Through good times and bad, American Idol continues to lead in television ratings. The show took their biggest loss a couple of seasons ago when co-creator Simon Cowell departed. Still, ratings are soaring over their competition.

The problem for Fox and Britain's 19 Media is that with a decreasing economy, it is much more difficult to maintain advertising revenue. It is likely that their lead investors Coke and Ford Motor Company have decreased their involvement financially.

The other problem is the host. Seacrest has taken a significant role in the development of the show and has taken his money and production skills to other networks. He has produced shows such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve. Fox will pay Seacrest $45 Million to host the 2012 season of American Idol but have already announced that in 2013 (if Seacrest resigns) Seacrest will make less. Much Less.

Seacrest's largest supporter towards his outrageous salary is the other co-creator of Idol, Simon Fuller. Fuller, however, is no longer a part of the show.

New executives claim that there is no reason to pay Seacrest $40-50 million for a job that can be done by somebody else for less than $5 million. We will have to see how it all plays out.

Until then......

"Dear Fox,
I will happily host American Idol for a reasonable amount. 

Kindly,
Aaron England"