"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" FINDS NEW HOME IN RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

LIVE EPISODES TO AIR FROM FAMED NEW YORK VENUE AS TV'S TOP SUMMER SERIES BEGINS EIGHTH SEASON

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF - April 3, 2013 - NBC's top-rated summer series "America's Got Talent" is moving into Radio City Music Hall, one of the nation's most storied and historic venues, for its upcoming eighth season.

The show will air live from Radio City Music Hall twice a week when live episodes begin on Tuesday, July 23 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, July 24 (8-9 p.m. ET). The premiere date for the series is Tuesday, June 4 (9-11 p.m. ET) and will begin its regular hour-long Wednesday edition on July 10 (8-9 p.m. ET).

"There are few entertainment shrines in the world that are as venerated as Radio City Music Hall," said Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. "Many of America's greatest performers have graced this legendary stage, and now 'AGT' will have the rare opportunity to discover greatness in this renowned venue. This move - coupled with the addition of Mel B and Heidi Klum joining our judges' panel of Howie Mandel and Howard Stern - takes the show to a new and even more exciting level."

Added executive producer Trish Kinane: "We are delighted that season eight of 'America's Got Talent' will come from New York's iconic Radio City Music Hall. This venue has welcomed some of the best acts in the world, and 'AGT' will continue in that tradition by bringing exciting new performers to this legendary stage."

While the move was made for creative reasons, it would not have been possible without the assistance provided by the recent extension and enhancement of the New York Production Tax Credit.

"We applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York legislature for developing and advocating programs that attract investment and create jobs for New Yorkers," said Rick Cotton, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for NBCUniversal.

"Today's announcement is further proof that New York is becoming the place to go for the film and television industry, creating new jobs for New Yorkers and spurring economic activity across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "We have the resources, the talented workforce, and the best venues, including the iconic Radio City Music Hall, which will be sure to inspire the contestants of 'America's Got Talent' - and all the visitors who flock to see it."

This year, supermodel, producer and TV host Heidi Klum joins high-octane entertainer and former Spice Girl Mel B as the newest judges. They will take their seats on the judges' table alongside outspoken radio personality and author Howard Stern and comedian, TV host and producer Howie Mandel. Actor, producer and comedian Nick Cannon returns as host.

Radio City Music Hall, which is located in New York's famed Rockefeller Center and opened in 1932, holds nearly 6,000 seats and has long been the home of the world famous Rockettes, who star in the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

The famed theater, which has been visited by millions of visitors from around the world, is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It has housed thousands of events during its nearly 81 years as one of New York's most important landmarks and cultural centers, including many awards shows, the NFL Draft, a Cirque du Soleil presentations and, incredibly, various sports events.

The 2012 edition of "America's Got Talent" ranked as the #1 summer series on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and total viewers, marking the seventh-straight year the show finished as the #1 summer series in total viewers. "Talent" ranked #1 among non-sports primetime telecasts on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in total viewers for 12 of its last 14 weeks on the air last summer. The Monday edition of "Talent" averaged a 3.4 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 11.1 million viewers overall, the Tuesday telecast earned a 3.4/10 in 18-49 and 11.7 million viewers and the Wednesday edition delivered a 2.9/8 in 18-49 and 10.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. 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 Simon Cowell's Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane and Rob Wade are the executive producers.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from NBC shows, please visit NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/americasgottalent/

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