & Order" runs in syndication on TNT. "Law & Order: SVU" is also seen in national syndication on USA, Bravo and on weekends on local broadcast stations. Starting this fall, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will air on local broadcast stations on a Monday through Friday basis, as well as continuing to air on USA and Bravo.

The "Law & Order" franchise is also seen in hundreds of territories around the world and has continued its expansion overseas with new format deals for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (France and Russia) and "Law & Order: SVU" (Russia).