Simon Cowell is joining the next season of America’s Got Talent! The executive producer and creator of NBC series replaces Howard Stern as judge.
“I am really thrilled to be joining America’s Got Talent next season,” said Cowell. “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!”
In a statement, NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said, “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. We welcome him to the onscreen NBC family.”
America’s Got Talent is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Syco Entertainment, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music. Cowell, Kinane, Sam Donnelly, Jason Raff and Richard Wallace are the executive producers.
The show is set to return to NBC in the summer of 2016.
PHOTO CR: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP