Kenya, Aug. 6 -- The Howard Stern Show is getting canceled after 20 years on the radio. SiriusXM reportedly has grown tired of his his $100M a year salary. "It is no longer worth the investment." Howard Stern, the iconic "King of All Media," is grappling with rumors that his long-running The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM faces cancellation as his $100 million-per-year contract nears its end in December 2025, according to sources cited by The U.S. Sun.
The 71-year-old broadcaster, who revolutionized radio with his provocative style and joined SiriusXM in 2006, is reportedly at odds with the satellite radio giant over renewal terms, with SiriusXM eyeing younger talent like Alex Cooper of Call Her Daddy to attract new subscribers.
Despite Stern's storied career, including celebrity interviews and a peak audience of 20 million, the company's shifting priorities have sparked debate about his future.
Howard Stern's SiriusXM contract, a cornerstone of his $650 million net worth, has been a focal point since his groundbreaking $500 million, five-year deal in 2004, which included $100 million annually for production and staff.
Subsequent contracts, including a 2015 deal worth up to $100 million yearly and a 2020 extension, have kept Stern as SiriusXM's flagship star. However, with his current agreement expiring, insiders claim SiriusXM is hesitant to meet Stern's financial demands, citing a $10 million annual loss on his show due to a diminished audience.
Sources suggest SiriusXM may retain Stern's catalog through 2027 but is unlikely to renew at his desired rate, prompting speculation about retirement or a pivot to new ventures.
SiriusXM show cancellation rumors surrounding The Howard Stern Show have intensified, fueled by fans and a report from The U.S. Sun claiming the company is preparing to part ways with Stern.
The shock jock's audience, once 20 million strong during his terrestrial radio peak at WXRK, has reportedly shrunk, with SiriusXM ceasing to release ratings in 2020.
A source told Knewz.com that Stern was "raging" after Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper secured a Kamala Harris interview before him, signaling SiriusXM's shift toward younger demographics.
While SiriusXM and Stern have not commented, the rumors highlight tensions as the company diversifies with podcasts like SmartLess and Call Her Daddy, each carrying $100 million deals.
Howard Stern's celebrity interviews remain a hallmark of his SiriusXM tenure, with guests like Tom Brady, Jennifer Aniston, and Mick Jagger opening up in candid, in-depth conversations.
Since transitioning to SiriusXM, Stern has shifted from his shock jock roots to a more polished style, earning praise from The New York Times for his "deft and engrossing" interviewing skills.
Recent high-profile interviews, including President Joe Biden in April 2024 and Kamala Harris, underscore his relevance, though some fans on X lament the move away from his irreverent humor.
These interviews, broadcast on Howard 100 and archived for streaming, continue to draw listeners, but SiriusXM's focus on younger hosts like James Corden and Andy Cohen suggests a strategic pivot.
SiriusXM's younger audience strategy is reshaping its content landscape, with deals for Call Her Daddy (2.5 million Instagram followers) and SmartLess aimed at attracting Gen Z and millennial subscribers.
The company's $9.99 monthly streaming app, launched in 2023, targets listeners beyond car-based satellite radio, offering exclusive podcast content and early episode access.
Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein emphasized a "great bench" of talent, including Alex Cooper and Conan O'Brien, to complement Stern without replacing him. However, with Stern's audience aging and a 1.6% subscriber churn rate, SiriusXM's $2.2 billion revenue in Q2 2024 relies on diversifying to counter a 2% revenue dip, raising questions about Stern's fit in this new direction.
Howard Stern's retirement speculation has grown as he approaches 72, with his contract's end looming.
Stern has hinted at stepping away, telling listeners in 2024, "I'm at the point where I could stop if I wanted." His evolution, credited to psychotherapy and a tamer show format, has sparked mixed reactions, with fans criticizing his political stances, such as urging Trump supporters to stop listening.
If Stern retires, SiriusXM retains his 23,000-hour archive until 2027, ensuring his voice persists. Yet, Greenstein insists the company is prepared, with new talent like Dylan Douglas targeting younger listeners, signaling a future beyond Stern's iconic presence.
The uncertainty surrounding Stern's SiriusXM future reflects broader shifts in media consumption, mirroring Kenya's economic challenges with declining bribe averages due to inflation.
As SiriusXM navigates subscriber growth and Stern weighs his next move, his legacy as a radio pioneer endures, even as the industry evolves toward younger, digital-first audiences.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.