HOWARD STERN, HEIDI KLUM, MEL B AND HOWIE MANDEL RETURN AS JUDGES ON "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT"

Nick Cannon Also Back as Host as Summer's No. 1-Rated Competition Series Prepares for Ninth Season

NEW YORK, NY - Nov. 20, 2013 - Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel are set to return as judges to NBC's top-rated summer competition series "America's Got Talent." Nick Cannon will also return as host.

The announcements were made by Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late-Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.

"Howard, Heidi, Mel and Howie have proven that they are a dynamic quartet of judges who aren't afraid to share their opinions, while at the same time creating fireworks of their own," Telegdy said. "Along with Nick serving as an incomparable host, our talent on 'Talent' is among the finest on all of television."

"The judges on 'America's Got Talent' this past season were fun, astute and really knew how to spot talent," said Trish Kinane, Executive Producer and President of Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America. "We are delighted to have this vibrant group of diverse, discerning personalities returning to take the show to new heights next season."

Auditions for the next season of "America's Got Talent" are currently underway. For information on open call and online auditions for season nine, please visit http://www.AGTAuditions.com/.

Howard Stern, who joined "America's Got Talent" in 2012, is a self-described "king of all media" and has been a prominent radio personality for more than 30 years. His current program is aired on subscription-only SiriusXM Radio and features a range of guests from all areas of entertainment and pop culture. Stern is also a bestselling author, actor and entrepreneur.

Heidi Klum, who joined the judges panel this past summer, is a major star in the fashion and entertainment world. She established herself as a top model, making great impact for such clients as Victoria's Secret and appearing on the covers of pop culture mainstays, including the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Klum is also a Primetime Emmy Award winner as host for a reality or reality-competition program (with Tim Gunn) for "Project Runway."

Like Klum, Mel B (Melanie Brown) began her tenure on "America's Got Talent" this past season. She is best known to audiences as a member of the Spice Girls and is a chart-topping musical artist, actress, author, and television personality. Mel B has also served as a judge on the Australian versions of "The X Factor" and "Dancing With the Stars."

Mandel returns for his fifth season as a judge on "America's Got Talent." He has received a primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding reality competition host and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for outstanding game show host for "Deal or No Deal," which ran in both primetime and syndication.

Host Nick Cannon returns for his sixth season as host on "America's Got Talent." Cited by People magazine as one of the top 10 most successful young people in Hollywood and featured on the covers of magazine's such as Complex and Black Enterprises' 40 Under 40, Cannon is a successful multi-faceted entertainer: film star, comedian, TV and radio host, musician, writer, director, executive producer and philanthropist.

Last summer, 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 #1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It's the eighth year in a row "Talent" has been the #1 summer reality series in total viewers. "Talent" grew year to year by 6% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.4 million).

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.

In the show's recently completed eighth season, America crowned Kenichi Ebina as the winner of the competition.

Ebina wowed viewers with his innovative dance productions, outshining thousands of acts including finalists Cami Bradley, Collins Key, Forte, Jimmy Rose and Taylor Williamson. The finale week shows, live from Radio City Music Hall, featured performances by Dierks Bentley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Icona Pop, Il Divo featuring Heather Headley, Gavin DeGraw, Josh Groban, Luke Bryan, and the Rockettes, with guest appearances by Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and James Lipton.

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

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/americasgottalent/

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