Howard Stern’s SiriusXM Run May Be Ending as Staffers ‘Coast’ and Eye New Jobs
The end of Howard Stern’s nearly two-decade run at SiriusXM may be closer than fans think — and insiders say his own staff is already mentally checked out.
According to a report from the New York Post, the writing has “been on the wall for well over a year” that SiriusXM would not renew Stern’s blockbuster $500 million contract, which expires at the end of 2025. Two current “Howard Stern Show” staffers told the outlet that they’ve been quietly looking for new jobs and “coasting” through their final months on the clock.
“Most of us have been coasting at work the last year,” one longtime employee admitted, “because we know he’s retiring, whether by choice or because he’s forced out.”
Ratings Collapse and Office Malaise
The Post reports that the show’s audience has shrunk dramatically — from 20 million daily listeners in its prime to roughly 125,000. Some writers are reportedly saving their best material for future projects, holding back jokes they plan to use after the show wraps.
“It hasn’t been fun for a while,” one staffer said, explaining that uncertainty about Stern’s future has made it difficult to stay motivated. Others described the New York media job market as “incestuous,” making it risky to openly network for new opportunities.
Hints From Stern, Silence From SiriusXM
Stern, 71, has not publicly confirmed his plans, but before heading into his annual summer break, he reportedly hinted in staff meetings that retirement was on the horizon. Both employees who spoke to the Post said they have yet to receive any formal word from SiriusXM or from Stern himself.
The potential end would cap a 19-year run that began when Stern famously jumped from terrestrial radio to satellite in 2006, bringing a massive audience — and an edgier format — to SiriusXM.
Political Shift and Changing Persona
Some staffers believe Stern’s political evolution played a role in the show’s declining popularity. Once friendly with Donald Trump and aligned with Republican figures like Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki, Stern publicly broke with Trump in 2015 and later became an outspoken supporter of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I don’t know if it’s wokeness that alienated some of his audience, or if he just got tamer with age, but… it’s apparent no one wants to hear it anymore,” one employee told the Post.
The same staffer suggested the shift was motivated by Stern’s desire to remain in good standing with Hollywood circles — a theory echoed by colleagues who nicknamed him “Hollywood Howie” after he began mingling with celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Aniston, and Jerry Seinfeld.
Life After COVID — and Personal Losses
Since the pandemic, Stern has largely hosted from his Southampton home, with one staffer describing him as a “hermit.” The past few years have also brought personal tragedy, including the deaths of his father, Ben Stern (2022), his longtime friend and stylist Ralph Cirella (2023), and his agent Don Buchwald (2024).
Fans have complained about the show’s softer interviews and declining energy. “His passion hasn’t been there,” one staffer said. “When your boss doesn’t even seem like he wants to be there, it’s like — why should I bust my ass?”
Could Stern Go the Podcast Route?
While there’s no official indication that Stern will start a podcast, the move would hardly be far-fetched. The format has become a popular landing spot for legacy broadcasters, offering both creative freedom and lucrative sponsorship opportunities.
A Stern-run podcast could allow him to scale back the grueling daily schedule, keep his interviews long-form, and avoid the corporate constraints of satellite radio. But it would also raise questions about whether the shock jock’s brand — built in an era of fewer media competitors — could cut through the hyper-saturated podcast market.
One entertainment industry insider told me that “if Howard wanted to keep working but ditch the grind, podcasting would make sense. But the question is whether he still has the fire for it.”
What’s Next for Stern?
Neither Stern nor SiriusXM responded to the Post’s requests for comment.
However, a separate report from the Daily Mail claims Stern could pivot to a streaming deal with platforms like Netflix or Max. One source told the outlet that Stern “thrives in this element of the unknown,” suggesting the shock jock may be keeping his next move deliberately under wraps.
For now, the future of the “Howard Stern Show” remains in limbo — but inside the studio, it seems the staff is already bracing for the final curtain call. And if Stern’s history is any indication, he’ll make sure the way he bows out — or reinvents himself — is entirely on his own terms.
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