‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21 Episode 16 Release Date and Air Time

‘America’s Got Talent’ is racing toward its finale, with each live round increasing the excitement every Tuesday. Season 21 has already showcased two weeks of thrilling Quarterfinal performances, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next phase of the competition.

With the audience holding all the voting power this season, episode 16 is set to deliver another night where careers hinge on a phone screen and a simple tap of a button.

Episode 16, titled ‘Quarterfinals 3’, is scheduled to air on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. This episode marks the third of four Quarterfinal weeks that comprise the live rounds of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21.

On that night, eleven new acts will take the stage, competing for a chance to join the coveted semifinalists. As in previous rounds, one fortunate act will skip the public vote entirely thanks to the Live Show Golden Buzzer, propelling them straight to the finals.

The remaining ten acts will depend on viewer votes. America will then have to wait for the results episode to discover which three acts will advance and continue their journey on ‘America’s Got Talent’.

‘America’s Got Talent’ airs live on NBC every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET during its Quarterfinal run. For those who miss the live broadcast, the episode will be available for streaming the following day on Peacock, where new episodes typically become accessible.

Fans watching live can also tune in through the NBC app on a smart TV using their cable provider credentials or through Peacock Premium Plus. This flexibility allows fans to stay updated with ‘America’s Got Talent’ regardless of their schedules, especially during a season packed with live show nights.

Voting is open to viewers via the NBC website, the ‘AGT’ mobile app, or TikTok comments, with the voting window typically closing early Wednesday morning before the results show. The results episode for Quarterfinals 3 is expected to follow the same pattern established earlier in the season, airing the day after the performance show.

This season has notably shifted power almost entirely into the hands of the audience. There are no Wild Cards or Saves this year, meaning judges cannot override a public vote once it occurs, except for their one Golden Buzzer use per week.

The third week of Quarterfinals maintains a consistent format since the live shows began. Eleven acts will perform in front of judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B, all aiming to impress both the panel and the millions of viewers voting from home.

One judge will have the opportunity to hit the Live Show Golden Buzzer during the episode, instantly sending their favorite act of the night directly to the finals without needing a single vote. The other ten acts will be vying for just three remaining spots in the semifinals, based solely on the public vote results.

Previous weeks of ‘AGT’ Season 21 have already produced numerous buzzworthy moments, featuring strong vocal performances and acts that divided the judges’ opinions. Given the unpredictability of the earlier Quarterfinal rounds, episode 16 is expected to deliver another blend of music, comedy, magic, and specialty acts vying for America’s attention.

With the Quarterfinals concluding the week after this episode airs, Quarterfinals 3 represents one of the last opportunities for lesser-known acts to make a significant impression before the competition narrows down to the semifinalist pool. Fans should anticipate another emotional night as performers risk everything for a chance at the ‘America’s Got Talent’ title.

Which act do you believe deserves the Golden Buzzer treatment when Quarterfinals 3 takes the stage on September 1?