Ryan Seacrest is joining "Live" as Kelly Ripa's new co-host, jump-starting a new era in the morning television ratings race. 
 
 Two sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed the news to CNN prior to Monday's broadcast, on which Ripa and Seacrest broke the news to viewers. 
 
 "Today, the next chapter of the 'Live' story is about to be written," Ripa said. 
 
 Ripa thanked all of the temporary co-hosts who had filled in during the search, saying, "They are a part of the 'Live' family forever." 
 
 She then increased the anticipation by going to commercial break before bringing Seacrest on stage. 
 
 "So happy," Seacrest said as he embraced Ripa before the audience. "So exciting." 
 
 Seacrest, one of the world's best-known broadcasters, has co-hosted "Live" five times as a guest since ABC began the search for Michael Strahan's replacement one year ago. 
 
 "Live" gives Seacrest, the former host of Fox's "American Idol," a new daily platform on network television. He will also be an executive producer on the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter, giving him at least nominally the same level of power over it that Ripa herself has. 
 
 The beloved talk show airs in many markets at 9 a.m., directly against the third hour of NBC's "Today." In the fall NBC is introducing a new 9 a.m. show led by Megyn Kelly, who recently jumped from Fox News to NBC. 
 
 Five years ago Seacrest was seen as a contender for a "Today" show co-host job. Instead, Ripa and Seacrest will be competing with Kelly. 
 
 "Live" is based in New York. Seacrest lives in Los Angeles, but he has a home in Manhattan, and he's moving to New York to start the new job. 
 
 Seacrest is already one of the busiest people in the media business. The new hosting gig will not affect other on-air and off-air roles. He recently renewed his contract to host red carpet specials for NBCUniversal's E! network, for example. 
 
 Seacrest will continue to lead his nationally syndicated radio shows for iHeartMedia. According to a source, the ABC building that houses "Live" will also have a new radio studio for Seacrest. 
 
 Seacrest is already in business with ABC as the host of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on New Year's Eve. 
 
 The hosting deal may open the door for further business deals with ABC's parent company, Disney. 
 
 The seat next to Ripa was coveted by dozens of entertainment and news industry A-listers. 
 
 The search began when Strahan abruptly left the show for "Good Morning America" after co-hosting alongside Ripa for four years. Ripa was reportedly blindsided by the news. Strahan told her about it barely half an hour before the news leaked in the press. 
 
 Since then, Ripa's guest co-hosts have included Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Jerry O'Connell, and Fred Savage. 
 
 Ripa took to Twitter on Sunday to tell her followers that she would reveal her new co-host during Monday's show. 
 
 Representatives for Ripa, Seacrest and ABC either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment ahead of the official announcement on Monday. ||||| Ryan Seacrest is confirmed to host ABC’s resurrected American Idol. The announcement was made on today’s Live with Kelly and Ryan. 
 
 Seacrest is perhaps the person most closely associated with the long-running show’s original Fox run, his only rival for that spot being Simon Cowell, who has already nixed a return to the ABC version. 
 
 In addition to Seacrest, ABC’s upcoming season of Idol will include Katy Perry, who’s been signed as a judge. Her involvement was announced by ABC during upfront presentations in May. 
 
 Seacrest hosted Idol from its inception in 2002 to its final Fox installment in 2016. ABC says he’ll continue to host Live with Kelly and Ryan from New York. Seacrest also hosts and executive produces ABC’s annual live show, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. 
 
 The Idol news doesn’t come as a huge surprise – Seacrest’s involvement has been rumored for months. 
 
 Seacrest will also continue hosting and executive producing On Air with Ryan Seacrest, his nationally syndicated L.A. morning drive-time radio show for iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show from his iHeart studio at New York’s ABC7. 
 
 In an announcement confirming the news, ABC says Seacrest “will help reinvigorate the series that pioneered a new genre of television, staying true to the heart of the show by sharing inspiring stories and turning dreams into reality.” 
 
 “It’s genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me,” said Seacrest. “I’m so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it’s allowed me to experience. It’s been an incredible journey from day one. To be asked to return this year, at my new home at Disney|ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal. I believe ABC is the perfect home for Idol, and I’ve every confidence the show’s legions of fans will love it – especially Idol’s best traditions of showcasing heartwarming stories, remarkable talent discovery, and, best of all, making dreams come true.” 
 
 “We are thrilled to be ushering in this new era of American Idol with Ryan at the helm,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. “So much of American Idol’s overwhelming success can be attributed to Ryan, whose larger-than-life personality and laudable dedication to creating quality entertainment has made him a true master of his craft. His talent is limitless, and I can’t think of a more appropriate person to honor the Idol legacy as it takes on new life than the man who has been there through it all.” 
 
 Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of American Idol, said, “American Idol is back and already on the road searching to find the next generation of superstars. Idol has always been about the contestants and the music, and we couldn’t be more excited to start this next chapter – first with the incredibly talented new judge, Katy Perry, and now our own series icon, Ryan Seacrest. We’re delighted that he’s joining us and ABC as we set out to uncover the amazing talent America has to offer.” 
 
 “Idol wouldn’t be Idol without Ryan,” said Core Media Group CEO Peter Hurwitz. “He is a natural who has been there from the start, shines on live television and has dominated in every one of his professional endeavors. The show’s millions of devoted fans will be delighted to welcome him back to center stage on ABC.” 
 
 The nationwide search for the next Idol kicks off Thursday, August 17, as the Idol Bus tour heads out across America for auditions. 
 
 American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America’s Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin along with co-executive producer, Megan Wolflick. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide.
– ABC is apparently going big with Kelly Ripa's new morning co-host: CNN reports that Live With Kelly is about to become Live With Kelly and Ryan—yes, Ryan Seacrest. Ripa will announce the replacement for her most recent co-host, Michael Strahan, during Monday's show. The former American Idol host lives in Los Angeles, but he also has a home in New York and is expected to move there for the show. Live airs at 9am in many markets, which means it will go head to head with former Fox host Megyn Kelly's NBC show when that launches in the fall. Seacrest, 42, is expected to keep his national radio show for iHeartMedia. (Here are 5 facts you may not know about Seacrest.)