Australia's Got Talent is an Australian reality television talent show. The show is based on the Got Talent series format that originated in the United Kingdom with Simon Cowell.

Australia's Got Talent
GenreTalent show
Created by
Presented by
Judges
Country of origin
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons10
No. of episodes122
Production
Production locations
Running time90 minutes
(including commercials)
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release18 February 2007 (2007-02-18) –
present
Related

The first six seasons aired on the Seven Network, from 2007 to 2012. In the first season the judges were Tom Burlinson, Red Symons and Dannii Minogue. The first season aired at 6:30pm on Sunday nights. After a successful run, the series was given a vote of confidence as Seven moved the show to a more competitive Tuesday night timeslot. The second season aired from 29 April 2008.[3] Burlinson and Symons did not return for season four and were replaced by Kyle Sandilands and Brian McFadden.

For season seven in 2013 the show moved to the Nine Network. Dawn French, Geri Halliwell and Timomatic who is the additional fourth judge joined the panel as replacements for McFadden and Minogue. On 4 April 2014, it was announced that Nine had axed Australia's Got Talent due to low ratings.[4] On 8 July 2015, Nine announced that the show would be returning in 2016 for an eighth season.[5][6] The Nine Network aired season eight in 2016, with four new judges: Kelly Osbourne, Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Sophie Monk and Eddie Perfect.

In December 2018, Seven announced the series would be returning to their network in 2019 for a ninth season.[7] The ninth season, with Ricki-Lee Coulter as host, returned on 28 July 2019.[8]

In June 2021, Seven announced a new season and judging panel; however due to COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney, the production of the season was postponed to 2022, with Shane Jacobson returning, alongside Kate Ritchie, and Britain’s Got Talent judges David Walliams and Alesha Dixon. The tenth season premiered on 9 October 2022.[9]

Overview

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Australia's Got Talent is a talent show that features performers of all ages competing for a top prize of between A$100,000 and A$250,000.

The season consists of three stages: auditions, semi-finals, and a final. Only highlights are screened from the auditions. Some seasons included auditions in different cities. The judges cull down the approved audition acts to about 40 acts for the semi-finals.

In most seasons, the semi-finals included a public vote, with a combination of public and judges' choices making the final. Also in the first series, during the semi-finals stage, each judge buzzed either a cross, or a tick. In Season 9, there is no public voting in the semi-finals.

The logo used for the first, seventh and ninth seasons of Australia's Got Talent is similar to the logo used by America's Got Talent. The logo during the second to sixth seasons and season eight is similar to that used by Britain's Got Talent.

Judges and hosts

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Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2016 2019 2022
Hosts
Grant Denyer Main
Julia Morris Main
Dave Hughes Main
Ricki-Lee Coulter Main
Judging Panelists
Dannii Minogue Main
Red Symons Main
Tom Burlinson Main
Brian McFadden Main
Kyle Sandilands Main
Dawn French Main
Timomatic Main
Geri Halliwell Main
Eddie Perfect Main
Kelly Osbourne Main
Sophie Monk Main
Ian Dickson Main
Lucy Durack Main
Nicole Scherzinger Main
Manu Feildel Main
Shane Jacobson Main
Alesha Dixon Main
David Walliams Main
Kate Ritchie Main
Notes
  1. ^ Todd McKenney served as a temporary replacement for Kyle Sandilands at the Melbourne auditions and filled in for Brian McFadden during the second final showdown during the sixth season.

Judges

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The original three judges were Dannii Minogue, Red Symons and Tom Burlinson.[10] For the second series, all judges returned, though Minogue was absent for numerous episodes as she was busy filming The X Factor in the United Kingdom.[3] The judges later returned for series 3.[11]

In January 2010, it was made known that the judging panel would undergo a new line-up to accommodate Minogue's pregnancy.[12] Judge Red Symons was strongly tipped to return to the Nine Network to be part of the revived Hey Hey It's Saturday, while Tom Burlinson was rumoured to be dumped from the judging panel.[12] Rumours then began to circulate that Kyle Sandilands and Brian McFadden would be the new judges.[12] On 4 February 2010, Sandilands confirmed on his 2Day FM breakfast radio show that he would be a judge.[13] A press release from the Seven Network on 17 February, confirmed McFadden would also join the new judging panel.[14] All judges returned for the fifth and sixth series of the programme.[15][16][17]

Due to the programme's move to Nine Network in 2013, Sandilands returned as a judge, whilst Minogue and McFadden were axed.[18] Timomatic, Geri Halliwell and Dawn French were announced as the new judges.[19][20]

After it was announced that Australia's Got Talent would be returning to screens in 2016, it was announced that there would be a complete new judging panel, with Sandilands, Halliwell, French and Timomatic being axed.[5][6] It was later confirmed that Ian Dickson, Sophie Monk, Kelly Osbourne and Eddie Perfect would become the new judges.[21]

In May 2019, Manu Feildel, Nicole Scherzinger, Lucy Durack and Shane Jacobson were announced as the judging panel for season 9.[22]

In June 2022, it was announced that the season 10 judging panel would consist of Jacobson, Kate Ritchie, and Britain’s Got Talent judges David Walliams and Alesha Dixon.

Presenters

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Judges

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Series overview

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Season Start Finish Winner Runner-up(s) Host Judges (chair order) Network
1 2 3 4
1 18 February 2007 28 April 2007 Bonnie Anderson Herb Patten Grant Denyer Red Symons Dannii Minogue Tom Burlinson Seven Network
2 29 April 2008 1 July 2008 Joe Robinson Jourdain
3 4 February 2009 22 April 2009 Mark Vincent Jal Joshua
4 13 April 2010 15 June 2010 Justice Crew Cam Henderson Brian McFadden Kyle Sandilands
5 3 May 2011 2 August 2011 Jack Vidgen Cosentino
6 16 April 2012 25 July 2012 Andrew De Silva The Wolfe Brothers
7 11 August 2013 10 November 2013 Uncle Jed Greg Gould Julia Morris Dawn French Timomatic Geri Halliwell Kyle Sandilands Nine Network
8 1 February 2016 14 March 2016 Fletcher Pilon Chris Tamwoy King Social Matt McLaren Sisters Doll Dave Hughes Eddie Perfect Kelly Osbourne Sophie Monk Ian Dickson
9 28 July 2019 22 September 2019 Kristy Sellars Sienna Osborne Olina Loau Jennifer Anderson Ricki-Lee Coulter Shane Jacobson Lucy Durack Nicole Scherzinger Manu Feildel Seven Network
10 9 October 2022 20 November 2022 Acromazing Ramadhani Brothers Emo Majok Walison Muh Sienna Katelyn Oleg Tatarynov Alesha Dixon Kate Ritchie David Walliams

Season 1 (2007)

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The first season of Australia's Got Talent premiered on Seven Network on 18 February 2007. The original judges were Dannii Minogue, Tom Burlinson and Red Symons. Singer Bonnie Anderson was crowned the winner of the first season on 28 April 2007, followed by Herb Patten finishing as runner-up.

Season 2 (2008)

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The second season of Australia's Got Talent began broadcasting on 29 April 2008 and finished airing on 1 July. Minogue, Burlinson and Symons all returned as judges. The winner was announced as guitarist Joe Robinson, with Jourdain as runner-up.

Season 3 (2009)

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Auditions for the third season started in late 2008 and successful contestants were notified in December 2008. Filming began on 15 January 2009.

The winner was declared on 22 April 2009. This grand finale followed the same format as the 2008 one: acts were eliminated in pairs, as well as each judge picking their favourite act to reappear on the show once more. Mark Vincent won the season, while Jal Joshua became the runner-up. On the grand finale, international opera singer and winner of Britain's Got Talent series one, Paul Potts performed live in the studio.

Season 4 (2010)

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The fourth season of Australia's Got Talent returned on 13 April 2010.[23] Grant Denyer continued as host, while radio DJ Kyle Sandilands and Irish singer Brian McFadden joined Dannii Minogue on the judging panel as replacements for Red Symons and Tom Burlinson.[23] Auditions for the season took place throughout February 2010 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.[24]

The show was revamped to look more like Britain's Got Talent, in terms of the stage and the shape of the X's used. The opening was also changed to look similar to Britain's Got Talent's opening, with Australian landmarks instead of British landmarks. Previously, the Australia's Got Talent opening was simply a display of the title. The live shows began on 11 May 2010 and ended on 15 June 2010, where dance troupe Justice Crew were crowned the winners.[25] They were awarded a prize of $250,000,[25] while runner-up Cam Henderson was awarded a runner-up prize of performing at the 2010 AFL Grand Final.[25]

Season 5 (2011)

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The fifth season of Australia's Got Talent returned on 3 May 2011.[15] All judges (Dannii Minogue, Kyle Sandilands and Brian McFadden) returned for the season, including host Grant Denyer.[15] The producer auditions took place in 16 cities, throughout New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[26] The successful acts from the auditions were then invited to a second audition in front of the judges and a live audience. These auditions began in Gold Coast on 19 February 2011, followed by three days in Melbourne from 25 February 2011.[27] They also took place in Sydney on 12–13 March 2011, and ended in Perth on 20 March 2011.[27]

The season was won by 14-year-old singer Jack Vidgen.[28]

Season 6 (2012)

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Auditions began in October 2011 and concluded in December 2011.[29] The sixth season aired on the Seven Network from 16 April 2012 to 25 July 2012. Once again, Dannii Minogue, Kyle Sandilands and Brian McFadden returned as judges and Grant Denyer returned as host.[30] Sandilands was sick during the Melbourne auditions, so Todd McKenney replaced him.[31] McKenney took the place of McFadden during the finals showdown 2. The winner was singer Andrew de Silva with country rock band, The Wolfe Brothers becoming the runner-up.

Season 7 (2013)

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Auditions began in March 2013 and concluded in June 2013.[32] The seventh season aired on the Nine Network in 2013.[33] Kyle Sandilands returned to the judging panel, while Dannii Minogue and Brian McFadden were replaced by three new judges Geri Halliwell, Dawn French and Timomatic who is the additional fourth judge.[34] Julia Morris replaced Grant Denyer as the host.[34] Mel B was originally due to join the judging panel, however an injunction sought by the Seven Network in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in March 2013 blocked her from appearing.[35] The winner was "Funk/Soul/Jazz/Reggae" band, Uncle Jed,[36] with band Greg Gould and The Chase becoming the runner-up.

Season 8 (2016)

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On 8 July 2015, Nine announced that the show would be returning in 2016 for an eighth season. On Monday 4 January, it was announced that Season eight will be on Monday 1 February.[5][6] It is the second season to air on Nine after it was axed in 2013.[37][38] Auditions are open for September and October 2015.[39] On 28 October 2015, it was announced that Sandilands, Halliwell, French and Timomatic have been replaced with a new panel of judges, they are Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Sophie Monk, Kelly Osbourne and Eddie Perfect.[21] Morris will not return as host as she is committed to another show and will be replaced by Dave Hughes as the host. For the first time, it will now include the Golden Buzzer.[40][41] It premiered on 1 February 2016, and ended on 14 March 2016.[42] The winner was Fletcher Pilon[43]

Season 9 (2019)

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In December 2018, Seven Network announced that the series would return in 2019 to their network for a ninth season, after a three-year hiatus.[44][45] In May 2019, Seven announced Nicole Scherzinger, Shane Jacobson, Manu Feildel and Lucy Durack as the series judges,[46] and Ricki-Lee Coulter as the host.[47] The season ran from 28 July to 22 September 2019.[8]

Unlike previous seasons, there was no public voting at the semi-final stage. In the final, the judges chose a top four, which was then chosen by SMS votes from viewers in the eastern states. The final was pre-recorded, with four different endings filmed, one for each of the four possible winners. The winner of the season was pole dancer Kristy Sellars.[48][49]

The entirety of the season was Pre-Recorded.

Season 10 (2022)

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Season 10 was originally scheduled to air in 2020, with filming set to commence in March 2020. The Seven Network announced a judging panel of Shane Jacobson, Manu Feildel and new judges Sonia Kruger and Olympia Valance with returning host Ricki-Lee Coulter. Production was however halted due to Covid-19 restrictions.

It was then confirmed that season 10 would air in 2021. In June 2021, Seven announced a new judging panel featuring Shane Jacobson with new judges Neil Patrick Harris, Alesha Dixon and Kate Ritchie. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney the season was postponed once again.[50] During Seven’s annual upfronts, it was confirmed the series will air in 2022.[51][52]

Season 10 began airing on 9 October 2022. The judging panel had another change from what was announced in 2021, with Harris being replaced by David Walliams. Ricki-Lee Coulter returned as host.[9]

The season was filmed during June and July 2022. Auditions took place at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, while the finals were filmed at the Riverside Theatre.

The winner of the season was dance group Acromazing.

Viewership

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Season Network Premiere date Finale date Episodes Premiere
ratings
Rank Finale ratings
(Grand final)
Rank Finale ratings
(Winner announced)
Rank Average
series viewers
Average
rank
One Seven Network 18 February 2007 28 April 2007 11
Two 29 April 2008 1 July 2008 10 1.358 #4 1.733[a] #1[a] 1.587[a] #1[a] 1.306 #2
Three 4 February 2009 22 April 2009 12 1.314 #3 1.510[a] #1[a] 1.610[a] #1[a] 1.342 #3
Four 13 April 2010 15 June 2010 10 1.493 #2 1.831[a] #1[a] 1.939[a] #1[a] 1.561 #3
Five 3 May 2011 2 August 2011 18 1.563 #2 2.316[b] #2[b] 2.855[b] #1[b] 1.702 #1
Six 16 April 2012 25 July 2012 21 1.196 #6 1.109[a] #4[a] 0.998[a] #7[a] 1.031 #8
Seven Nine Network 11 August 2013 10 November 2013 14 1.044 #6 1.116[b] #4[b] 1.391[b] #1[b] 1.026 #5
Eight 1 February 2016 14 March 2016 13 0.865 #10 0.761[b] #12[b] 0.908[b] #6[b] 0.740 #10
Nine Seven Network 28 July 2019 22 September 2019 13 0.875 #4 0.791[b] #4[b] 0.771[b] #5[b] 0.783 #6
Ten 9 October 2022 20 November 2022 11 1.136 #4 0.941[b] #5[b] - - 0.895 #7
  • a The Grand Final & Winner Announced are separated into 2 episodes
  • b The Grand Final & Winner Announced are in one episode

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominee Result
2009 Logie Awards[53] Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Australia's Got Talent Nominated
Most Popular Presenter Grant Denyer Nominated
2012 Logie Awards[54] Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Australia's Got Talent Nominated
Most Outstanding Light Entertainment Program Nominated
2014 Logie Awards[55] Most Popular New Talent Timomatic Nominated
2023 Logie Awards[56] Most Popular Entertainment Program Australia's Got Talent Nominated

References

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  1. ^ While the show is filmed in Sydney and most contestants and judges are Australian, contestants are generally from Australia or New Zealand, following the end of New Zealand's Got Talent. In addition, it is screened in New Zealand.
  2. ^ "Australia's Got Talent | Television New Zealand | Entertainment | TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2".
  3. ^ a b "Airdate: Australia's Got Talent". 14 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Seven says axing Australia's Got Talent was the right decision". 13 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "Australia's Got Talent – 2015". Fmashows.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "The Voice and Australia's Got Talent back on Nine in 2016". If Magazine. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Australia's Got Talent returning to Seven". TV Tonight. 3 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b Knox, David (13 July 2019). "Returning: Australia's Got Talent". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  9. ^ a b Bryne, Fiona (5 June 2022). "Britain's Got Talent Judge David Walliams to Join Australia's Got Talent". Herald Sun.
  10. ^ "Grant Denyer to host Australia's Got Talent" (PDF) (Press release). Seven Network. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 3 February 2007.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Week 6". TV Tonight.
  12. ^ a b c "Vile Kyle Sandilands could judge again on Australia's Got Talent". News.com.au. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  13. ^ "Kyle Sandilands returns to TV as Australia's Got Talent judge". The Australian. Sydney: News Limited. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  14. ^ Cameron (17 February 2010). "Brian McFadden joins the judging panel on 'Australia's Got Talent'". TVcentral.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  15. ^ a b c Joe (20 April 2011). "Australia's Got Talent 2011 premieres Tuesday May 3". TVcentral.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2011.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Kate McMahon and Colin Vickery (2 August 2011). "Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vigden has the world at his feet". Herald Sun. Australia. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  17. ^ Yahoo! 7 (30 September 2011). "Australia's Got Talent". Yahoo!. Australia: Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Australia's Got Talent set to audition on the Coffs Coast".
  19. ^ "Dawn Heads Down Under For Talent Show".
  20. ^ "Timomatic announced as next Australia's Got Talent judge". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  21. ^ a b "Nine Upfronts 2016: Nine goes HD, new lifestyle channel -and Daryl Somers returns". 28 October 2015.
  22. ^ Knox, David (1 May 2019). "Australia's Got Talent judging panel 2019". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  23. ^ a b Knox, David (1 April 2010). "Returning: Australia's Got Talent". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  24. ^ Cameron (19 January 2010). "'Australia's Got Talent' audition dates". TVcentral.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  25. ^ a b c Washbrook, Cyril (15 June 2010). "Justice Crew wins Australia's Got Talent". The Spy Report. Media Spy. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  26. ^ Knox, David (24 September 2010). "Auditions: Australia's Got Talent". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  27. ^ a b Lowie (27 January 2011). "Dannii, Kyle and Brian return to judge Australia's Talent". The Spy Report. Media Spy. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  28. ^ "Jack Vidgen wins Australia's Got Talent". The Spy Report. Media Spy. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  29. ^ "Australia's Got Auditions!". Yahoo! 7. Yahoo!. 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Australia's Got Talent - Official Website". Yahoo! 7. Yahoo!. 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Todd, isn't that Kyle's spot?".
  32. ^ "Non-Existent Domain". May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  33. ^ "Nine's got Australia's Got Talent".
  34. ^ a b "Reference at www.perthnow.com.au".
  35. ^ Gardiner, Stephanie (18 April 2013). "Mel B blocked from Australia's Got Talent role".
  36. ^ "Uncle Jed". Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  37. ^ "Nine reviving Australia's Got Talent. Renewed: The Voice". 8 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Nine to revive Australia's Got Talent in 2016 - Mumbrella". 8 July 2015.
  39. ^ Galvin, Nick (8 July 2015). "Nine bringing back Australia's Got Talent, The Voice".
  40. ^ "Back from the Dead! Australia's Got Talent returns to Nine in 2016". Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  41. ^ "Subscribe to the Herald Sun".[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ Knox, David (5 January 2016). "Airdate: Australia's Got Talent". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  43. ^ Knox, David (28 December 2016). "Axed in 2016". news.com.au. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  44. ^ Knox, David (3 December 2018). "Australia's Got Talent returning to Seven". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  45. ^ "Australia's Got Talent is coming to 7 in 2019". 7plus.com.au. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  46. ^ Knox, David (1 May 2019). "Australia's Got Talent judging panel 2019". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  47. ^ Knox, David (5 May 2019). "Ricki-Lee to host Australia's Got Talent". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  48. ^ "Australia's Got Talent: Viewers angry over voting app fail"., news.com.au, 23 September 2019
  49. ^ "Kristy Sellars wins Australia's Got Talent 2019". 23 September 2019., TV Tonight, 23 September 2019
  50. ^ Knox, David (29 June 2021). "Seven postpones Australia's Got Talent". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  51. ^ Knox, David (12 October 2021). "Upfronts 2022: Seven". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  52. ^ Molk, Steve (12 October 2021). "Upfronts: MKR + House Rules resurrected; Australian Idol returns; new drama Claremont - Seven in 2022". TV Tonight. TV Black Box. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  53. ^ Knox, David (4 May 2009). "2009 Logie Awards: Winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  54. ^ Knox, David (15 April 2012). "2012 Logie Awards: Winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  55. ^ Knox, David (27 April 2014). "Logie Awards 2014: Winners". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  56. ^ Knox, David (19 June 2023). "2023 Logie Awards: Noms". TV Tonight. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
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