America’s Got Talent Re-Teams with YouTube for Auditions

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC’s America’s Got Talent is again partnering with YouTube to open up its audition process to the online community.

Acts of all ages can upload their audition videos online through June 9, via the America’s Got Talent Audition App, or by logging on to youtube.com/americasgottalent, nbc.com/agt or facebook.com/nbcagt. Producers will then select 20 acts for the YouTube community to view and vote on. The YouTube act with with most votes will automatically secure a spot in the YouTube-branded quarterfinal broadcast episode. This is the first time that auditions can be submitted via a new iPhone and Android App.

Last year, the YouTube auditions brought a then-unknown 10-year-old vocalist, Jackie Evancho, into the spotlight after placing first in the inaugural online contest. She went on to advance to the top 10 and her audition has since garnered more than 3.7 million views on the site to date. She even secured a recording deal with Columbia Records following the competition.

“With a flip of the hand, this process throws a wider net across America,” said Paul Telegdy, the executive VP of alternative programming for NBC and Universal Media Studios. “YouTube brought us Jackie Evancho for season five, and with greater accessibility and ease provided by the audition app, there’s no telling what amazing talent will surface next.”

“We are delighted to work with NBC’s digital marketing team and YouTube to put this ground-breaking audition experience directly in the hands of the contestants,” added Olivier Delfosse, the VP of interactive, mobile and digital content for FremantleMedia Enterprises. “Jackie’s success is a great testament to the power of social media, and proves that winning America’s Got Talent is within anyone’s reach.”