Ryan Seacrest Nears New Megadeal

[scoobydoo]

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This is ... a rich new deal for "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.
Ryan Seacrest Nears New Megadeal



The ubiquitous Seacrest is putting the finishing touches on a contract extension with "Idol" co-producer 19 Entertainment to continue to emcee the top-rated series on TV.

The pact, which is believed to be for three years, will give Seacrest a major pay raise and make him one of the highest-paid reality hosts on television. He made slightly less than $5 million this season for his work on "Idol," which breaks down to about $100,000 per episode.

Additionally, Seacrest is said to be expanding his relationship with 19 Entertainment, possibly to develop series with 19 principal and "Idol" creator Simon Fuller.

"Idol" is produced jointly by 19, Fremantle and Fox. All declined to comment on Seacrest's new deal, as did his attorneys at Hansen Jacobson, but the agreement is expected to be announced Monday.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8048016

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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.
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/ryan-seacrest-signs-deal-to-become-richest-reality-tv-host-2009137