Ryan Seacrest inks multi-million deal, 'Idol' and beyond

By April MacIntyre Jul 13, 2009, 14:38 GMT

RICH - Ryan Seacrest -Cut to seven years later, his hosting partner Ryan Seacrest, a popular on-air radio personality, has taken the Idol opportunity and turned it into mogul-dom, allowing Seacrest to set up a production company and syndicate his radio show, and serve as a smallscreen host on other shows, along with Idol. © Chris Schwegler / PR Photos

When "American Idol" launched in 2002, there were two hosts, Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman.

Dunkleman left the show after one season, telling Inside Edition a few years back why he "walked away" from the FOX reality juggernaut after its first season.

After Idol's initial Summer 2002 season ended, Dunkleman announced that he had "decided not to return for Season Two in order to pursue other opportunities in the world of TV and feature films...The truth is I really left the show to pursue an acting career. I wanted to be a performer and not someone who introduces other performers. It was my decision," Dunkleman told Inside Edition.

Cut to seven years later, his hosting partner Ryan Seacrest, a popular on-air radio personality, has taken the Idol opportunity and turned it into mogul-dom, allowing Seacrest to set up a production company and syndicate his radio show, and serve as a smallscreen host on other shows, along with Idol.

The Industry trades announced that Seacrest's new three-year deal will keep him hosting American Idol for a few more years, as well as pursuing new projects. The partnership, announced by Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, includes Seacrest's continued services as host on the Fuller-produced Idol through 2012.

Seacrest has secured the biggest reality host paycheck ever. He will receive $15 million per year for three years.

The new $45 million for three-year contract will reportedly make Seacrest exclusive to CKX for TV primetime, hosting “Idol” or any other CKX-produced show that might follow.  Seacrest previously earned slightly less than $5 million per season on the FOX reality competition.