NBC's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT to Broadcast Season 7 Live From NJ Performing Arts Center

The hit NBC alternative series AMERICA'S GOT TALENT will have a fresh new perspective from the East Coast as the summer's top-rated series has found its brand new home for its seventh season, broadcasting live two nights a week from Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) beginning in July. American radio personality, television host and author Howard Stern joins the show as a judge, along with Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne. Nick Cannon returns as host.

Located in Newark, NJ, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. The state-of-the-art venue will hold an audience of over 2,200 fans for each show. “America’s Got Talent” was created by Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television and is co-produced by Syco TV and FremantleMedia North America

“We’re excited fans of ‘America’s Got Talent’ who live on the east coast will finally get a chance to see the show live from the beautiful New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a first-class venue with a history of showcasing the world’s top talent,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America. “If the passionate crowds we’ve had at this season’s auditions are any indication, it’s going to be the place to be this summer.”

"Moving to the East Coast will infuse the show with a refreshing new attitude and a larger live theater experience that will bring an enhanced vitality and energy," said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC. "This spectacular new site will also reward our many loyal East Coast fans who now can see the show in person and in far greater numbers than in previous seasons."

“We're honored and delighted that NBC, Syco TV and FremantleMedia have selected the New Jersey Performing Arts Center as the new home for 'America’s Got Talent,' the country's favorite summer series,” said John Schreiber, NJPAC President and CEO. “This is a huge opportunity to introduce NJPAC, where the world’s greatest artists have performed for fifteen years, to the rest of the nation. Beyond that, the show's residence in the great city of Newark will deliver significant economic impact and visibility that will benefit the City and the State, as thousands of crew, aspirants, and audiences spend here on food, lodging, travel, and other ancillary expenses. This is a major coup for the Arts Center, for Newark, and for the State of New Jersey.”

“America’s Got Talent” will premiere with two two-hour episodes on Monday, May 14 (8-10 p.m. ET) and Tuesday, May 15 (8-10 p.m. ET). The show’s return will feature the first appearance of new judge Howard Stern, who joins fellow judges Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne. The series then resumes in its regular day and time on Monday, May 21 (8-9 p.m. ET) and on Tuesday, May 22 (9-10 p.m. ET).

"America's Got Talent" was the #1 non-sports telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox in total viewers every week it aired over the summer of 2011, making it the #1 summer series in total viewers for a sixth year in a row. Last summer, "America's Got Talent" delivered its highest-rated cycle ever. “America’s Got Talent” is the only talent competition show that is open to any age and any talent.

For ticket information for the live shows at NJPAC, please visit: www.nbc.com/agt

“America's Got Talent" was created by Simon Cowell's SYCO Television and is co-produced by Syco TV and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell and Georgie Hurford-Jones (“Britain's Got Talent”) are executive producers for Syco TV and Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff, Ken Warwick (“American Idol”) for FremantleMedia North America.

About NBC Entertainment:

NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network’s primetime, late-night, and daytime schedules. NBC’s quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards, and ratings success. NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history. NBC’s roster of popular scripted series includes such critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning comedies as "The Office" and "30 Rock," the latter starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. NBC’s drama slate includes the veteran, award-winning series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and the popular first-year musical “Smash.” Unscripted series for NBC include the vocal competition hit “The Voice” as well as "The Biggest Loser," "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "America's Got Talent." NBC's late-night story is highlighted by "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "Saturday Night Live." NBC Daytime's "Days of our Lives" consistently ranks among daytime’s top programs in the valuable women 18-34 category. The five-time, Emmy Award-winning NBC.com streams full episodes and provides original content for NBC entertainment shows online and through apps for mobile and tablet devices. On Saturday mornings, the network broadcasts Qubo on NBC, a three-hour block that features fun, entertaining, and educational programming for kids, including the award-winning, 3-D animated series “Veggie Tales.”

About FremantleMedia North America:

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “The X Factor” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Take Me Out” (FOX), “Family Feud” (syndicated), “The Price Is Right” (CBS), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Hole In The Wall” (Cartoon Network), “Total Blackout” (Syfy premieres 2012) and the first scripted series “The Wedding Band” (TBS premieres 2012).

About SYCO:

Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. Syco Television owns and produces the BAFTA Award-winning “The X Factor,” which has topped the charts around the world. Syco Television is also the owner of the “Got Talent” television format. Local versions of The X Factor format air in over 30 countries and The X Factor (USA) is broadcast in 162 countries. Artists launched through The X Factor series globally have sold over 100 million records achieving more than 110 No 1’s; 270 Top 10 and 510 Top 50 records. Local versions of the Got Talent format air in more than 40 countries and America’s Got Talent is broadcast in 125 countries.

Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 200 million albums and delivering more than 180 #1 records. Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world’s biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history, selling a total of 20 million records to date in the last 2 years Susan remains one of the world’s biggest selling artists.

About the New Jersey Performing Arts Center:

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over 6 million visitors (more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.