Summer series will be back for a fourth season in '09

NBC's summer flagship, "America's Got Talent," will keep rolling into 2009.

The network handed out a not at all surprising renewal for the show on Thursday (Aug. 28), ensuring that the show will return for a fourth season next year. "Talent" has proven to be a reliable summer franchise over the past three seasons, ranking among the top shows of the summer in each of those years.

"The production team has stepped up their game creatively as proven by the strong ratings," says Craig Plestis, NBC's head of alternative programming. "There's nothing like it on television."

So far this season, "America's Got Talent" is averaging about 13.2 million viewers per week, up from 11.4 million at this time last year (its adults 18-49 ratings are flat, however, at 3.6). NBC notes it also has broad appeal, ranking among the top five shows in both teens and adults over 50.

The Jerry Springer-hosted show is in the midst of winnowing down its top 40 acts. It will conclude on Oct. 1 by giving the winning act a million-dollar prize.