After a search process that spanned about a year, the daytime chat show “Live with Kelly” announced today that the new co-host is Ryan Seacrest, who will be working full time alongside Kelly Ripa starting today.

The show is now called “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Disney-ABC Television Group announced.

Seacrest was considered one of the front-runners for the job as the search process played out in the wake of the departure of Michael Strahan as co-host last spring.

Click here to read details and quotes in the official announcement from Disney-ABC.

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest (Disney-ABC/David M. Russell)