Howard Stern’s decades-long tenure at SiriusXM appears to be drawing to a close, as negotiations falter and the network balks at his salary demands.
SiriusXM sources confirmed that Stern’s contract expires this fall. While the network reportedly plans to extend an offer, insiders say they are unwilling or unable to meet his financial expectations. “Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want,” a source told The Sun, adding that the decision is more budgetary than performance-based.
The insider likened the potential exit to CBS letting go of Stephen Colbert, citing political headwinds and changing corporate climates. “It’s more likely everything to do with the political climate,” the source explained. Rumors suggest Sirius is concerned about how Stern’s outspoken criticism of conservative political figures could alienate audiences or advertisers.
Stern consistently expressed disdain for President Donald Trump and his base on-air. He once declared, “I don’t hate the guy. I hate the people who vote for him… I think they’re stupid.” He later compared Trump’s rhetoric toward immigrants to Adolf Hitler’s propaganda playbook, warning of history repeating itself. These comments fueled controversy and may have factored into Sirius’s reluctance to renew.
Despite the turmoil, Stern may retain rights to his show archive. Reports indicate Sirius is in talks with the entertainer to secure his back catalog, ensuring millions of archived broadcasts remain accessible.
Stern’s departure would end a 20-year era at SiriusXM, where he dominated the airwaves with irreverent pop culture commentary, celebrity interviews, and provocative political takes. Though he remains influential in talk radio, his future plans—whether online, podcast-based, or with another platform—remain unconfirmed.
As negotiations stall and the streaming media landscape evolves, Howard Stern’s exit from SiriusXM may mark the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter in digital audio broadcasting.
