Karmazin: Howard Stern Has Many Options

Howard Stern

Howard Stern would have plenty of options, including Netflix or Apple Music, if he were to leave Sirius XM when his contract expires next month, said Mel Karmazin, former CEO of the satellite radio service.

"I really have no idea as to what he's going to do," Karmazin, a longtime supporter of Stern, told "Squawk Box" on CNBC on Wednesday. "He's an extraordinary performer. I think that he would have a tremendous amount of alternatives."

One of Stern's options, according to Karmazin, could involve Stern's 30-year library of radio shows and other material.

"He owns it all. He could syndicate it. He doesn't have to work anymore. He could either sell his company or he could do a 'Law and Order,' a 'Friends,' a 'Seinfeld' and make a whole bunch of money because everyone is in need of content," said Karmazin.

"Howard could also do something, arguably a la Netflix-type," Karmazin speculated. "It's original content. He does the video ... [and] it could be a TV show that could be available worldwide."

Karmazin also said he thinks Apple, which just started its own music streaming service, would be a good fit for Stern. In fact, he said he didn't see any reason why Apple wouldn't want to just buy Sirius.


But as a paying subscriber to Sirius, Karmazin said he hopes "The Howard Stern Show" doesn't go anywhere.

"I think Sirius would be in a position of paying him whatever it takes to keep him," he continued. "My bet would be he would stay, but I have really don't have an idea."