Wheel Of Fortune sees rising ratings thanks to Ryan Seacrest’s hosting debut

Looks like Wheel of Fortune hit the jackpot with Ryan Seacrest's debut as host of season 42.

The episode, which aired Monday, saw a significant increase in major TV markets, reaching a 4.62 household rating, according to early data, up 57% from last year's premiere, which reached a 2.94 household rating in the same 44 markets.

These are just the first numbers for season 42. More detailed ratings for the first week's episodes will be released next week.

Seacrest takes over for Pat Sajak, who said goodbye to the show in June after four decades. Sajak had announced the year before that he was ready to retire as host of the syndicated game show and that season 41 would be his last.

A week after Sajak announced his retirement, it was announced that Seacrest would take over as host for season 42. Seacrest will also serve as a consulting producer on the show.

In the opening moments of his first episode as host, Seacrest told viewers, “Thank you for the warm welcome. Wheel of Fortune is a dream job. I've been a fan of this show since I was a kid and watched it with my family in Atlanta. I know how special it is that Wheel has been in your living rooms for 40 years. I'm just so grateful to have been invited. I also know I have big shoes to fill.”

Wheel of Fortune is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, and distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures and internationally by Paramount Global Distribution Group, both divisions of Paramount.