Kasem passes the baton on ‘Top 40’

Casey Kasem is stepping down next month as host of “American Top 40,” the landmark radio show that counts down the week’s top pop hits. After more than three decades, the velvet-voiced radio personality will pass his duties along to a new generation: disc jockey and “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates the program, announced the transition Tuesday.

Kasem, meanwhile, has signed a new long-term contract with Premiere to continue his adult contemporary-oriented “American Top 20.” The two weekend versions of that countdown will still feature Kasem’s signature dedications and stories behind the songs.

Kasem’s last “American Top 40” will be broadcast on Jan. 3 and 4, and Seacrest will take over on Jan. 11.

“I’ve been working with Premiere over the last several months to find a way for me to be with my audience in every market in the nation without having to compete with myself by being on both Contemporary Hit Radio stations with ‘American Top 40’ and Adult Contemporary stations with ‘American Top 20,’ ” Kasem said in a statement. “With this new contract, I’ll be counting down the hits for my listeners into the next decade.”

Kasem, who launched the show in 1970, could not be reached for further comment.

Meanwhile, Seacrest will add “American Top 40” to a frantic schedule that also includes his daily afternoon drive-time stint on Star 98.7 FM; his hosting duties on “American Idol,” which will launch its third season Jan. 19; and a new daytime syndicated television show, “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” which will also start next month. His home base will be a new television and radio studio in the Hollywood & Highland complex.

“There will be a lot of interesting changes on the ‘Top 40’ show while maintaining the integrity of what Casey established,” he said. The show will be much more interactive, with fan participation and live performances from current groups, Seacrest said.