This could be Ryan Seacrest's last year hosting "American Idol." According to the Hollywood Reporter, the omnipresent media host is in the homestretch of a 2009 contract extension that pays him $15 million a year and is not likely to be renewed for that price.
According to an unnamed "Idol" insider quoted in the story, Seacrest -- who has hosted the show for all 11 of its seasons -- can be replaced for $2 to 3 million a year. In addition, Seacrest's biggest ally, "Idol" creator Simon Fuller, is no longer associated with the show.
But Seacrest, 37, is not likely to accept a pay cut when, according to this Wall Street Journal report, NBCUniversal is grooming him to take over co-hosting "The Today Show" for Matt Lauer, whose contract also expires this year.
According to the Hollywood Reporter source, the survival of "Idol" without Simon Cowell has proven to producers that it could take the lesser loss of Seacrest.
The 11th season of "American Idol" premieres Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
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