EMMY-WINNING TELEVISION LEGEND REGIS PHILBIN NAMED AS HOST OF NBC'S NEW TALENT COMPETITION SERIES 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' FROM SIMON COWELL AND FREMANTLEMEDIA

EMMY-WINNING TELEVISION LEGEND REGIS PHILBIN NAMED AS HOST OF NBC'S NEW TALENT COMPETITION SERIES 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' FROM SIMON COWELL AND FREMANTLEMEDIA

Freewheeling Series to Premiere with Two-hour Episode on Wednesday, June 21

BURBANK � May 10, 2006 � Emmy Award-winning television legend Regis Philbin ("Live with Regis & Kelly," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire") has been chosen as host of NBC's "America's Got Talent," the new talent competition series from Simon Cowell ("American Idol") and FremantleMedia ("American Idol") that will premiere with a special two-hour broadcast on Wednesday, June 21 (8-10 p.m. ET).

The regular telecast time of "America's Got Talent" will be Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET; (30-minute results shows will air on Thursdays beginning July 13, 8:30-9 p.m. ET).

"Regis is one of America's most recognizable and beloved TV personalities. I couldn't be more pleased to have him as the host of 'America's Got Talent' working alongside Simon Cowell and the excellent team of producers," said Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"For years I've thought about hosting a variety show on television but I could never put it together in my mind," said Philbin. "Finally, here it is and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."

"I am delighted that Regis has agreed to host 'America's Got Talent,'" said Cowell. "Regis is just the best, and I am really looking forward to working with him."

"Not only will Regis bring a wealth of experience and credibility to the show, but he will be the perfect mentor for all the fresh untried talent we hope to find," added executive producer Ken Warwick.

Cowell and FremantleMedia will bring the hottest performers from across the country to TV audiences in this new series that allows viewers to determine who will walk away with a $1 million cash prize. The series features a colorful array of hopeful future stars. Singers, dancers, comedic performers and unique acts of all ages will have a chance to strut and perform in front of a panel of judges who will determine which acts advance to the final rounds. (The judges will be announced at a later date.)

Philbin's vast and varied career in television virtually matches the medium's history. After a career in local news, he first gained national attention as sidekick to host Joey Bishop's late-night "The Joey Bishop Show" before moving on to become a popular fixture in Los Angeles with his own morning talk show, "AM Los Angeles." Philbin eventually moved the show to New York and also became executive producer where it became a national daily syndicated hit as "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee" and currently as "Live with Regis & Kelly" with host Kelly Ripa.

In 1999, Philbin hosted the hottest show on television with "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," an hour-long primetime game show that was telecast several times a week.

Along the way, Philbin endeared himself to American audiences by hosting many specials and holiday events, including "New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005," "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade" and "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," among others. He also is a regular fixture as a guest on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," among many other talk shows.

Philbin has guest-starred in such series as "Becker," "Mad About You," "Hope & Faith," "Less Than Perfect," "Spin City," "Caroline in the City" and "Seinfeld." Among his film credits, Philbin will voice one of the characters in the upcoming "Shrek the Third" animated feature due in 2007.

Philbin won an Emmy each as host of "Live with Regis" and for "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire."

"America's Got Talent" is produced by Cowell's SYCO TV production company and FremantleMedia. Cowell, Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol") are the executive producers. Jason Raff ("Three Wishes") is the co-executive producer.

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA is known for producing such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (Fox). In 2005, FremantleMedia programs garnered 16 Emmy nominations, including six for "American Idol." Other credits include "The Price Is Right" (CBS), the longest-running game show in television history, the daily syndicated game show "Family Feud," the comedy game show "Distraction" (Comedy Central) and the hit lifestyle show "How Clean Is Your House?" (Lifetime). FMNA is currently producing "American Inventor" for ABC and "Game Show Marathon" for CBS and "Got Talent" for NBC.

FMNA is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with production operations in more than 25 countries. FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 11 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com