Viewers are still giving “Wheel of Fortune” a spin with new host Ryan Seacrest. The syndicated strip’s Season 42, with Seacrest taking over for longtime host Pat Sajak (and joining co-host Vanna White), made a splash in its opening month as the most-watched entertainment series in September across broadcast, cable and syndication.
According to Nielsen data, “Wheel of Fortune” averaged 7.99 million viewers during its premiere month (September 9 to October 6, 2024). When sports and news are taken out of the equation, that means more people watched “Wheel” than any other entertainment program on linear TV. And even when you add news into the mix, only “60 Minutes” (8.98 million viewers) beat it.
The arrival of Seacrest helped give “Wheel” its highest best premiere month audience in three years, up 12% from last year. According to producer Sony Pictures TV, the show reached 40 million total viewers in its premiere month. “Wheel of Fortune” is also up 3% in the adults 25-54 demo vs. last year.
“Wheel of Fortune” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, and is distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures and internationally by Paramount Global Distribution Group. The two also work together on “Jeopardy!” — which was the No. 3 most-watched entertainment series during the first month of the season, averaging 7.35 million viewers. (The single sneak preview episode of CBS’ “Matlock” was at No. 2, with 7.74 million.)
According to early, local data, the Season 42 premiere averaged a 4.62 household rating in the overnight markets, vs. a 2.94 rating for the Season 41 premiere in 2023. “Wheel of Fortune” returned on Monday, Sept. 9, for its Season 42 with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, came with a lot of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of them all: A new host. That was acknowledged up top, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”
As for Sajak, he will still be seen this midseason in ABC’s primetime edition of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which reps his last turn on the show.
