Let’s get one thing clear: Howard Stern is not being fired from SiriusXM. Yet. What’s fuelling the drama is a swirl of rumours that some interpret as a full-blown cancellation for the man who has been at the forefront of radio for decades.
So what’s really going on?
Howard’s current five‑year, $500 million contract is coming to an end this fall, and insiders say SiriusXM will make an offer—but one they fully expect him to turn down. The problem? Curisouly, perhaps not just money.
SEE ALSO: Cringeworthy conversations between Donald Trump and Howard Stern emerge
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“I don’t agree with Trump… I hate the people who vote for him”
Reports claim Sirius and Stern will not agree on a fee and it’s no longer worth the $100 million per year investment. He will, however, likely want to make a deal to retain the rights to his program library and may agree on a shorter-term deal: “‘He may do a 1-2 year contract if they can meet him where he wants financially. He doesn’t want to pull the plug on his employees like this,” an insider told the Daily Mail.
At the same time, there’s a growing suggestion that the decision isn’t driven by ratings alone—though his listenership has plunged from a reported 20 million daily listeners to about 125,000. Political tensions may be a factor too.
Stern used to regularly welcome Trump on his program but a political u-turn saw him evolve into a liberal, even becoming an outspoken critic of Trump – something that may not sit well with SiriusXM.
“I don’t agree with Trump politically, I don’t think he should be anywhere near the White House. I don’t hate the guy. I hate the people who vote for him. I think they’re stupid. I do. I’ll be honest with you, I have no respect for you,” Stern said in 2024.
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