WHEEL OF FORTUNE Boasts High Ratings as New Host Wraps First Year

By Movieguide® Contributor

WHEEL OF FORTUNE is showing an increase in ratings following new host Ryan Seacrest taking the reins.

According to the L.A. Times, the game show earned “an average of 7.9 million viewers through December 1, 2024, which is an increase of 3 percent from the prior year.”

It’s no surprise WHEEL OF FORTUNE is pulling in high numbers. TV Insider reported Seacrest’s first week hosting had “the game show’s highest ratings in five years,” boasting “an average viewership of 8.31 million per episode.”

Suzanne Prete, president of Sony’s game shows division, told TV Insider that Seacrest took his preparation for his game show hosting gig seriously.

When she offered to send him 50 episodes to study, Prete said Seacrest replied, “No, I want to see every episode.”

The outlet also shared that the AMERICAN IDOL host reportedly received a tabletop version of the WHEEL OF FORTUNE game, which he used to play out “different scenarios for gameplay.”

“When he stepped on the set, it was like he’d been doing it his whole life,” Prete said.

“I am always impressed and grateful for what the show has meant to me before I even started working there and what it means to so many people and generations around the country,” he said while attending the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in December. “I love giving away the money. I get so excited when people win the money, and they win a lot of money. I’m hoping to give away a million dollars in 2025.”

Seacrest will have plenty of opportunities to give money away to contestants — the New York Times reported that his hosting contract “extends into the 2030s.”