AMERICA'S GOT TALENT to Return to Radio City Music Hall for Live Shows, 7/29

NBC's "America's Got Talent" returns to Radio City Music Hall, one of the nation's most storied and historic venues, for its upcoming ninth season.

The show will air live from Radio City Music Hall twice a week when live episodes begin this summer on July 29 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT). "AGT," ranked as the No. 1 summer reality series, premieres May 27 at 8 p.m.

"We are delighted to return to the legendary stage of Radio City Music Hall," said Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. "With the best performers we've ever had, and the expert guidance of judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howard Stern, the show will reach new heights of talent and excitement this season."

"Nothing puts a spotlight on the nation's eccentric and varied performers like 'America's Got Talent,'" said Trish Kinane, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America. "We're delighted to be back at Radio City Music Hall to raise the curtain on another great season."

Radio City Music Hall - located in New York's famed Rockefeller Center and opened in 1932 - holds nearly 6,000 seats and has long been the home of the iconic New York City dance company the Rockettes. The theater, which has been visited by millions of visitors from around the world, is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

"I am happy to welcome 'America's Got Talent,' one of the country's most popular interactive variety TV shows, back to New York for another season," said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "I especially look forward to building on the success of last year when 'AGT' relocated to the Empire State and attracted over 86,000 visitors from around the world, as well as created hundreds of jobs and generated millions of dollars for local hotels, neighborhood restaurants and other community vendors. This exciting news is the latest example of how the film and television industry is thriving in our state and how New Yorkers are benefiting from its business, culminating in hundreds of projects and injecting billions of dollars into New York's economy."

For the first time in show history, "AGT" Boot Camp - the final round of auditions that determine the Top 48 acts that advance to the live performance shows - will be held in New York City and also in front of a live audience. "AGT" Boot Camp week will be held May 14-17.

After a nationwide search for talent earlier this year, outstanding acts who made it through the season nine open-call auditions will be invited back to perform in front of celebrity judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howard Stern. The judges' auditions, filmed in front of a live audience and hosted by Nick Cannon, began in Newark, N.J. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and continued in New York City at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

More auditions will be held in Los Angeles (April 21-26) at the Dolby Theatre. For taping times and ticket information, visit www.nbc.com/tickets. The top acts will move on to compete during this summer's live shows at Radio City Music Hall and vie for America's vote.

Last season, America crowned innovative dance performer Kenichi Ebina as the million-dollar winner. 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 No. 1 summer reality series in adults 18-49 and total viewers. It's the eighth year in a row "Talent" has been the top summer reality series in total viewers. "Talent" grew year to year by 6% in total viewers (12.0 million vs. 11.4 million).

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