Looks like Wheel of Fortune hit the jackpot with Ryan Seacrest‘s debut as the host of Season 42. The episode, which aired on Monday, saw a significant boost in the major TV markets, delivering a 4.62 household rating, according to early data.
That’s up 57% from last year’s premiere, which saw a 2.94 household rating in the same 44 overnight markets. These are just early numbers for Season 42, and the more details ratings for the first week of episodes will be released next week.
Seacrest is stepping in for Pat Sajak, who bid farewell to the show in June after four decades. Sajak announced the year prior that he was ready to retire as host from the syndicated game show, and Season 41 would be his last.
A week after Sajak announced his retirement, it was revealed that Seacrest would be taking over as host in Season 42. Seacrest also will serve as consulting producer on the show.
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