An Unconventional Announcement
Howard Stern, the self-proclaimed “King of All Media,” put an end to weeks of intense speculation on Monday, September 8, 2025, by announcing he will remain with SiriusXM. However, in true Stern fashion, the reveal was preceded by a masterfully executed prank that left his loyal listeners momentarily stunned. Fans tuning into his channel were greeted not by Stern, but by the voice of Bravo executive and personality Andy Cohen, who claimed he was taking over the iconic slot. In a pre-recorded bit, a seemingly flustered Cohen introduced the channel’s new name, “Andy 100,” and apologized for the abrupt transition, stating, “This was supposed to be a cleaner hand off — I’m kind of winging it.”
Shortly after, Stern took to the airwaves, revealing the gag and thanking Cohen for his participation. The elaborate prank served as a dramatic prelude to the news his audience had been eagerly awaiting: “The Howard Stern Show” isn’t going anywhere. According to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com, Stern confirmed he had finalized a new deal to continue his long-running program on the satellite radio platform.
Fueling the Fire of Speculation
The announcement followed a period of uncertainty fueled by online rumors and media reports suggesting that Stern’s contract would not be renewed. Stern, 71, admitted he had been contemplating retirement but felt compelled to stay after seeing false narratives circulate. He cited several pieces of “fake news,” including a fabricated report about the death of his long-time co-host Robin Quivers and another claiming he was fired for being “too woke.”
“I’m very happy at Sirius,” Stern told his audience, expressing his appreciation for SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz. He explained that the media buzz had an unintended positive effect, leading to interest from other companies eager to pick up his show. Ultimately, the speculation surrounding his departure only strengthened his resolve to continue broadcasting. The announcement, originally planned for September 2, was delayed a week, which Stern attributed to a recent illness.
A Landmark Partnership Continues
Howard Stern’s relationship with satellite radio began in 2004 when he signed a landmark five-year, $500 million contract with Sirius, a move designed to escape the stringent content regulations and hefty fines imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on terrestrial radio. “The Howard Stern Show” officially debuted on Sirius in January 2006 and has been a cornerstone of the platform ever since, attracting millions of dedicated subscribers.
His most recent five-year renewal was signed in 2020. While the financial terms of this latest agreement have not been disclosed, past renewals have been estimated to be in the range of $80 million to $100 million annually. SiriusXM executives had previously expressed confidence that a deal would be reached. On September 3, CEO Jennifer Witz remarked at an investment conference, “I think he’s been core to our platform for over 20 years, so I’m confident we’ll get to the right place.”
For nearly two decades, Stern has hosted a wide array of guests, from A-list actors and musicians to comedians and politicians, all while flanked by his veteran team, including co-host Robin Quivers, writer Fred Norris, and producer Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate. With this new contract, listeners are assured that the iconic host will continue to broadcast from his satellite radio throne for the foreseeable future.
