Report: Ryan Seacrest's American Idol return is being held up as he negotiates a "massive new deal" with Disney

TMZ

TMZ reports: "Ryan will likely return as host for a third season of A.I. on ABC, as its longtime host. The reason the deal hasn't been signed ... he's currently in talks with Disney honchos for a huge contract that goes way beyond A.I. and Live with Kelly and Ryan. We're told the new deal encompasses what he's doing now, but includes a massive production deal for new TV shows, produced through his production company." TMZ notes that on Monday, when ABC announced that Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie would return to Idol while omitting Seacrest's name from the press release, Seacrest was spotted leaving a New York City restaurant with Disney TV Chairman Peter Rice.