Is the Howard Stern Show Facing Cancellation? Unpacking the SiriusXM Rumors

Howard Stern is rumored to be off the airwaves following the purported cancellation of the beloved The Howard Stern Show.

On Wednesday, August 6, multiple outlets reported that Stern’s show was canceled, which began airing on Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006. Stern, who launched his radio career in the 1980s, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.

In a 2010 episode, Stern played a prank on Sal Governale, leading him to believe he was retiring. While delivering the news, Stern remarked that the announcement was “hard to say.”

“I was faced with either continuing the radio show or possibly changing my life entirely,” Stern remarked at that time. “My wife wants me home more. I spoke with the company, but they were inflexible about altering my schedule. My hands started to shake, and I decided against it. I called Sirius last night and informed them, ‘I can’t sign this.’ I regretfully want to say that I’m heading off into the sunset.”

As Governale began to tear up, Stern revealed that his retirement was a prank. Scroll down for what we know about the potential official cancellation of The Howard Stern Show:

What Has Howard Stern Said About His Alleged Show Cancellation?

Stern has not yet commented on the rumors regarding the cancellation of The Howard Stern Show. Us Weekly has reached out to both The Howard Stern Show and Stern’s attorney for a statement.

What Has SiriusXM’s President Said About Howard Stern Leaving?

SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein mentioned in The Hollywood Reporter in 2024 that he didn’t believe Stern had plans to leave.

“He’s been with me and the company for nearly two decades, and he’s quite content, but like many esteemed artists, he can choose to stop whenever he pleases,” he stated. “No one will ever take his place. We wouldn’t even attempt to replace him. That wouldn’t be appropriate or practical.”

During a Q&A on a 2024 earnings call, Greenstein expressed his hope that Stern “continues forever,” according to People.

“As for Howard, he’s truly unique. When Johnny Carson and others retired, no one expected the new hosts to replace them; they were merely filling in those time slots,” he remarked, praising Stern’s ability to “continue to excel and bring us awareness and everything else that accompanies his work.”

When Did Howard Stern Renew His Previous SiriusXM Contract?

Stern renewed his SiriusXM contract in 2020 with a five-year, $500 million deal, according to Forbes. After signing the extension, Stern stated that SiriusXM had “liberated” him. He added, as reported by People, “Now that I can work from home, I have no excuses to quit.”