Simon Cowell is set to replace Howard Stern as a judge for Season 11 of the NBC reality show "America's Got Talent."

The 56-year-old Cowell is credited with creating the competition show's wildly popular format, which has helped it to become a worldwide phenomenon since launching in 2006. In addition, he has also served as a judge for both the U.S. and U.K. versions of "The X Factor," and was previously a judge on "American Idol."

In a statement, Cowell said, "I am really thrilled to be joining 'America's Got Talent' next season. What I love about this show is that it's open to absolutely anyone. America has some fantastic talent just waiting to be discovered, and I would like that talent to come to our show, including any dogs who can sing."

Variety reports the outspoken Cowell joins the judge's table at a good time. Last year's season of "AGT" averaged nearly 13 million viewers, the show's most watched campaign in four years.

"Simon knows this format better than anyone and he's been producing the show with us since the beginning, so we're thrilled to have him step in front of the camera and take his rightful place at the head of the judges' panel," NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said.

Auditions for the new season are already underway, with Detroit next playing the role of host city on Dec. 7. The show is slated to return to the airways in the summer of 2016.

After the announcement was made official, Cowell took to Twitter to post, "The good news is America's Got Talent is back next year and the even better news is so am I."

Back in June, Stern announced he was leaving the show after four seasons.

"I'm going through my own career evaluation right now," he said on his Sirius radio show. "In all seriousness, I've told you, I'm just too f*cking busy ... something's got to give."