FANS of Wheel of Fortune are fuming because not all of them will be able to watch the new series that will air tonight.
Wheel of Fortune will return on Monday night with Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest, with regular viewers of the show excited about the new era.
Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White will co-host the new season of Wheel of Fortune tonight, with them posing by a billboard this weekend ahead of the premiere[/caption]
Vanna and Ryan have been sharing glimpses of the new series, such as this behind-the-scenes snap from shooting their promo poster[/caption]
Vanna and Ryan, pictured above in their promo poster for the show, will co-host their first episode together tonight[/caption]
But not all fans of the beloved game show will be able to tune in, which has left many upset, annoyed, and frustrated, with some even making desperate pleas to the show’s hosts.
As Ryan Seacrest prepares for his WoF debut, the show’s Instagram page shared a snap of him and Vanna pointing to a massive billboard with the new season poster on it.
“TOMORROW is the day we’ve all been waiting for,” the show penned in the caption of the snap.
Reacting to the post on social media, many fans were quick to flock to the comments section to fume over the fact that they could not watch the new series.
“So sad I can’t watch you tomorrow. what happened to Direc TV,” penned one disgruntled fan.
“Oh no!! I won’t be able to watch!!! I have been looking forward to this for a year!!! Boo on you DirecTV,” added another.
Someone else then said, “Yay congrats been looking forward to it but sadly can’t watch due to having direct tv.”
“I would love to watch a new era, but thanks to Disney and Direct TV we won’t be able to get it. Contract disputes,” added a fourth.
A fifth then fumed, “So sad I can’t watch cuz Disney/abc7 dispute.”
Meanwhile, a sixth made a plea on behalf of her mother, writing, “Except no one with DirectTV will be able to watch. Can you make a phone call? Asking on behalf of my 83 year old mother.”
“Yes, totally upset they decided now to negotiate a new contract. Most say it’s just a ploy to raise our rates. Been waiting to watch @ryanseacrest on Wheel of Fortune. Was never a big fan before,” replied another.
Another fan also replied, “We get abc on direct tv in al.”
This comes after DirecTV and Disney failed to come to an agreement during the negotiations for a new contract.
Wheel of Fortune must-know staff
Wheel of Fortune’s universe is more vast than fans realize. Here’s a look at the key staffmembers of America’s most iconic puzzle-based game show:
Ryan Seacrest: host, 2024-present
Vanna White: co-host, 1982-present
Maggie Sajak: social media correspondent, 2021-present
Jim Thornton: announcer, 2011-present
Pat Sajak: host from 1981-2024, the newly-retired Pat still hosts Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and is now a supervising producer
Bellamie Blackstone: executive producer, 2021-present
Steve Schwartz, supervising producer of over 30 years and now co-executive producer
Jimmy McGuire: Stage Manager and Jeopardy! Clue Crew alum (also Jeopardy!’s stage manager)
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! famously share a studio lot and use the others’ set next door for practice games before players take the stage.
Learn more about who keeps Wheel of Fortune spinning here.
Last weekend, ESPN, Disney Channel, FX and several other networks and channels went dark and blacked out when the five-year contract ended on September 1.
The dispute is reported to be impacting 11 million pay-TV subscribers, with these customers unable to watch ESPN and ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN News, ACC Network, SEC Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, Freeform, and the National Geographic channels.
NEW ERA OF THE SHOW
As well as fans fuming on Wheel of Fortune’s latest social media post about not being able to watch the show due to the current DirecTV and Disney dispute, many were quick to share their excitement for Ryan’s inaugural show.
“I wonder if Ryan was nervous taping the first show. I’ll be watching,” speculated one person.
Another then said, “I know you’ll be amazing Ryan! Looking forward to seeing you and Vanna working together.”
“Have a great run @ryanseacrest. Have fun with it and thanks as always for the entertainment. Cheers my friend!”
PAT WILL BE MISSED
Although there was much excitement for Ryan’s debut as a co-host on the show, others expressed how they will miss the previous host, Pat Sajak.
“I’ll miss seeing pat! I loved the way he interacted with the players and joked with them,” penned one.
Pat previously hosted the show with Vanna. He was a beloved host and had been at the helm for 40 years.
In 2023, Pat announced he would be stepping down, with his retirement commencing back in June of this year.
Ryan was then announced, with him saying he was “truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak” when he was revealed as the new host last summer in a statement.
Ryan Seacrest has excited fans with snaps of him taking over from Pat Sajak ahead of the season premiere[/caption]
Vanna and Ryan, pictured here on a talk show, will be hosting the new series together tonight (Monday, September 9)[/caption]