Ryan Seacrest will return as host of American Idol's third season on ABC

Variety

ABC's announcement that Seacrest will be back comes one month after ABC announced that the Idol judging panel of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will all be returning with no mention of Seacrest. “American Idol has been my home for 17 seasons and I can’t wait to return to the stage,” said Seacrest, who will continue co-hosting ABC's Live with Kelly and Ryan. “It’s the greatest gift to be able to play a part in discovering new talent with a franchise that has been such a relevant part of American culture for so many years.”