NBC, Fremantlemedia And Youtube Hold Online Auditions For 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' Starting 4/26

NBC and the producers of "America's Got Talent," premiering June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET), have partnered with YouTube to allow talented acts from across the country to audition online for a shot at performing live on the #1 hit summer series, it was announced today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios, and Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America and executive producer of "America's Got Talent."

Beginning April 26 through June 18, talented acts can upload their audition videos at www.youtube.com/americasgottalent. From the submissions, the show's producers will select 40 acts to be posted on the special "AGT" YouTube site. The YouTube community will then vote for their favorite acts and the act with the most votes will get to perform LIVE on "America's Got Talent," alongside 11 other YouTube acts chosen by producers.

"'Expect the unexpected' has always been core to the success of AGT," said Telegdy. "This audacious new twist to the audition process offers our viewers not only a priceless golden ticket to get onto the biggest stage in the country in the middle of the competition, but also the opportunity for a thrilling live show where anything can happen. No other show would dare to take on this challenge."

"We're thrilled for the opportunity to leverage the passion, power and opinion of the YouTube community to help find the next winner of "America's Got Talent," added Frot-Coutaz.

This season, the series has traveled to Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, and Portland, but the YouTube invitations will exponentially extend the search to find the country's freshest and unique talent.

"America's Got Talent" has proven to be an online sensation with some of the most viewed videos on YouTube. From chicken farmer and last season's winner Kevin Skinner to "Quick Change" and Neal Boyd's spine-tingling opera performances to little Kaitlyn Maher singing "Somewhere Out There." Some of the most memorable contestant moments on "AGT" became online sensations.

NBC.com will continue to host the official website for "America's Got Talent" - http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/ - and will feature full episodes of the show, weekly video highlights, contestant photos and online voting where fans will be able to vote for the finalists and ultimately the winner.

"America's Got Talent" from "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television, returns this summer on June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's fifth season. Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal"), one of America's favorite entertainers, joins returning celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan this season, while actor/producer/comedian Nick Cannon also returns as host.

The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts - and the $1 million prize.

"America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television. Simon Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff, and Ken Warwick ("American Idol") are executive producers.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (FOX), "America's Got Talent" (NBC), "What Chilli Wants" (VH1), "Kirstie Alley's BIG LIFE" (A&E), "Let's Make A Deal" (CBS), "Downfall" (ABC), "Family Feud" (syndicated), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS).

About YouTube

YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, CA and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

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