WHEEL of Fortune is making a major casting change for the first time ever during Ryan Seacrest’s first season as host.

Ryan, 50, took over for longtime host Pat Sajak at the start of the season, as he now hosts the series with Vanna White.

Ryan Seacrest announces a new way to play Wheel of Fortune.
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Ryan Seacrest announced of Wheel of Fortune casting changeCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

Vanna White announces a new way to play Wheel of Fortune.
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Groups of friends will compete on the show this weekCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune
In an Instagram video, Ryan and Vanna, 68, revealed they are breaking from show tradition when it comes to casting.

“It’s a friendly wheel rivalry all this week as we introduce something new,” Ryan said.

Vanna added, “For the first time, our groups of contestants know each other. They are all wheel fans who watch the show together.”

Ryan then continued, “And tonight not only are they playing for cash and prizes, but also for the ultimate victory: bragging rights.”

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The caption of the video read, “We’re spicing things up this week with a brand new way of playing wheel!”

Monday night’s episode featured a group of firefighter friends.

FAN REACTION

Viewers turned to Reddit to express their feelings on the casting change, as they were divided on the new segment.

“I really enjoyed the dynamic of them all being friends, and while I know it shouldn’t be the norm, I’d love to see it more often. I have never seen it before,” one fan wrote.

A second said, “Not a fan of this concept and making the million dollar wedge a group prize is stupid especially since all 3 have to not land on bankrupt.”

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A third wrote, “The three people knowing each other is an interesting concept and I’m intrigued. But this feels a little off since a) we don’t know them well enough to really form a rooting interest, and b) it seems WILDLY easy to collude to agree to split the money in advance and play to maximize the pot.”

A fourth commented, “Nice fresh concept we are seeing this week.”

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest at the Wheel of Fortune game show set.
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Fans are divided over the casting decisionCredit: Getty

RATINGS WAR

The show shakeup comes as Wheel of Fortune has been struggling in ratings compared to rival ABC game show Jeopardy!, which airs right before.

For the week of March 3 to March 9, Jeopardy! had 8,902,000 viewers tune in, according to Nielsen.

Wheel of Fortune trailed behind in the number two spot with 8,477,000 viewers.

The U.S. Sun also previously reported 8,430,000 viewers tuned in to watch Jeopardy! for the week of January 20 to 26.

Wheel of Fortune host timeline

Premiering in 1975, the beloved game show has had a few different iconic hosts in its nearly 50 seasons.

1975 – 1981 : Chuck Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune until he departed in 1981.

1981 – June 2024: Pat Sajak took over and became a beloved Wheel of Fortune host for over 40 years.

September 2024: Ryan Seacrest was declared the newest host as Sajak announced his retirement.

Wheel of Fortune came in second place with 8,111,000 viewers.

As for the premiere week of September 9 to September 15, The U.S. Sun previously reported 8,310,000 viewers watched Wheel of Fortune and 7,113,000 viewers tuned in for Jeopardy.

The high ratings at the beginning of the season for Wheel of Fortune could’ve been because of interest over Ryan taking over for Pat.

Wheel of Fortune kicked off Season 42 on September 9 with the new host.

Ken Jennings at the Jeopardy! Masters podium.
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The change comes after Jeopardy! beat Wheel of Fortune in ratingsCredit: Getty