You’re sitting on the couch, snacks ready, remote in hand, and you’re wondering exactly what time does AGT come on tonight. It’s a classic summer ritual. Since 2006, America’s Got Talent has basically owned the Tuesday night television slot, and 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the franchise. It’s the 20th anniversary of the show that gave us everything from singing ventriloquists to guys who jump into piles of thumbtacks for fun.
Honestly, tracking the schedule can be a headache because NBC likes to shuffle things around once the live shows hit. If you’re looking for the short answer: America’s Got Talent typically airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. But there’s a lot of nuance depending on where we are in the season and how you’re watching it.
The Standard Weekly Time Slot for AGT
For the vast majority of the year, specifically during the audition rounds, the show is a two-hour block. If you’re on the East Coast or the West Coast, you’re looking at an 8:00 p.m. start time. Central and Mountain time zones usually see it at 7:00 p.m., but you should always double-check your local listings because affiliate stations sometimes have a mind of their own.
- Network: NBC
- Standard Start Time: 8 p.m. ET/PT
- Primary Air Day: Tuesday
When the show moves into the live results phase later in the summer, things get more crowded. Usually, NBC adds a Wednesday night results show. These are often shorter—typically one hour—and also tend to start at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It’s a lot of TV to keep up with, especially when you factor in the "Road to the Lives" specials or those recap episodes that NBC loves to throw in during holiday weeks.
What Time Does AGT Come On if You’re Streaming?
Not everyone has a digital antenna or a cable box anymore. If you’re a cord-cutter, your "what time does AGT come on" question has a different answer.
Peacock is the primary streaming home for the show. However, you can’t usually watch it live on Peacock unless you have the "Premium Plus" plan that includes your local NBC station’s live feed. For everyone else, new episodes of America's Got Talent drop on Peacock the next day. Usually, this happens at 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning (for the Tuesday night broadcast).
If you use services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV, you can watch it at the exact same time it airs on traditional television. These services act just like cable, so as long as you’re tuned in at 8 p.m. local time, you’re good to go.
Why the Anniversary Season Changes Things
Since 2026 marks two decades of the show, NBC has been hinting at special programming. While the 8 p.m. anchor remains steady, keep an eye out for "retrospective" specials. These often air an hour before the main show, starting at 7 p.m. ET. If you log on exactly at 8, you might miss some of the 20-year celebration footage they’ve been digging out of the archives.
When Does Season 21 Actually Start?
While NBC hasn’t dropped the final, etched-in-stone calendar for every single episode yet, we can look at the historical data. Traditionally, the show premieres on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. For 2026, that puts the likely premiere date at Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The judges' panel—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum—along with host Terry Crews, usually start their televised search for the $1 million prize right as the weather starts getting warm.
- Audition Phase (May - July): Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (2 hours)
- Live Shows (August - September): Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (2 hours)
- Results Shows (August - September): Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (1 hour)
Common Schedule Misconceptions
A lot of people get confused when the Olympics or major sports events happen. NBC is the home of the Olympics, and while there isn't a Summer Games in 2026, the network still occasionally bumps AGT for breaking news or special sports championships. If you tune in and see a different program, check the NBC website; they usually move the episode to a different night rather than skipping it entirely.
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Also, "What time does AGT come on" depends heavily on your "Live" status. If you are watching on the West Coast via a streaming service that uses an East Coast feed, you might actually be able to see it at 5 p.m. local time. It’s a weird loophole for people who hate spoilers on social media.
Actionable Steps for AGT Fans
- Set a DVR series recording: Search for "America's Got Talent" on your service and select "New Episodes Only" to catch the 8 p.m. slot automatically.
- Check the NBC App: If you miss the live broadcast, the NBC app usually has the episode available to stream for free (with ads) a few hours after it airs on the West Coast.
- Follow the Official Socials: The AGT Twitter (X) or Instagram accounts are very good about posting "Starting Now" alerts for every time zone.
- Sync your Peacock account: If you’re a next-day viewer, make sure your notifications are on so you get the ping at 6 a.m. Wednesday when the file is uploaded.