For over a decade, we've gasped, cheered, laughed and cried along as contestants on America's Got Talent vied for fame and the $1 million prize by putting on some incredible performances.
All summer long, the popular NBC show draws in millions of viewers each week, making it one of the most-watched programs on television.
Having already dominated summer TV viewership, the Got Talent franchise now has plans to return for a winter season!
"America's Got Talent dominates the summer by bringing together the world's best Got Talent acts for all ages with unique talents to the forefront," said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and reality group at NBC Entertainment. "Bringing the best Got Talent competitors together for this winter edition will have these favorites elevating their acts to awe and inspire audiences like never before."
Titled America's Got Talent: The Champions, the spin-off is the brainchild of Telegdy and executive producer and judge Simon Cowell.
"I have always wanted to have a competition show for the very best of the best Got Talent acts from around the world," Cowell said in a statement. "The variety and the talents of the acts who enter Got Talent globally are incredible and unbelievable. Since America's Got Talent was where it all started, I'm absolutely delighted to be launching this on NBC."
While the announcement was made shortly before the premiere of the latest season in May, it was brief and didn't include many details about what we should expect the spin-off to be like.
Now, more information about the upcoming show has been made available and we're getting really excited!
Who will be competing?
AGT: The Champions will reportedly feature contestants from the past 13 seasons, including winners and/or notable acts. They will be competing for the ultimate America's Got Talent title.
Longtime fans of the show will love seeing some of their favorite performers return to the stage and wow them all over again.
The show will also be inviting acts from the other international versions of the franchise, so don't be surprised to see contestants from Britain's Got Talent, Australia's Got Talent, and more.
Although none of the contestants have been confirmed yet, we're hoping to see talent like singer Bianca Ryan (Season 1), ventriloquist Terry Fator (season 2), singer Grace VanderWaal (Season 11), Light Balance dance group (Season 12), dancer and mime Kenichi Ebina (Season 8), or maybe even Susan Boyle!
Where will it be filmed?
Cowell confirmed that the show will take place in the U.S. as this is where it all started.
AGT is currently filmed at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, so there's a chance that the Champions edition will follow suit.
Who are the judges?
Of course, the show won't be the same without Cowell as a judge, so he is definitely on board.
On July 27, it was confirmed that former Spice Girl and current AGT judge Mel B will be joining Cowell on the spin-off.
More judges are expected to be announced at a later date.
Finally, when will it premiere?
While we do know that show has been picked up for the 2018-2019 winter schedule, the network has yet to provide a premiere date.
Certain media outlets are speculating that it will most likely air on Monday evenings starting in January 2019.
We'll be sure to keep you posted as soon as we have confirmation of an exact date.
We're definitely looking forward to America's Got Talent: The Champions. What about you?
