ABC Execs Allegedly “Ecstatic” to See Ryan Seacrest Leave ‘Live’: “There Weren’t Exactly Tears Shed”

Last week, Ryan Seacrest announced that he would be departing Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years of co-hosting the show with Kelly Ripa. But it turns out that the executives of the show’s network, ABC, aren’t too broken up over the loss of half their titular duo.

Apparently, “ABC executives were ecstatic when Ryan Seacrest decided to quit Live with Kelly and Ryan,” according to The Daily Mail. While Seacrest had a strong working relationship with Ripa during his tenure on the daytime talk show, it just wasn’t enough to compete with the Ripa’s connection and dynamic with her real-life husband, Mark Consuelos.

Consuelos, who will replace Seacrest as Ripa’s co-host after he leaves this spring, is no stranger to Live, having already served as guest co-host with Ripa several times over the years. His stints on the show displayed how palpable the couple’s on and off-screen chemistry is, something that ABC is reportedly eager is capitalize on as they usher in Live‘s new era.

“ABC has been eager to replace Seacrest with Mark,” a source told The Daily Mail. “Mark and Kelly have TV magic. Viewers can’t get enough watching the sparks between them whenever he fills in for Ryan.”

The insider also said Seacrest’s time was up at the show, explaining, “He did his bit when he came in to replace Michael Strahan and has done a fine job for six years. And ABC has always appreciated that.”

They added, “But Ryan has quite the ego and he doesn’t like the fact that Mark has proven to be so popular when he fills in for him.”

All of Consuelos’ appearances on Live — which is already the highest-rated daytime talk show — have resulted in more viewership and engagement. Some of that may be due to the couple’s openness about their active sex lives and willingness to take on steamy and buzz-worthy topics.

And with that kind of riveting TV magic soon to be an everyday occurrence on Live, “there weren’t exactly tears shed when Ryan started talking about leaving,” per The Daily Mail.

Live with Kelly and Ryan airs on weekdays at 9 a.m. ET on ABC.