‘Wheel of Fortune’ Gets Premiere Ratings Bump in Major Markets for Ryan Seacrest’s Host Debut

Seacrest, in. New “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest kicked off his tenure as the new host of the syndicated “Wheel of Fortune” with a healthy boost in the nation’s major TV markets. According to early data, Monday’s Season 42 premiere averaged a 4.62 household rating in the overnight markets, vs. a 2.94 rating for the Season 41 premiere in 2023.

'Wheel of Fortune' Host Ryan Seacrest Doesn't Mention Pat Sajak By Name in First Episode, But Says He Has 'Big Shoes to Fill'

That reps a 57% increase in households for the syndicated series’ premiere across the 44 overnight markets. More detailed, national ratings for the first full week of “Wheel of Fortune” episodes will be released next week.

“Wheel of Fortune” returned on Monday for its Season 42 with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, came with a lot of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of them all: A new host. That was acknowledged up top, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”

Seacrest and White taped the season premiere episode in July. “Thank you for the very 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 in Atlanta with my family. And I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for the pat 40 years. And I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill.”

Ryan Seacrest on His First Days Hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' With Vanna White and Pat Sajak's Parting Advice: 'It's Very Full Circle'

In the opener, Seacrest noticeably didn’t mention the person whose shoes he was replacing by name, however: Pat Sajak, who signed off from the show in June after more than 40 years as host. (Sajak and Seacrest, along with White, appeared in a promo together this summer , serving as more of an official pass-the-baton moment.) Sajak will still be seen this fall in ABC’s primetime edition of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which reps his last turn on the show.

“Wheel of Fortune” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, and is distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures and internationally by Paramount Global Distribution Group.

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