Ryan Seacrest re-signs with ABC to continue as American Idol host

Ryan Seacrest has inked a new deal to stay on as host of “American Idol,” extending his run with the long-running competition through its 24th overall season and ninth on ABC.The agreement, which was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, comes two weeks after judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood renewed their contracts for the 2026 edition.Virtual auditions for the new cycle are already underway.Seacrest, 50, has been the only on-camera figure to appear on every season of “American Idol” since its 2002 debut, guiding the program through network shifts and format changes.“American Idol” aired on Fox from 2002 to 2016 before being revived on ABC in 2018.

Since its inception, the show has continuously retooled its format, with major changes to auditions, voting, round structure and judge panels since its 2002 debut.Updates have included curated pre-audition screenings, shifting semifinal formats, new mentoring roles like an “artist in residence,” expanded live voting through apps and social media and pandemic-era remote performances.

The 2026 season is scheduled to premiere in the first quarter.Last season, “American Idol” drew 7.25 million cross-platform viewers over five weeks for its Sunday broadcasts, with Monday episodes pulling a smaller but steady audience.The show’s seven-day linear numbers — 5.87 million on Sundays and 5.15 million on Mondays — held level with the prior year.Sign up to receive On The Money by Charlie Gasparino in your inbox every Thursday.

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Never miss a story.Produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, the series remains a flagship title for ABC.Megan Wolflick continues as showrunner and executive producer alongside Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman of 19 Entertainment.Seacrest is one of television’s highest-paid personalities, earning about $...