NBC'S TOP-RATED SUMMER SERIES "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" RETURNS FOR EIGHTH SEASON ON JUNE 4

Hour-long Wednesday-night Editions Begin on July 10 as New Judges Mel B and Heidi Klum Join Returning Judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 19, 2013 - NBC's "America's Got Talent" - America's top-rated summer series - will return for its eighth season when it premieres on 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). This season will feature new judges Mel B and Heidi Klum who will join returning judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel -- marking the first time that the series has showcased four judges on the panel.

Live episodes will begin on Tuesday, July 23 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, July 24 (8-9 p.m. ET).

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.

"America's Got Talent," NBC's top-rated summer series from producers Simon Cowell's SYCO Television and FremantleMedia North America, returns this summer with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's new season. The live shows again will originate from the New York Tri-State area. This year, Klum joins the recently announced, high-octane entertainer and former Spice Girl Mel B as the newest judges who take their seats on the experienced and talented judge panel along with the outspoken, unedited radio personality, television host and author Stern and comedian, TV host and producer Mandel. Actor, producer and comedian Nick Cannon returns as host.

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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