Amid a ratings free fall that has seen “American Idol” slip to numbers that would have been considered unfathomable just a season or two ago, a rumor emerged Friday that longtime host Ryan Seacrest was looking to depart the show.
Sources close to the situation say that is not the case.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the latest word is that Seacrest is nearing a deal with remain with the series for two more years. The outlet added that Seacrest will likely appear at FOX’s May upfront presentation to reaffirm his commitment to the series.
While the deal would serve not as confirmation that “Idol” is sticking around but as proof that Seacrest would remain aboard if it did stick around, the current expectation is that it will continue at FOX.
Its ratings might barely exceed those of “The X Factor,” which was formally cancelled after its third season, but FOX reportedly remains committed to its long-running franchise for at least one more season.
Granted, those weakened ratings do underscore the reality that the show will not last forever.
Neither of this week’s episodes reached a 2.0 in the adults 18-49 demographic this week, and the show will likely endure more declines as it approaches the season finale.
By next year, the show’s weekly adults 18-49 rating could quickly find itself below the 1.5 mark–and perhaps even flirting with the 1.0 level in the late stages of the season.
