After a remarkable 20-year run on SiriusXM, “The Howard Stern Show” may be nearing its final broadcast, sources close to the matter told The U.S. Sun. With Howard Stern’s lucrative contract set to expire this fall, reportedly insiders claim SiriusXM is unwilling to meet the radio legend’s salary demands, potentially signaling the end of an era for the self-proclaimed “King of All Media.” While negotiations over Stern’s extensive audio library may continue, a return to live broadcasting seems increasingly unlikely.
Complicating matters, Stern’s vocal political stance, particularly his criticism of former President Donald Trump, may be influencing SiriusXM’s decision. “If Sirius isn’t going to give Stern a good offer, I don’t think it would have anything to do with his ratings,” another insider noted. “It’s more likely everything to do with the political climate.” Stern has never shied away from political commentary, recently reiterating on a September 2024 TV appearance that he believed Trump “never wanted to become president.” Citing Trump’s pre-presidential life of luxury, Stern claimed the former president used the buzz around a potential candidacy to boost book sales. “I know some of the people involved,” Stern said, per The Mirror. “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 uncertainty has left Stern’s staff of roughly 95 employees blindsided, according to the Daily Mail. “He may do a 1-2 year contract if they can meet him where he wants financially,” a source said. “He doesn’t want to pull the plug on his employees like this.” Stern, who typically takes summers off, has reportedly been musing about retirement, adding to the speculation.
Stern’s journey began in the 1980s at New York’s WXRK, where his provocative style as a “shock jock” turned “The Howard Stern Show” into a cultural juggernaut, reaching 20 million listeners across 60 markets at its peak. After moving to SiriusXM in 2006, Stern reinvented himself as a masterful interviewer, coaxing raw confessions from guests like Lady Gaga and Courteney Cox. His 1997 film Private Parts and bestselling books further cemented his legacy.
Fans are divided over the news. On X, one longtime listener wrote, “I’ve been a Howard Stern fan since DC 101. For 4 decades, I’ve laughed as he matured. But retirement? It’s past time.” Another blamed his 2012-2015 stint on America’s Got Talent for a perceived decline, saying, “The show was the funniest of all time. That time has passed.” Others tied his potential exit to politics, with one user alleging, “The show was done when he tried to help in the Biden dementia cover-up.”
As negotiations continue, Stern’s legacy as a radio pioneer remains undeniable, but the airwaves may soon lose one of their most iconic voices.