Seacrest Inks New Idol Deal

NEW YORK: Ryan Seacrest has clinched a lucrative new deal with 19 Entertainment that keeps him as host of American Idol through 2012 and includes future entertainment projects with Simon Fuller.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Seacrest will receive $30 million for the next three seasons, plus a $7.5 million signing bonus. The Journal reports that 19 Entertainment has already shelled out $15 million for all Seacrest marketing rights related to Idol. The deal includes his hosting duties on the hit FOX series, distributed by FremantleMedia, as well as new entertainment projects in collaboration with Fuller. "Ryan is an essential ingredient to American Idol’s success, and I am so happy that we will continue our relationship beyond Idol into the future," Fuller said. "Ryan is without doubt one of American television’s most talented stars.”