Ryan Seacrest Inks New Deal For 'American Idol'

As expected, Ryan Seacrest has re-upped his deal to continue as host of Fox’s American Idol for two more seasons. For the last few months, Seacrest had been negotiating both an extension for Idol and a new wide-reaching overall deal with NBCUniversal. The latter is almost completed. It has not been announced yet but it became clear that, aside from a stunt during NBC’s coverage of the London Summer Olympics, it does not include major primetime hosting duties because Seacrest was continuing on Idol, where he is expected to stay close to his current salary of $15 million a year. Here is the release:

Emmy Award-nominated Ryan Seacrest will continue as host of AMERICAN IDOL, broadcast television’s No. 1 show. Seacrest has served as host of AMERICAN IDOL since its debut on June 11, 2002. Over the past decade, he has guided the IDOL contestants and judges through each season’s incredible journey, from the first tickets to Hollywood to every star-studded finale. Seacrest has introduced every guest performer, played referee with the judges and was the first to announce and congratulate each of the winners.  (more…)