Ryan Seacrest Sets Up Shop at E!  1/4/06

Comprehensive Deal With One of the Nation's Premier Broadcast; Personalities Calls for Original Series Production Under Seacrest's; Own Production Banner Along With Key Role On E! News, E!'s Live From the Red Carpet and Celebrity Interview Specials

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- E! Entertainment Television has reached an agreement with national broadcast superstar Ryan Seacrest for a comprehensive multi-year deal that calls for the popular personality to appear both on-air as well as develop and produce multiple series projects for the network via his Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) banner, it was announced today by Ted Harbert, President and CEO, E! Networks.

Under terms of the pact, Seacrest will become managing editor and lead anchor of "E! News" in March, along with current anchor Giuliana DePandi. Additionally, he will serve as Executive Producer and Tower Host of E!'s "Live From the Red Carpet," beginning with the Golden Globe(R) Awards on Monday, January 16, and moving on to produce and host a series of celebrity interview specials. At the same time, RSP is poised to become a key supplier of series programming to E! Networks, with the option to sell to other networks should a concept not fit E!'s current needs.

The E! deal turns Seacrest into a quadruple threat with preeminent positions in the worlds of broadcast television, nationally syndicated radio, local radio and now cable. He is already celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated primetime talent showcase "American Idol" and the world's most popular radio countdown show, "American Top 40," as well as his market-topping L.A. morning drivetime radio show for Clear Channel's 102.7 KIIS-FM. Seacrest will now broadcast the KIIS program from his new state-of-the-art studio at E! Networks headquarters in Los Angeles.

"This is a huge coup for E! and demonstrates how committed we are about being the dominant entertainment authority," said Harbert. "Not only will we benefit immensely from Ryan's extraordinary ability as a broadcaster, his crystal clear vision of our brand will make him an extremely valuable supplier of original programming. His talent, popularity and easygoing on-screen charm have earned him millions of fans who will follow him to E! He is the very best at what he does."

"I am looking forward to being part of the E! team," said Seacrest. "This unique opportunity allows my company to take the next step in providing multimedia content."

Seacrest will continue on as host of the iconic series that landed him on the international map, "American Idol," as well as a fill-in host for CNN's top rated "Larry King Live." The latest development under RSP is Seacrest's new position as co-host, while being groomed to be sole host, of the American institution "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." This year will mark the first in a multi-year deal that finds him presiding over and executive producing the New Year's Eve special under his production banner.

Radio, too, will remain a significant force in Seacrest's work life with his hosting of the weekly "American Top 40" as well as the top-rated L.A. radio morning show "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" for 102.7 KIIS FM. Both shows have risen to #1 status since Seacrest has taken the reigns.

Seacrest's explosive and ever-expanding broadcast career has earned him accolades within the industry and his fans, from his recently awarded star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for radio, and as one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful," as well as one of its 2005 "Most Eligible Bachelors." With Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) becoming a leading entity producing and hosting multiple television and radio specials, his many restaurant investments, as well as the launch of fashion powerhouse The R Line, Seacrest is fast becoming a major force in Hollywood.

About E! Networks

Based in Los Angeles, E! Networks is the world's largest producer and distributor of entertainment news and lifestyle-related programming. The company operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming, and E! Online, located at Eonline.com. E! is currently available to 87 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the U.S. The Style Network currently counts 42 million subscribers. Internationally, E! programming can be seen in more than 120 countries worldwide, reaching 600 million homes. In addition to its ventures for locally programmed E! branded channels outside the U.S., the company operates the E! International Network, a 24-hour English language global entertainment channel available via satellite in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. 

SOURCE E! Entertainment Television

-0- 01/03/2006