Ryan Seacrest Celebrates a Huge 'Wheel of Fortune' Hosting Achievement Staff, 10/29/2024 Ryan Seacrest's debut as host of Wheel of Fortune has shattered records, drawing 7.99 million viewers in his premiere month, making it the top-rated entertainment series. With a 3% increase in the key 25-54 demographic, his tenure is off to a remarkable start, revitalizing the classic game show. In an article published by Variety on October 22, a huge stat was revealed about the media personality joining Wheel of Fortune. According to Nielsen data published by the outlet, the longtime game show averaged 7.99 million viewers during Ryan's premiere month as host (September 9 through October 6, 2024), making WoF "the most-watched entertainment series in September across broadcast, cable, and syndication."
What's more, the publication noted that when sports and news shows were excluded from the data, more people watched Wheel of Fortune than any other program on linear TV (a.k.a. traditional television, rather than streaming). And if that wasn't enough, the article noted Ryan's arrival to Wheel of Fortune helped get its highest season premiere numbers in three years. As the series' producer Sony Pictures TV told Variety, the show "reached 40 million total viewers in its premiere month" and Wheel of Fortune is "up 3% in the adults 25-54 demo vs. last year."
In short: based on how many people are tuning in, it looks like Ryan is doing very well in his role as the host of Wheel of Fortune. And this isn't even the first time he's broken a record since he started in early September.
TVLine reported in late September that Ryan's first week as Wheel of Fortune host put the series as the #1 show in syndication that week, averaging 8.31 million viewers. Ryan's first episode on the air also drew in many people at the time, making his debut Wheel of Fortune's most-watched season premiere in nine years.
Well, this is all super exciting for Ryan, and it just proves everything he works on becomes TV magic. And for those wondering about where former host Pat Sajak is, they don't need to worry. Although Pat officially retired from hosting Wheel of Fortune in early June, he's set to have his final hosting gig on the upcoming season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune that'll air in the spring of 2025.