Ryan Seacrest Takes Over AT40 (Jan 10, 2004)

Kasem left the longtime AT40 post to concentrate on his other two countdown shows also syndicated by Premiere Networks.

Ryan Seacrest will debut as the new host of American Top 40 this weekend. He will take over Kasem's longtime post to count down the 40 biggest songs in the country, but the show will also add some new technology. It will focus on the interactive quality of American Top 40's website, letting the audience vote for their favorite songs, enter contests for concert flyaways, and communicate directly with Seacrest. Radio stations nationwide will access the show via satellite or the Internet, insuring the most up to the minute music chart information.

Visit the Official American Top 40 Website.

American Top 40 will originate from Seacrest's glass studio at Hollywood and Highland where he will also do his new live daily TV show "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" beginning Jan. 12, affording him the opportunity to feature his TV guests and music artists on the radio program.

AT 40 airs Saturday mornings 6am-10am on KIIS-FM 102.7 in Los Angeles. It will air on Channel 933 in San Diego, Sundays 7-11am, while Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 moves to Saturdays 6-10am.

"Casey is one of America's greatest broadcasters. It is an honor to take over a show that I have been a fan of for so many years. The synergy between 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest' and American Top 40 will allow us to broadcast radio's most current interactive chart and check in with Hollywood's biggest stars."

Meanwhile, Kasem recently signed a new long-term contract with his current syndicator, Premiere Radio Networks. Each weekend, Kasem hosts "American Top 20," which will continue featuring his signature long-distance dedications and stories behind the songs. He hosts two versions of the program for Hot Adult Contemporary and Adult Contemporary stations nationwide such as MY 94.1 and KBIG 104.3.

Kasem commented, "I've been working with Premiere over the last several months to find a way for me to be with my audience in every market in the nation without having to compete with myself by being on both Contemporary Hit Radio stations with American Top 40 and Adult Contemporary stations with American Top 20. With this new contract, I'll be counting down the hits for my listeners into the next decade."

His friendly "crackling" voice style has taken him to the top of his profession while his approach can be summed up in his trademark phrase, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."