Howard Stern had listeners convinced he was leaving SiriusXM satellite radio after nearly 20 years. On Monday morning, host Andy Cohen opened Stern’s show and declared it was now “Andy 100.”
The bit sparked breaking news reports across outlets like The Associated Press before Stern returned 10 minutes later to clear the air. He told his audience that contract talks are still underway, and that he has no plans to walk away just yet.
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The contract behind the chaos
Stern’s five-year deal, signed in 2020, was estimated at $500 million total, or $100 million a year. That agreement is winding down, and since August, fans have speculated whether it would be renewed.
Stern said on air Monday that SiriusXM executives and his team are trying to “figure out a deal that makes sense.” He admitted that, as much as he’d like to retire, he can’t right now or people would assume he was pushed out.
The prank hit hard with his fan base. According to The Hollywood Reporter, one listener even called SiriusXM in tears to cancel their subscription — only to re-subscribe after learning Stern was staying.
CNN reported that SiriusXM shares dipped 2% in premarket trading Monday morning before rebounding once Stern confirmed he was still with the company.
Clarifying the rumors
The media personality stressed there is “zero truth” to speculation that his show was canceled for being “too woke.” He also pushed back against other rumors about his future, insisting he is “very happy” at SiriusXM and is still in ongoing talks.
Another positive he’s taking away from the negotiations is that he’s heard from several companies interested in picking the show up if he were to leave SiriusXM.
Stern has been the company’s most valuable personality since leaving terrestrial radio for Sirius in 2006. His show helped transform the satellite service into a powerhouse, becoming a 33-million-subscriber app in 2019.
While numbers have shifted in recent years, analysts note Stern remains a key retention driver for the brand. SiriusXM’s future still hinges heavily on whether the 71-year-old broadcaster inks another deal.
