NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: MEREDITH VIEIRA TALKS WITH J.K. ROWLING

FOLLOWING ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK RELEASES OF ALL TIME, J.K. ROWLING SPEAKS TO NBC'S MEREDITH VIEIRA IN AN EXCLUSIVE TELEVISION INTERVIEW DISCUSSING FOR THE FIRST TIME THE CONCLUSION OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES

Interview to Air on "Today" Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27 and on "Dateline NBC" Sunday, July 29

NEW YORK � July 18, 2007 � In her only television interview after the highly anticipated release of the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling will sit down with NBC's Meredith Vieira in Edinburgh, Scotland. This exclusive interview marks the first time Rowling will talk about the worldwide reaction to the final Harry Potter volume and the much anticipated and speculated about Potter finale, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The interview will air on "Today," Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27 and during a one-hour special of "Dateline," Sunday, July 29.

Vieira and Rowling will explore the Harry Potter phenomenon, including Rowling's notable impact on literacy, her readers, and the publishing industry, as well as the inspiration she has given young writers. Leading up to the J.K. Rowling interview, fans can participate in a 7-week celebration of the Harry Potter series at harrypotter.todayshow.com. The special section will include the latest news and features about the final book, allow fans to connect with each other, and provide a place for "Today" viewers to show off their love for the hit series.

Jim Bell is the executive producer of "Today" (7:00-10:00 a.m. ET), and David Corvo is the executive producer of "Dateline" (7:00 p.m. ET). NBC News' home on the Internet is www.MSNBC.com. For more news, features and information on the upcoming interview, click on www.harrypotter.todayshow.com.