Ryan Seacrest Signs Two-Year Deal w/ "American Idol"

[JamesG]

Ryan Seacrest Inks New Two-Year Deal to Stay with "American Idol"
4/23/2012
by Lacey Rose


Ryan Seacrest is staying put at "American Idol".

As he hinted during an interview on the "Today" show earlier this month, Seacrest will remain with the singing competition show he's hosted since its launch in 2002. He has inked a two-year pact, which will pay him $15 million annually.

The news comes as "Idol", now in its 11th season, has seen its ratings post double-digit declines, down more than 20 percent in total viewers compared with a year earlier.

His most recent three-year pact, which included his services on "Idol" as well as other potential projects with the company, paid him $45 million (or $15 million per year).





Fox executives were said to be particularly eager to keep Seacrest, who has been dubbed "the glue" that keeps "Idol" together, in the fold. Show producers and network execs "cannot envision the show without Ryan," one "Idol" insider tells THR.

"The goal has always been to keep him."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ido...ew-deal-311010