Simon Cowell is making his American TV comeback, but this time he's coming to NBC. The network announced the "American Idol" and "X-Factor" veteran will join the panel of "America's Got Talent" for season 11. Cowell created the "Got Talent" format that is now a worldwide property.
"I am really thrilled to be joining 'America's Got Talent' next season," Cowell said in a statement. "What I love about this show is that it's open to absolutely anyone. America has some fantastic talent just waiting to be discovered, and I would like that talent to come to our show, including any dogs who can sing!"
"AGT" launched in 2006. Cowell will remain an executive producer on the series.
"Simon knows this format better than anyone and he's been producing the show with us since the beginning, so we're thrilled to have him to step in front of the camera and take his rightful place at the head of the judges' panel," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "We welcome him to the on-screen NBC family."
Season 10 of "America's Got Talent" averaged a 2.9 rating in adults 18-49 and 12.5 million viewers overall with its Tuesday airing.
Cowell replaces Howard Stern on the judging panel.
"AGT" is set to return to NBC in the summer of 2016.
U.S. & World
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
