The network originally intended for it to run during its winter schedule that year, but opted against it following concerns over it clashing with other popular programs at that time.
[3] Brandy Norwood was unable to return as a judge following the previous season, due to an ongoing lawsuit against her at the time,[4][5] and was replaced by Sharon Osbourne as a result.
However, concerns that such a decision would place America's Got Talent in a direct competition for viewing ratings with the sixth season of American Idol, due to being aired around the same period.
NBC eventually dropped the plan, and set the program up for its Summer schedule that year, allocating the arranged broadcasting slot of Grease: You're The One That I Want.
[4][5] Twenty of the participants who auditioned for the season secured a place in the two live semi-finals, with ten acts in each moving on to compete against each other in two "knock-out" finals.