Stern’s FAKE FIRING Fools Wall Street!
Howard Stern insists his SiriusXM show continues, but his contract renewal remains unsettled.
At a Glance
- Stern’s SiriusXM deal expires in late 2025.
- A prank announcement briefly sent SiriusXM shares down.
- Streaming rivals and podcasts now dominate listener growth.
- Alex Cooper’s rise challenges Stern inside SiriusXM.
Stern’s Prank Shakes Investors
Howard Stern staged a stunt claiming he was fired. The joke caused a short dip in SiriusXM’s stock price before he revealed the gag.
He told listeners the show remains on air while talks continue. The bit underscored uncertainty around his expiring deal and SiriusXM’s heavy reliance on his voice.
Watch now: Howard Stern returns to SiriusXM show after faking out fans that Andy Cohen was taking over
Contract Fight Looms
Stern’s current deal, worth $100 million per year, ends in December 2025. SiriusXM says talks are active but no new agreement is signed.
He admitted speculation about cancellation made him weigh retirement. Executives insist they want Stern to stay, but rivals in streaming weaken his leverage.
Streaming Pressures Mount
Spotify’s global reach dwarfs SiriusXM’s 33 million subscribers. Younger audiences favor podcasts, leaving satellite radio with shrinking growth.
Stern once drew 20 million daily listeners in terrestrial radio. Today, his numbers are far smaller, raising doubts about his market value.
Rival Podcasters Rise
Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, signed a $125 million deal that boosted her status at SiriusXM. Reports claim Stern avoids crossing paths with her.
Executives reportedly keep their schedules apart to prevent tension. The contrast highlights SiriusXM’s shifting focus toward younger podcast stars over aging radio icons.
What’s Next?
Stern returned to the air September 8 after delaying his comeback by a week. He used the show to joke about rumors while confirming he was not canceled.
Even without a new contract, his archive remains lucrative for SiriusXM. But the network may face a reckoning if he walks at the end of 2025.
Sources
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