NEW YORK — Ryan Seacrest will be back hosting “American Idol” when it returns for a first season on ABC. Kelly Ripa made the announcement on Thursday’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” which she has co-hosted with Seacrest since he joined her in May.

Seacrest has a long history with “Idol” during its smash-hit run on Fox from 2002 through 2016. Reclaiming that job gives him an additional role in the Disney family, which owns ABC and produces the syndicated “Live.”

Seacrest’s possible return to “Idol” had sparked much speculation, even though it airs from Los Angeles and “Live” airs mornings from New York. The busy Seacrest will also continue his syndicated Los Angles morning drive-time radio show, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show, from his iHeartMedia studio in New York.

Frazier Moore, The Associated Press

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