Howard Stern's Long-Running Show Reportedly On The Chopping Block, Leaving Staff Alarmed After 20 Years

Yahoo

a day ago

Howard Stern may be retiring from SiriusXM after 20 years, as insiders claim the network won't meet his salary demands.
While talks over his audio library may continue, a return to live broadcasting is unlikely. Political tensions, especially Stern's criticism of Donald Trump, may also play a role.
Fans are divided, with some praising his evolution and others blaming his political stance and AGT stint for the show's decline. Howard Stern first rose to fame in the 1980s and became a radio icon.
'The Howard Stern Show' Reportedly Set To End After Two Decades On SiriusXM
After 20 years on SiriusXM, "The Howard Stern Show" may soon "be canceled," sources revealed to The U.S. Sun.
According to insiders, Stern's long-standing and lucrative contract with the satellite radio giant is set to expire this fall, and SiriusXM has no plans to renew it at the price point Stern is expected to demand.
"Stern's contract is up in the fall, and while Sirius is planning to make him an offer, they don't intend for him to take it," one source claimed. "Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It's no longer worth the investment."
While negotiations over Stern's massive audio library could still be on the table, the same source emphasized that a return to live broadcasting is unlikely: "But as far as him coming back to doing the show, there's no way they can keep paying his salary."
They added: "After you saw what happened with Stephen Colbert, it's like they just can't afford to keep him going."
Howard Stern's Politics May Be Fueling SiriusXM Exit Talks, Insider Claims
Another insider suggested that Stern's political stance may be influencing the decision behind the scenes.
"If Sirius isn't going to give Stern a good offer, I don't think it would have anything to do with his ratings," the source said. "It's more likely everything to do with the political climate."
Stern has long been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and hasn't shied away from airing his political opinions.
In a resurfaced interview clip from a September 2024 TV appearance that recently went viral, Stern reiterated a claim he's made before: that Trump "never wanted to become president."
"I firmly believed that Donald did not want to run for president," he said, adding, "I don't think he was serious. I don't think he wanted to be the president. I knew him, he had a great life at Mar-a-Lago, he was running around town, he played golf, he had a good time."
He recounted how Trump allegedly used presidential buzz to boost book sales.
"I remember…the first time he said he might run for president, he put out his first book," Stern said, per The Mirror. "And I know some of the people involved in this. And they said, 'Pretend like you're running for president and you'll sell a lot of books.' And he did it, and it worked."
The Recent Cancelation Buzz Has Left The Shock Jock's Staff Blindsided
According to the Daily Mail, Stern, who is now in "very serious negotiations" with SiriusXM regarding a potential contract renewal, has left his staff blindsided.
"He may do a 1-2 year contract if they can meet him where he wants financially. He doesn't want to pull the plug on his employees like this," a source told the news outlet.
Another insider noted that Stern's staff of "around 95" workers are only recently finding out about the uncertainty of the show's future.
"He is off in the summer, but this year has been saying 'maybe I should retire,'" the insider added.
Howard Stern's Evolution Over Four Decades
Stern first shot to national fame in the 1980s with "The Howard Stern Show," which began on New York City's WXRK.
During his two-decade run there, the show grew into a cultural phenomenon, eventually reaching 60 markets and drawing over 20 million listeners at its peak.
In 2006, Stern transitioned to SiriusXM, where he's remained a major figure ever since.
Though he initially made headlines as a provocative "shock jock," Stern gradually evolved into a masterful interviewer known for drawing candid, emotional revelations from his guests.
Memorable moments include Lady Gaga speaking openly about her past drug use and Courteney Cox making a surprise appearance to discuss her struggling marriage with David Arquette.
Beyond radio, Stern has also made his mark in other media. His 1997 autobiographical film "Private Parts," both a commercial hit and a fan favorite, offered a raw look at his career and contentious history with former employers like WNBC. He's also authored multiple bestsellers, including the print version of "Private Parts."
From 2012 to 2015, Stern took a surprising turn as a judge on "America's Got Talent."
Howard Stern's Rumored Retirement Sparks Mixed Reactions From Fans Online
As speculation swirls around Stern's possible retirement from SiriusXM, longtime fans are weighing in, and the responses are mixed.
Many took to X to voice their opinions on the legendary shock jock's potential exit from the airwaves.
"I've been a Howard Stern fan since the days of DC 101," one user wrote. "For 4 decades, I've listened and laughed as he grew, matured, and developed as a human being. But the possible retirement news today? It's well past time. He never wanted to be Imus, and if he renews, he'd be in danger of that."
Another fan reflected on the show's evolution, writing, "At one point, 'The Howard Stern Show' was objectively the funniest radio show of all time. That time has long passed. I think things went downhill when he joined 'AGT.'"
Some comments veered sharply political, with wild allegations. A person said, "The Howard Stern show was done as soon as he tried to help in the Biden dementia cover-up. Emphasis on 'tried.' What an idiot!"
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