It worked for Susan Boyle. Now NBC is hoping YouTube can help "America’s Got Talent" spark its own viral buzz.
The Google-owned video site has launched a special microsite in conjunction with NBC that will let amateur performers show off their stuff online — and, perhaps, on-air.
Starting today, the site — youtube.com/agt — will begin accepting submissions from singers, musicians, animal acts, comics, etc. Submissions will be accept through June 23, according to rules posted on the site.
The "AGT" judges — no doubt aided by producers — will then narrow the field down to 40 acts. Between June 28 and July 4, YouTube users will vote on their faves. And then, sometime this summer, a dozen finalists will go on TV to perform on a special live edition of "AGT" (though only one of those acts will actually be selected by the folks at home).
While NBC is no doubt hoping to drum up interest in "AGT" via the competition, the YouTube contest doesn’t appear to be replacing the summer-long TV competition. That contest, with judges playing a key role, will continue to be the focus of "AGT."
"AGT" returns to NBC on June 1 — unless, of course, the network decides to move up the previously scheduled premiere.
