Magician Mat Franco Wins Ninth Season of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT

The votes are in and America has chosen Mat Franco as the winner of season 9 of "America's Got Talent." Franco won over viewers with his ability to continuously reinvent America's PERCEPTION of magic, outshining thousands of acts including finalists, AcroArmy, Emily West, Miguel Dakota, Quintavious Johnson and Sons of Serendip. He is the first magic act to ever win "America's Got Talent." Franco will appear on NBC's TODAY tomorrow, Sept. 18.

This season of "America's Got Talent" concluded at Radio City Music Hall with a star-studded live finale featuring performances by Travis Barker, Jennifer Hudson, Lenny Kravitz, Cyndi Lauper, Pitbull, the Rockettes, Ed Sheeran, Train and a special appearance by Rosie O'Donnell.

Franco became fascinated with the art of magic after seeing it on television at age four. Growing up in Rhode Island, he learned a variety of techniques by studying magicians he videotaped off television. Franco continued to hone his craft with performances throughout his teen and college years and now specializes in creating customized, interactive presentations for his audiences that allow for spontaneity and improvisation. For Franco, magic isn't about "tricking" or "fooling" the audience; it's about connecting with people and bringing smiles to their faces. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/matfrancomagic and on Twitter at @MatFrancoMagic.

Franco will headline "America's Got Talent Live" at The AXIS Powered by Monster at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (Sept. 26 and 27).? Additional acts confirmed to appear include AcroArmy, Emil & Dariel, Emily West, Miguel Dakota, Quintavious Johnson, Sons of Serendip and season 8 runner-up, comedian Taylor Williamson. Tickets may be purchased online at www.planethollywoodresort.com or in-person at The AXIS box office at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.?

Auditions for the next season of "America's Got Talent" will begin in November in cities including Nashville, TN; New York City; Richmond, VA; Tampa, FL and more. Registration for open call cities will begin Sept. 23. For information on open call auditions, or to submit a video audition for season 10, please visit http://www.AGTAuditions.com/

"America's Got Talent" is the summer's No. 1 series on the Big 4 networks in adults 18-49 (tie), adults 18-34, kids 2-11, teens 12-17 and total viewers, with the Tuesday edition averaging a 2.7 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 11.5 million viewers overall in "most current" ratings averages from Nielsen Media Research. It's the ninth year in a row "Talent" has ranked #1 among summer series in total viewers.

"America's Got Talent" stars celebrity judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel, and is hosted by Nick Cannon. "AGT" is produced by Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Jason Raff, Sam Donnelly, Trish Kinane and Richard Wallace are the executive producers.

Photo: Peter Kramer/NBC