MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC and the producers of America‘s Got Talent, which kicks off on 1 June, have partnered with online video sharing site YouTube to allow talented acts from across the US to audition online for a shot at performing live on the show.
Till 18 June 2010, talented audition acts can uploaded at www.youtube.com/americasgottalent. From the submissions, the show‘s producers will select 40 acts to be posted on the special AGT YouTube site. The YouTube community will then vote for their favourite acts and the act with the most votes will get to perform on America‘s Got Talent, alongside 11 other YouTube acts chosen by producers.
NBC and Universal Media Studios executive VP, alternative programming Paul Telegdy says, "‘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."
FremantleMedia US CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz says, "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".
This season, the series has traveled to Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, and Portland, but the YouTube invitations will exponentially extend the search to find the country‘s freshest and unique talent.
America‘s Got Talent has proven to be an online sensation with some of the most viewed videos on YouTube. From chicken farmer and last season‘s winner Kevin Skinner to Quick Change and Neal Boyd‘s opera performances to little Kaitlyn Maher singing Somewhere Out There.
NBC.com will continue to host the official website for America‘s Got Talent- www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent- and 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.
