‘America’s Got Talent’ season 16: Everything we know about the latest ‘AGT’ season

America's Got Talent
From L to R: Howie Mendel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell on "America's Got Talent." (Image credit: NBC)

People are once again showing off their talents in front of a panel of judges (not to mention a massive viewing audience), attempting to win the popular NBC reality series America’s Got Talent. This is season 16 of America’s Got Talent — what incredible performers and inspirational stories will we learn about this year?

America’s Got Talent has been airing on NBC since 2006 and welcomes anyone with a unique and special talent to compete for a $1 million cash prize. Over the years this has included singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and even a guy who regurgitates objects.

Here’s a rundown of everything that we know about this latest season of America’s Got Talent

Who are the ‘America’s Got Talent’ judges, host?

Before the aspiring contestants can make it to audience votes, they first have to audition for America’s Got Talent’s panel of four judges. In season 16, that includes the quartet of Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mendel, all of whom are returning from season 15.

Cowell, of course, is no stranger to reality competition series, having made his name in the U.S. as one of the original and toughest hosts on American Idol (he was a host on Britain’s Got Talent previously). He’s been with AGT since it’s 11th season. Vergara is best known for her role in the sitcom Modern Family, but season 16 is her second full season as a judge on AGT. TV host and model Heidi Klum, meanwhile, returned to AGT in season 15 after taking a year off, but prior to that she spent six seasons as a judge. Then there’s Howie Mendel, the longest tenured host on AGT, having been with it since season 5.

Actor and comedian Terry Crews (Brooklyn 99) is also on hand as the host of AGT, which he has been since season 14.

When did ‘America’s Got Talent’ season 16 premiere?

Season 16 of America’s Got Talent has been back on NBC since June 1. The auditions aired weekly up until July 20, when the show took a two week break as NBC covered the Tokyo Olympics.

AGT is back with live episodes. First up are the quarterfinals, which will feature three rounds of 12 performers, each airing two nights (Aug. 10/11, Aug. 17/18 and Aug. 24/25). The first episode for each quarterfinal round will be performances, while the second is the results show.

Who are the 'America's Got Talent' season 16 finalists?

America's Got Talent whittled things down to 10 acts to competing for this season's top prize. Here is the full list of AGT season 16 finalists:

Aidan Bryant
Brooke Simpson
Dustin Tavella
Gina Brillon
Jimmie Herrod
Josh Blue
Lea Kyle
Northwell Nurse Choir
Victory Brinker
World Taekwondo Demonstration Team

Out of all these performers, Dustin Tavella was dubbed the winner of America's Got Talent season 16.

How to watch ‘America’s Got Talent’

America’s Got Talent airs weekly on NBC on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can watch it live on their local NBC station, which can be accessed through an antenna, a cable subscription or by utilizing one a vMVPD service, which includes Fubo TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Episodes can also be streamed after they have aired on either the NBC.com app or on the Peacock streaming service. All new episodes are available the day after they air on NBC.

Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service. To get access to NBC content on Peacock, a user must sign up for either the $4.99 Peacock Premium plan, which includes ads, or the $9.99 Peacock Premium plan, which is ad free.

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.