Ryan Seacrest to Be the Richest Reality TV Host
Ryan Seacrest is now the richest reality TV host ever.
The American Idol host, 34, has inked a three-year deal with CKX, parent of Idol producer 19 Entertainment, worth $15 million per year, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Under the deal, Seacrest will be exclusive to CKX in broadcast TV primetime to host Idol or any CKX-produced show that might succeed it. The deal had been in the works for the past several weeks.
With his new pact, Seacrest now more than triples his previous salary of slightly less than $5 million per season.
Seacrest will still maintain a cable agreement with Comcast and his gig as E! Entertainment’s main anchor. He’ll also continue producing Keeping Up with the Kardashians for E! and an upcoming Jamie Oliver ABC reality show.
Reps for the star had no comment.
Now that Seacrest is secured on the show, the Reporter says that Idol wants to ink deals with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi for next season.
Simon Cowell’s future remains up in the air, however.
He has said he may leave the show when his contract is up at the end of next season. British reports claim he has asked to be paid in excess of $100 million a season.
