Radio host Howard Stern has addressed rumors about his show’s cancellation. After being off-air for weeks due to contract disputes, Stern clarified that reports of his show being canceled by SiriusXM were false. In his latest broadcast, he read newspaper rumors and stated they were entirely untrue. Stern also mentioned contemplating retirement but decided against it to avoid appearing forced out. He emphasized ongoing discussions with SiriusXM about the future, stating the company has approached him positively.
Stern extended his contract with SiriusXM twice before, in 2010 and again in 2020 with a five-year, $500 million deal. SiriusXM has faced a decline in subscribers, with reported numbers dropping to 33 million in Q2 2025, a net loss of 68,000 from the first quarter and 100,000 fewer than the same period in 2024. The company battles a saturated satellite market and competition from free platforms like Spotify.
Stern, who has called himself the King of All Media, rose to fame in the 1980s during his 20-year stint at the then-WXRK in New York. At its peak, “The Howard Stern Show” was syndicated in 60 markets and drew over 20 million listeners. His past on-air bits included parading strippers through his New York studio and persuading artists to reveal intimate details about their lives.
He has also authored several bestselling books and served as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” from 2012 to 2015.