‘Wheel of Fortune’ with New Host Ryan Seacrest Delivers Best Premiere Month Viewership in Three Years

“Wheel of Fortune” fans definitely liked the new host: Season 42 of “Wheel of Fortune” starring Ryan Seacrest averaged its best premiere month audience in three years, making it the No. 1 series on television, according to Sony Pictures TV’s Nielsen results.

The premiere month (September 9 to October 6) attracted 40 million viewers, with viewership up 12% compared to the same period last season. Viewership was up 12% compared to last season’s premiere month.

As the No. 1 entertainment program on television, it averaged 7.99 million viewers, topping all primetime series in September across television, cable and syndication. WoF was also up 3% in the A25-54 demo in the first month of Season 42 compared to the first month of last season.

WoF is in its 42nd season in syndication, with Seacrest serving as host alongside Vanna White. The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television, part of the Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.