Television hosting
In 1993, Seacrest hosted the first season of ESPN's Radical Outdoor Challenge. He also hosted three children's game shows, Gladiators 2000 from 1994 to 1996 (a spin-off of the television show, American Gladiators), Wild Animal Games in 1995, and Click in 1997. He appeared as the host of the fictional game show Lover's Lane on Beverly Hills, 90210 in "The Final Proof". In the fall and winter of 2000, he was the host of the NBC Saturday Night Movie. During commercial breaks he offered trivia on the film and a chance to win prizes by answering online on NBCi. In 2001, he hosted a reality television program, Ultimate Revenge, where elaborate practical jokes were played on family and friends instigated by their own relatives and friends. It was shown on TNN from 2001 to 2003.
In 2002, Seacrest accepted the position as co-host of a new Fox reality television series American Idol with comedian Brian Dunkleman. The following year he became the sole host after Dunkleman resigned. The show increased in popularity and was seen by an average of 26 million viewers weekly; Seacrest became recognizable around the world. In 2003, he hosted the spin-off show, American Juniors. In July 2009, he signed a deal with CKX for $45 million to continue to host American Idol which made him the highest paid reality television host at the time. In April 2012, he signed a two-year $30 million deal to continue as host of American Idol. In May 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that he had signed a one-year deal with the option of signing for another year. He remained host of the series until the end of its original run in April 2016. The following May, it was announced that ABC had won a multi-network bidding war for the rights to the show. On July 20, 2017, he announced on Live with Kelly and Ryan that he would be the host of an Idol revival. His initial multi-year deal was reported to be worth over $10 million.
In August 2005, it was announced that Seacrest would become executive producer and co-host of ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. On December 31, 2005, Seacrest performed much of the show's hosting duties; Dick Clark's role was limited by speech and mobility issues due to his recovery from a stroke.
In 2009, ABC renamed the program Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest, acknowledging Seacrest's increasingly comprehensive role. He co-hosted the show delivering ABC's biggest New Year's numbers in twelve years, with 22.8 million viewers.
When Clark died, Seacrest publicly remembered his mentor's impact on his life in a special tribute in The Hollywood Reporter. After Clark's death, Seacrest hosted the 2013 edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with co-hosts Jenny McCarthy and Fergie paying tribute to Clark in the pre-show. In October 2013, Seacrest signed a multi-year contract extension with Dick Clark Productions to continue as host and executive producer of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. In 2017, Seacrest hosted Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve for the 13th consecutive year alongside McCarthy, who had co-hosted for eight years. The show had 25.6 million viewers, the highest in six years. The 2019–20 edition of Rockin' Eve marked his 15th consecutive year as the host and Lucy Hale also hosted. Recently, he received a multi-year deal extension to continue hosting the show.
In January 2006, American cable channel E! announced a three-year, $21-million deal for Seacrest to host various programs, including E! News and its red-carpet awards show coverages. In April 2012, Seacrest signed a deal with NBCUniversal expanding his on-air role beyond E! to NBC. He contributed to the Today Show, Olympics coverage, entertainment programming, as well as news and other special events. Seacrest remains as managing editor of E! News and hosts and produces its red-carpet awards show coverage.
In September 2012, Seacrest left E! News and was replaced by Terrence J.
Seacrest was an NBC correspondent for the 2012 London Olympic Games and co-hosted the closing ceremony with Bob Costas and Al Michaels. In 2016, Seacrest hosted NBC's live late-night coverage for the Rio Olympic Games.
After a year-long search, on May 1, 2017, it was announced that Seacrest would join Kelly Ripa as host of Live with Kelly and Ryan as her new permanent co-host and executive producer. Seacrest succeeded Michael Strahan, who left the show the previous year. Seacrest started work on the day of the announcement. By December 2017 the show was averaging over 3 million viewers.
On February 16, 2023, Seacrest announced that he would be leaving Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years in April 2023, primarily due to traveling as his primary residence is in Los Angeles, while the show tapes in New York City. Seacrest made his last appearance as full-time host on April 14, 2023. Mark Consuelos, husband of Kelly Ripa, replaced him full-time on April 17, 2023.
Seacrest has stated, however, that he would return to guest host whenever Consuelos is unavailable.
On June 27, 2023, The New York Times reported that Seacrest would become the new host of Wheel of Fortune to replace Pat Sajak, who announced his retirement from hosting two weeks earlier, starting with the show's 42nd season in fall 2024, citing "two people familiar with the plan". Seacrest and Sony would later confirm the news in separate releases. Seacrest began hosting duties on September 9, 2024. Despite this, Sajak remained as host of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in its fifth season. Seacrest took over hosting duties for the following season.
Starting in 2003, Seacrest occasionally served as a substitute host on the CNN television program Larry King Live, and co-hosted Larry King's final show with Bill Maher on December 16, 2010. In 2013, Seacrest hosted The Million Second Quiz which was an interactive game show on NBC. Seacrest hosted Knock Knock Live in 2015, which premiered on Fox. The show featured celebrities arriving at the door of ordinary people who have done something special and giving them a prize. However, the show was cancelled after two episodes.
