Howard Stern had his fans buzzing Monday morning with a playful joke. He pretended that Andy Cohen had taken over his slot on SiriusXM. This came after earlier rumors that his contract might not get renewed, sparking a lot of chatter.
Last week, Stern had planned to return to the air on September 2 to tackle those rumors. But he later postponed his return to September 8, hinting that his contract situation was still unclear.
On his show, Stern expressed thoughts about retirement but felt he couldn’t walk away just yet. He mentioned that the rumors actually led to other companies showing interest in his show. “I’m very happy at Sirius,” he said, giving a nod to SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz.
However, he didn’t confirm any new contract details. His current deal lasts until the end of 2025, and SiriusXM chose not to comment on the matter.
Stern shared that he got quite sick during his summer break, which derailed his plans to discuss the rumors upon his return. He also had to deal with false reports, including one about the death of his co-host, Robin Quivers, and another about being “fired” for being “too woke.” He humorously noted he didn’t fully understand what “woke” meant, suggesting it stemmed from his support of LGBTQ+ rights.
Before Stern’s actual broadcast, Cohen humorously introduced himself, saying, “I can’t possibly fill his void,” acknowledging the challenges of following in Stern’s footsteps.
Stern, now 71, first joined Sirius in 2004 to escape the constraints of traditional radio. His show launched on Sirius in January 2006, a significant moment that allowed him more creative freedom.
Recently, SiriusXM executives confirmed that talks for a new deal with Stern are happening. Witz expressed confidence in reaching an agreement, highlighting Stern’s importance to the platform over the past two decades.
Historically, Stern’s original deal was valued at $500 million over five years. His more recent contracts reportedly average between $80 million to $100 million annually. Given the show’s rich history and Stern’s knack for engaging interviews, fans are eager to see how this all unfolds.
Over the years, Stern has conversed with a variety of personalities—from actors and comedians to politicians—creating a diverse and compelling radio landscape. As listeners wait for more updates, one thing is clear: Howard Stern remains a powerful figure in the world of entertainment.
For those interested in more about Howard Stern’s impact on radio, you can find additional insights in this Bloomberg report.
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Andy Cohen,Howard Stern,SiriusXM