Posted on 07/13/2009 12:21:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Ryan Seacrest is Fox's 45-Million-Dollar Man.
The “American Idol" host has closed a major new three-year deal with CKX, parent of “Idol” producer 19 Entertainment, worth $15 million per year.
Under the pact, which is believed to be the richest ever for a reality host, Seacrest will be exclusive to CKX in broadcast TV primetime to host “Idol” or any CKX-produced show that might succeed it.
The pact, which had been in the works for the past several weeks, gives Seacrest a gigantic pay raise, more than trippling his previous salary of slightly less than $5 million per season.
"Idol" producers 19, FremantleMedia North America and Fox all declined to comment on Seacrest's new deal, as did his attorneys at Hansen Jacobson. The pact is expected to be announced Monday.
The three-year deal gives CKX exclusivity on Seacrest’s on-camera services for broadcast TV. Seacrest has a separate cable deal with Comcast and is E! Entertainment’s lead anchor. He also produces such shows as E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and ABC's upcoming Jamie Oliver reality series.
With Seacrest’s renegotiation out of the way, the “Idol” producers will focus on securing the show’s judges for next season.
Uber judge Simon Cowell has made statements that he might leave the singing competition when his contract is up at the end of next season. The British media has pegged his salary demands for staying on the show at more than $100 million per year.
The other judges -- Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi -- all have said they hope to close deals to return next season.
While the ratings for the reality juggernaut have slipped in the past couple of years, "Idol" remains the highest-rated series on television by a mile and is a windfall for its producers.
TV ratings are down. Advertisers are down. Recession continues and this guys gets $45M. Ahhh ! such is life...
Brian Dunkelman has got to be kicking himself
I am no Idol fan but couldn’t any competent host get the job done fir a lot less.
That’s $10 million for every foot he is tall... not bad.
“””That’s $10 million for every foot he is tall””””
...and got more ***** than Gerry got curls.
Why?? He is the dumbest and least relevant part of the show
After all he is in the upper 1% of the wealthy.
We need Opossum to come out and make a statement such as,
“And the US will use 2/3rds of this 45 million to extend unemployment benfits in urban centers. Like I’ve said of bankers and auto-industry CEOs; no one, not even celebrities, should earn this much money.”
Not really. While Seacrest is often the target of my jokes, the fact is that he's a once-in-a-generation personality, essentially the successor to Dick Clark. It's a combination of instinct, timing, personality, etc., that "any competent host" just can't match.
He is beyond annoying.
Ugh. Something about him makes my skin crawl.
His comment to the crazy singer about staying on her knees was more than a little disgusting.
hey more power to him...make it while you can.
It is amazing that so many people watch that tripe.
Doesn’t Ryan Seacrest ever rest ? He’s everywhere all at once.
From his early morning radio show in L.A. to American Top 40 to producing shows to American Idol.... some people can’t even get one job and here he is with multiple jobs.
Go to college on scholarships and then refuse to treat medicare patients?
Thankfully, our local Med-Emerge takes no insurance except Medicare.
He appeals to the Demographics of the show..he is talented..stays calm....has the right words for the moment...The Show makes about $ 900 Million...
When you change a show around, people stop watching....
Yes it is.
It is also an illustration of how idiotic people can be while participating in capitalism.
And also an illistration of how those in capitalism make what they think are really good decisions initially, only to find later they are realy, really stupid choices. Like ‘bankrupting the company’ kind of stupid.
Wow, 45 million. He is about to make some man very very happy. LOL
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