Wheel of Fortune has come under fire from fans who didn’t want Ryan Seacrest as the new host. However, it seems those fans are the vocal minority. While there is a lot of complaining being done online, the show’s ratings tell a different story. It seems that the ratings for this season show that Ryan might be what the show needed to regain its position at the top of the ratings.

Here is a look at the ratings for this season of Wheel of Fortune.

Wheel Of Fortune Viewership Rises With Ryan Seacrest As Host

It is shocking news for people who hate Ryan Seacrest on Wheel of Fortune that he has been a massive success. Ryan took over as host in September 2024 following Pat Sajak’s retirement. Last season was Pat’s final one on Wheel, and it saw ratings down, even with the announcement coming that this was the last time to see Pat hosting the main show.

Wheel Of Fortune: Ryan Seacrest
With Ryan Seacrest hosting this season, the show is up on viewership. According to Nielsen ratings, Wheel of Fortune averaged 7.9 million viewers an episode from September through December 1. These numbers are three percent higher than in the same period last year when Pat Sajak was on the show (via L.A. Times).

This is even bigger than many fans might think. With Seacrest at the helm, Wheel of Fortune has more viewers per episode than every single non-sports prime-time series on network television other than two, with only 60 Minutes and Tracker getting more viewers. Over 58 million people have watched the show this season.

More people watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! than are watching any streaming service other than Netflix. Network television ratings have dropped consistently over the past few years thanks to streaming and non-cable options for watching television. Wheel has weathered this storm, and its numbers are rising.

Wheel Of Fortune Passed Jeopardy! In The Ratings

Jeopardy! is another show that gets consistently great ratings. However, while that show remains popular, Wheel of Fortune has passed it in the ratings since Ryan Seacrest took over as host. The last season with Pat Sajak dropped below both Jeopardy! and Family Feud.
Ryan Seacrest Wheel of Fortune YouTube
Now, Wheel is back on top, having surpassed Jeopardy! in the ratings, with more people watching after it hit a three-year high this season. “It’s really incredible and when you start to look at the numbers,” Executive Producer Bellamie Blackstone said (via Deadline). “The numbers for this show are immense and the popularity is still great.”

Are you surprised that the Wheel of Fortune ratings are as high as they are? Did you expect for it to overtake Jeopardy! in the ratings with Ryan Seacrest as host? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.