"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" AND TODAY ANNOUNCE INAUGURAL "TODAY'S GOT TALENT" CONTEST

"Today's Got Talent" Searches for Outstanding Act to Complete Season 9 Top 48 and Perform Live at Radio City Music Hall

NEW YORK - May 27, 2014 - "America's Got Talent," the summer's No. 1 reality show, will join forces with TODAY for "Today's Got Talent," a nationwide contest to select a contestant that will get to fast track to the "AGT" live shows at iconic Radio City Music Hall this summer. For the first time in "AGT" history, fans will have the opportunity to vote at www.TODAY.com/agt to send their favorite act to the Top 48. The new season of "America's Got Talent" premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT with outstanding acts from across the country auditioning for celebrity judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howard Stern in New York City, Newark and Los Angeles. Nick Cannon returns as host.

The contest announcement was made this morning on TODAY by Howie Mandel.

"This contest is the last chance to join the roster of incredible talent performing live at Radio City Music Hall this season," said Mandel. "We're thrilled to partner with TODAY to help us find what could be the million dollar winner."

Prospective contestants can now go to www.TODAY.com/agt to learn how to submit an audition video for the chance to be selected as a "Today's Got Talent" finalist.

The top three finalists of Today's online audition will then perform live on the TODAY Plaza on Wednesday, July 23. The Plaza performances will be posted to www.TODAY.com/agt for fans to watch and vote for their favorite act. The winner will go straight to Radio City Music Hall as part of the Top 48 and vie for America's vote to win the $1 million prize.

The winner of "Today's Got Talent" will be announced live July 30, during "America's Got Talent" (8 p.m.) and will take the stage at Radio City Music Hall in a subsequent week to perform for the celebrity judges.

For rules, eligibility and more information, visit www.TODAY.com/agt.

The submission timeline is as follows:

Tuesday, May 27 Online submissions open at www.TODAY.com/agt

Friday, June 27 Online submissions close

Monday, July 21 Finalists announced on TODAY

Wednesday, July 23 Finalists perform on TODAY Plaza

Wednesday, July 30 "Today's Got Talent" winner is announced live on "America's Got Talent" (9 p.m. ET)

Last season, America crowned innovative dance performer Kenichi Ebina as the million-dollar winner. The eighth season of "America's Got Talent" averaged a 3.3 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 12.0 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen Media Research, making "Talent" the No. 1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It's the eighth year in a row "Talent" has been the top summer reality series in total viewers. "Talent" grew year to year by 6% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.4 million).

"America's Got Talent" is produced by Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly and Trish Kinane are the executive producers.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent

For the latest 'America's Got Talent' news, videos, and photos, please like on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Google+: https://www.facebook.com/nbcagt https://www.youtube.com/agt https://twitter.com/nbcagt #AGT https://instagram.com/nbcagt https://plus.google.com/+nbcagt

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of the 50 US or DC and current EAD Card holders. Begins 5/27/14 at 8pm ET and ends 6/27/14 at 12:00pm ET. Limit two (2) entries per Act. For Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit www.today.com/agt. Voting Administrator: NBC Universal Media, LLC. Sponsor: Marathon Productions, Inc.