Ryan Seacrest to Host American Idol Reboot – Official Announcement! (VIDEO) (UPDATED)

Ryan Seacrest announced on Live with Kelly and Ryan this morning: He’ll be hosting the ABC reboot of American Idol YAY!

I caught part of Live‘s opening segment where Seacrest mentioned the auditions beginning soon (August) and that eliminated contestants will appear every week on the show.

As recently reported, negotiation for Seacrest’s return were complicated. The sticking point was salary (ABC attempted to low ball him) and the former host’s desire for an executive producer credit.

UPDATE: According to Variety, Seacrest will earn about $12 million for his role on the show this season. But, he will NOT receive executive producer credit.  By the way, host Carson Daly is an executive producer on The Voice.

He will, however, have creative consultation and approval on judges and other production issues, Variety has confirmed. Sources say the negotiations were protracted due to questions about his complicated schedule and other commitments.

Read the FULL press release announcing Seacrest’s return to American Idol HERE.  Seacrest is not planning to ditch any of his many jobs. He’ll still continue hosting and executive producing “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show from his iHeart studio at New York’s ABC7, home of Live.

Seacrest will join Katy Perry who will be paid a reported 25 million dollars to sit on the judges panel. Lionel Richie is reportedly in talks (more or less confirmed in an interview with Seacrest yesterday). Metal rocker Nikki Sixx is reportedly also in the running.

American Idol is set to air on ABC Spring 2018.

Live with Kelly & Ryan announcement

More from Kelly & Ryan

Seacrest released a statement:

“It’s genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me,” Seacrest said in a statement. “I’m so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it’s allowed me to experience. It’s been an incredible journey from day one. To be asked to return this year, at my new home at ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal. I believe ABC is the perfect home for Idol, and I’ve every confidence the show’s legions of fans will love it – especially Idol‘s best traditions of showcasing heartwarming stories, remarkable talent discovery, and, best of all, making dreams come true.”

Statement from ABC

“So much of American Idol‘s overwhelming success can be attributed to Ryan, whose larger-than-life personality and laudable dedication to creating quality entertainment has made him a true master of his craft,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said in a statement. “His talent is limitless, and I can’t think of a more appropriate person to honor the Idol legacy as it takes on new life than the man who has been there through it all.”

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!