Howard Stern Clarifies SiriusXM Status Amid Retirement Rumors
Howard Stern has confirmed that he has not been fired from SiriusXM, dispelling recent rumors about his potential retirement or contract non-renewal. During a broadcast on Monday, Stern stated that he is in discussions regarding a new contract with the satellite radio station. He emphasized that he and his team are actively negotiating the terms for his future at SiriusXM.
Stern, 71, reassured his listeners, saying, “SiriusXM and my team have been talking about how we go forward in the future. They’ve approached me. They’ve sat down with me like they normally do, and they’re fantastic.” While speculation about his departure has attracted interest from other networks, he expressed satisfaction with his current situation at SiriusXM.
The talk show host addressed various rumors, including claims that he was unhappy about the hiring of podcaster Alex Cooper. Stern clarified that he supports her joining the network, as he holds stock in the company and is interested in growing its subscriber base. “I don’t know Alex Cooper,” he remarked, adding, “And if she is young and bubbly, God bless her because I’m the opposite.”
Stern also dismissed allegations that he had been let go due to being “too woke,” stating there was “zero truth” to those claims. He further refuted rumors suggesting he felt jealousy towards Andy Cohen for being promoted more than him, reiterating, “None of this is going on. None of it is true. Zero truth.”
In light of the circulating rumors, Stern playfully noted, “What pisses me off is now I can’t leave. I’ve been thinking about retiring, now I can’t.” His current contract, which is set to expire at the end of 2025, is valued at approximately $100 million per year. SiriusXM retains the rights to his extensive back catalog through 2027.
Stern’s show has long been a cornerstone of SiriusXM’s programming. A 2020 analysis by Credit Suisse indicated that as many as 15 percent of Stern’s listeners might cancel their subscriptions if he were to leave, potentially leading to a loss of around 2.7 million subscribers.
Currently, SiriusXM is undergoing a cost-cutting strategy aimed at achieving $200 million in annualized savings by 2025. This initiative includes layoffs and reflects the company’s efforts to manage subscriber churn. Despite a slight decline in subscription numbers—from approximately 34 million in 2020 to 33 million in the second quarter of 2023—SiriusXM executives have expressed a desire to retain Stern, provided that any new deal is financially viable.
On the same broadcast, Stern humorously introduced a segment where Cohen pretended to take over his show, jokingly announcing, “This is not the voice that you probably wanted to hear, but it is I, Andy Cohen, and this is our first day broadcasting on Channel 100.”
Stern’s absence the previous week, attributed to illness after attending a Metallica concert, led to heightened speculation about his future. He confirmed he is recovering from a cold, which may impact his broadcasting schedule in the coming days.
As negotiations continue, Stern’s fans remain hopeful for a resolution that will keep him on the air, solidifying his legacy at SiriusXM for years to come.
