The format's origins can be traced to the British talent shows Opportunity Knocks (on-screen from the 1950s, with the winner using the now-standard method of a telephone vote) and New Faces.

[5] When it proved a success, work began on producing a season of the competition for British television, but was suspended after its intended host had a dispute with ITV and ultimately ended their involvement.

The programme proved a success for NBC, who commissioned further seasons, while launching the franchise internationally – among countries where television networks between late 2006 bought up the competition's format to mid-2007 included France, Russia, Sweden, and Australia.

Cowell later returned to the UK to continue production of the British edition for ITV, leading to Britain's Got Talent debuting on 9 June 2007.

The golden buzzer, which allows each judge to select one act to advance directly to the next round of the competition, was first introduced in 2012 on the sixth season of Germany's Das Supertalent, and was adopted in 2014 on both the eighth series of Britain's Got Talent[8] and the ninth season of America's Got Talent.

In 2024, the fourth season of Canada's Got Talent introduced a $25,000 cash prize for each recipient of the golden buzzer, making it the first edition of the franchise to do so.

[12] During the same week, more details were announced, with Cowell explaining 20 previous winning contestants from global variations of Got Talent would be brought together at the Royal Albert Hall with himself and Jonathan Lopez both having roles in the show.

[13] However, Cowell halted plans for the series because it would conflict with his judging commitments with The X Factor USA and Britain's Got Talent for the years to come.

In February 2014, The X Factor USA was cancelled by Fox due to low ratings and Cowell's decision to return to the UK version of that show.