Seacrest, in. New “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest kicked off his tenure as the new host of the syndicated “Wheel of Fortune” show with a strong boost in the country’s major TV markets. According to early data, Monday’s Season 42 premiere averaged 4.62 households in late-night markets, compared to a 2.94 rating for the Season 41 premiere in 2023.
That represents a 57% increase in households for the syndicated series’ premiere in the 44 overnight markets. More accurate national ratings for the first full week of “Wheel of Fortune” episodes will be released next week.
“Wheel of Fortune” returned for its 42nd season on Monday with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, featured lots of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of all: a new host. That was acknowledged right from the start, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now, here for the first time are the stars of our show together, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”
Seacrest and White taped the first episode of the season in July. “Thank you for the warm welcome,” Seacrest said after being welcomed to the show by White. “Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a dream job. I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid watching it with my family in Atlanta. And I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for 40 years. And I’m just so grateful to have been invited. I also know I have big shoes to fill.”
In the inaugural broadcast, however, Seacrest conspicuously did not mention by name the person he was filling: Pat Sajak, who retired from the show in June after more than 40 years as host. (Sajak and Seacrest appeared alongside White in a commercial this summer that served more as an official passing moment.) Sajak will appear on the primetime edition of ABC’s “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” this fall, which will mark his final appearance on the show.
“Wheel of Fortune” is produced by Sony Pictures Television and distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures and internationally by Paramount Global Distribution Group.
