Comprehensive Deal With One of the Nation's Premier Broadcast
Personalities Calls for Original Series Production Under Seacrest's
Own Production Banner Along With Key Role On E! News, E!'s Live From the
Red Carpet and Celebrity Interview Specials
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- E! Entertainment Television has
reached an agreement with national broadcast superstar Ryan Seacrest for a
comprehensive multi-year deal that calls for the popular personality to appear
both on-air as well as develop and produce multiple series projects for the
network via his Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) banner, it was announced today
by Ted Harbert, President and CEO, E! Networks.
Under terms of the pact, Seacrest will become managing editor and lead
anchor of "E! News" in March, along with current anchor Giuliana DePandi.
Additionally, he will serve as Executive Producer and Tower Host of E!'s "Live
From the Red Carpet," beginning with the Golden Globe(R) Awards on Monday,
January 16, and moving on to produce and host a series of celebrity interview
specials. At the same time, RSP is poised to become a key supplier of series
programming to E! Networks, with the option to sell to other networks should a
concept not fit E!'s current needs.
The E! deal turns Seacrest into a quadruple threat with preeminent
positions in the worlds of broadcast television, nationally syndicated radio,
local radio and now cable. He is already celebrated internationally as host of
the top-rated primetime talent showcase "American Idol" and the world's most
popular radio countdown show, "American Top 40," as well as his market-topping
L.A. morning drivetime radio show for Clear Channel's 102.7 KIIS-FM. Seacrest
will now broadcast the KIIS program from his new state-of-the-art studio at E!
Networks headquarters in Los Angeles.
"This is a huge coup for E! and demonstrates how committed we are about
being the dominant entertainment authority," said Harbert. "Not only will we
benefit immensely from Ryan's extraordinary ability as a broadcaster, his
crystal clear vision of our brand will make him an extremely valuable supplier
of original programming. His talent, popularity and easygoing on-screen charm
have earned him millions of fans who will follow him to E! He is the very
best at what he does."
"I am looking forward to being part of the E! team," said Seacrest. "This
unique opportunity allows my company to take the next step in providing
multimedia content."
Seacrest will continue on as host of the iconic series that landed him on
the international map, "American Idol," as well as a fill-in host for CNN's
top rated "Larry King Live." The latest development under RSP is Seacrest's
new position as co-host, while being groomed to be sole host, of the American
institution "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." This year will mark the
first in a multi-year deal that finds him presiding over and executive
producing the New Year's Eve special under his production banner.
Radio, too, will remain a significant force in Seacrest's work life with
his hosting of the weekly "American Top 40" as well as the top-rated L.A.
radio morning show "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" for 102.7 KIIS FM. Both shows
have risen to #1 status since Seacrest has taken the reigns.
Seacrest's explosive and ever-expanding broadcast career has earned him
accolades within the industry and his fans, from his recently awarded star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame for radio, and as one of People Magazine's "50 Most
Beautiful," as well as one of its 2005 "Most Eligible Bachelors." With Ryan
Seacrest Productions (RSP) becoming a leading entity producing and hosting
multiple television and radio specials, his many restaurant investments, as
well as the launch of fashion powerhouse The R Line, Seacrest is fast becoming
a major force in Hollywood.
About E! Networks
Based in Los Angeles, E! Networks is the world's largest producer and
distributor of entertainment news and lifestyle-related programming. The
company operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with
programming dedicated to the world of entertainment; The Style Network, the
destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and
inspiring lifestyle programming, and E! Online, located at Eonline.com. E! is
currently available to 87 million cable and direct broadcast satellite
subscribers in the U.S. The Style Network currently counts 42 million
subscribers. Internationally, E! programming can be seen in more than 120
countries worldwide, reaching 600 million homes. In addition to its ventures
for locally programmed E! branded channels outside the U.S., the company
operates the E! International Network, a 24-hour English language global
entertainment channel available via satellite in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific
and the Middle East.
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