The ninth season of American talent show competition series America's Got Talent was broadcast on NBC from May 27 to September 17, 2014. Following the previous season, the program underwent a number of format changes. Alongside the second audition stage being changed slightly for this season and the public being allowed to vote for a public Wildcard act for the competition, the most significant change was the inclusion of the "Golden Buzzer" - although its incorporation differed in format to other editions within the Got Talent franchise, an arrangement that would be changed in later seasons. In addition, the ninth season also involved the assistance of a third-party, another television program, to offer a place in the live rounds, with this being given to a participant favored greatly by