America's Got Talent returned with winning numbers for its season debut on Tuesday night, providing a much-needed boost to NBC's flagging post-season primetime lineup.

With its judging panel spiced up by Sharon Osbourne, and a new host in the shape of Jerry Springer, Talent averaged close to 13m viewers and achieved a 12% share in the adults 18-49 demographic during its 2 hour season premiere.

Those numbers represent the Fremantle-Syco show's best overall viewer numbers and its second-best 18-49 ranking in its history.

Britain's Got Talent, a UK version of the show with Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the judging panel, will start its run on ITV1 on June 9.