NBC, FremantleMedia Partner with YouTube on Got Talent

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC and FremantleMedia are working with YouTube to allow acts to audition online for the hit summer series America’s Got Talent, which returns to screens June 1.

From now through June 18, artists can upload their audition videos to www.youtube.com/americasgottalent. From those submissions, 40 acts will be selected to air on YouTube’s Got Talent site. Web viewers can then vote for their favorites and the most popular act will be able to perform live on the show alongside 11 other YouTube acts chosen by producers.

Announcing the initiative, Paul Telegdy, executive VP of alternative programming at NBC and Universal Media Studios, noted: "’Expect the unexpected’ has always been core to the success of AGT. This audacious new twist to the audition process offers our viewers not only a priceless golden ticket to get onto the biggest stage in the country in the middle of the competition, but also the opportunity for a thrilling live show where anything can happen. No other show would dare to take on this challenge.”

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America and executive producer of America’s Got Talent, added: "We’re thrilled for the opportunity to leverage the passion, power and opinion of the YouTube community to help find the next winner of America’s Got Talent."

NBC.com will continue to host the official website for America’s Got Talent, which will feature full episodes of the show, weekly video highlights, contestant photos and online voting where fans will be able to vote for the finalists and ultimately the winner.