The ongoing saga between Howard Stern and SiriusXM centers on speculation about the future of The Howard Stern Show as his current five-year, $500 million contract nears its expiration in fall 2025.
Reports from various sources, including The U.S. Sun, claim that SiriusXM may not renew Stern’s contract due to financial disagreements, with insiders suggesting the company views his salary as unsustainable amid a shift toward podcasts and digital content. Some sources speculate that SiriusXM’s offer will not meet Stern’s financial expectations, potentially leading to his exit, though a deal to retain access to his vast production library is likely.
Adding fuel to the rumors, posts on X and media outlets like The Independent and Radar Online have claimed the show is set to be “canceled,” citing Stern’s evolving style, declining audience, and his vocal political stances, particularly his criticism of Trump and Trump voters. However, these claims remain unconfirmed, as neither Stern nor SiriusXM have officially announced the show’s cancellation.
In response to the rumors, Stern made an unscheduled return to SiriusXM on August 6, 2025, during his summer hiatus, hosting a surprise broadcast with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich to announce a new “Maximum Metallica” channel. SiriusXM also aired a promotional ad leaning into the cancellation rumors, teasing that Stern would address the speculation on September 2, 2025.
The move suggests both Stern and SiriusXM are engaging with the narrative strategically, possibly to drum up interest or manage contract negotiations publicly.
Stern, now 71, has been with SiriusXM since 2006, following a high-profile move from terrestrial radio to escape FCC censorship. His show, once drawing 20 million listeners in terrestrial syndication, reportedly had 2.7 million subscribers in 2020, though some claim numbers have dropped significantly.
SiriusXM’s broader challenges, including stagnant subscriber growth (around 30 million) and a 2% drop in ad revenue, may pressure the company to cut costs, with Stern’s $100 million annual deal a prime target.