BREAKING: Ryan Seacrest Inks Deal to Return as Host for AMERICAN IDOL XIV

Deadline reports that longtime American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has inked a deal with the FOX Network to return as host of the 14th season of the singing competition.

According to the report, the new contract is for the next season with an option for another. Seacrest is still in ongoing talks with NBCUniversal, where his wide-ranging duties include Today, the Olympics and E!. He is expected to reach a new agreement with NBCU shortly.

With his thriving broadcasting career and multiple ventures, Ryan Seacrest is at the forefront of the media and entertainment industry. While hosting and producing multiple television and radio programs, building his Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) banner into a leading television production company and managing a myriad of brand ventures, Seacrest is redefining what it means to be a successful Hollywood entrepreneur.

Seacrest holds preeminent positions in broadcast television, nationally Syndicated radio, local radio and cable as both a producer and on-air host. He is celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated Primetime talent showcase AMERICAN IDOL, and hosts and produces E! News and its red carpet awards show coverage. He also serves as an executive producer and co-hosts "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." He has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program category for his work on AMERICAN IDOL, and has also hosted the live network broadcast of The Emmy Awards show. On radio, Seacrest is host of "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," his market-topping No. 1 nationally Syndicated L.A. morning drive-time radio show for Clear Channel's 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally-syndicated Top 40 radio show.

Ryan Seacrest Productions is a leading television production company. RSP produced the Emmy Award-winning reality series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." RSP also produces the hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and spin-offs "Khloe and Lamar," "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" and "Kourtney and Kim Take Miami." RSP is currently producing "Married to Jonas" and "Shahs of Sunset."

Seacrest has extensive deals with brand heavyweights Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Ford.

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multimedia and interactive platforms. RSF is building broadcast media centers within hospitals for children to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. RSF recently opened broadcast media centers in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Seacrest's professional career in broadcasting began at the age of 16 when he applied for an internship at one of Atlanta's top radio stations, WSTR-STAR 94. While working at STAR 94, he finished high school and went on to attend the University of Georgia, where he majored in journalism.

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