After nearly two decades, SiriusXM is poised to end The Howard Stern Show, with sources indicating the satellite radio giant will not renew Howard Stern’s $100 million-a-year contract, set to expire this fall. The decision, reported on August 5, 2025, stems from SiriusXM’s stance that Stern’s salary is “no longer worth the investment.” Insiders suggest the company may offer a lower deal Stern is unlikely to accept, focusing instead on securing his extensive audio library for continued streaming on Howard 100 and 101.
Stern, 71, revolutionized radio with his provocative style, joining SiriusXM in 2006 after a 20-year run on terrestrial radio, where he drew 20 million listeners at his peak. Known for candid celebrity interviews with figures like Lady Gaga and Joe Biden, Stern shifted from his “shock jock” roots to a more polished format. However, his vocal criticism of President Donald Trump and liberal leanings may have strained relations with SiriusXM, which is pivoting toward younger talent like Alex Cooper and Andy Cohen to boost its 2% revenue dip in Q2 2024.
The move follows financial pressures, with SiriusXM citing losses on Stern’s show and a 1.6% subscriber churn rate. Stern’s hints at retirement, including 2024 comments about possibly stepping away, add to speculation he may not fight to stay. While his 23,000-hour archive will remain available until 2027, the cancellation marks the end of an era for the self-proclaimed “King of All Media.”
