Howard Stern announced Monday that he will remain with SiriusXM, putting to rest widespread retirement and firing rumors after staging an on-air gag that briefly led listeners to believe he was leaving the network.
The 71-year-old radio host opened his show by having Bravo executive Andy Cohen, 57, come on the air and play into reports that Stern was gone. Cohen told listeners, "I know you're expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go," and described the morning as "surreal," saying he was "kind of winging it" as he joked about launching a channel called "Andy 100." Stern later took over the broadcast, thanked Cohen for participating and said the turmoil stemmed from misinformation, not a contract breakdown.
Stern said he had missed last week's shows because he was sick and that recent reports claiming he had been fired or was retiring were false. "None of it is true, zero truth," he said, adding that he had been "minding my own business, enjoying my summer vacation" when the rumors accelerated. He acknowledged feeling frustrated by the speculation and said he was "very happy at Sirius."
The stunt drew mixed reactions online. Some followers praised Cohen's performance and called the moment a well-executed bit; others said the tease caused unnecessary alarm and criticized Stern for reusing a prank similar to one he performed years earlier with musician David Lee Roth. One social media user said the false reports prompted a personal "mental breakdown," while others described the gag as attention-seeking.
The episode comes amid renewed attention on Stern's contract. Reports last month said his roughly $500 million deal with SiriusXM was nearing its end, prompting speculation about whether he would return. SiriusXM executives have publicly expressed a desire to keep him. Scott Greenstein, the company's president and chief content officer, told a media conference that he "would love" for Stern to stay and that the situation "has to make sense" but felt optimistic. CEO Jennifer Witz said SiriusXM was "confident [they would] get to the right place" with their core talent.
Stern's return had been the subject of scheduling uncertainty. He had been expected to resume his regular shows after a summer break on Sept. 2 but delayed the on-air return, initially promising to address the contract questions on that date and then postponing the discussion to Sept. 8. On Monday he said the delay was related to illness and not ongoing negotiations.
The Howard Stern Show originated on SiriusXM in January 2006, two years after Stern signed with the satellite company in 2004. Over two decades, Stern has been a central figure for the platform, and his future at the network has been a frequent subject of industry attention.
Stern's representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment. SiriusXM officials have not disclosed details of any new agreement, and Stern did not outline a long-term contract on the broadcast. He concluded Monday by saying he would "fill everyone in" and would return to his regular schedule, ending the morning's uncertainty with a confirmation that his show will continue on the satellite service.
