Howard Stern is expanding his media presence with a new deal that will bring filmed episodes of his SiriusXM show to HBO Max. The move, described by insiders as a "big middle finger" to critics, also includes a scaled-back live broadcast schedule on SiriusXM and the discontinuation of his Howard 101 channel.
New Format and Reach
The partnership with HBO Max will feature weekly filmed episodes of "The Howard Stern Show," beginning September 17. New episodes will drop on Thursdays, with periodic extras. This marks a significant expansion from the short video clips previously available to SiriusXM listeners. Stern stated that he was honored to bring his show to HBO Max for worldwide distribution, allowing a wider audience to view the celebrity interviews, staff antics, and his conversations with co-host Robin Quivers.
Stern expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, calling it a "career highlight" and expressing his desire to emulate the success of figures like David Letterman, whose Netflix series "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" features extended interviews with prominent guests. Stern hopes the new visual format will attract A-list guests and potentially lead to an Emmy nomination and win.
Changes at SiriusXM
Stern's return to SiriusXM on September 14 will feature one new live broadcast each Monday, a reduction from his previous two-show-a-week schedule. Concurrently, Howard 101, which aired archive shows, will be removed from the SiriusXM lineup. Radio Andy, hosted by Andy Cohen, will move into Channel 101. Stern's primary channel, Howard 100, will remain on Channel 100 and will introduce "Wrap Up Wednesday," an expanded version of "Wrap Up Show," along with new features to access his extensive back catalogue through the SiriusXM app, including "Howard Stern Decades."
Insider reports this summer suggested staff reductions as Stern adjusted his live radio workload, though specific numbers have not been confirmed by Stern or SiriusXM. The changes come as Stern's previous five-year deal with SiriusXM was approaching its end in 2025, fueling speculation about his future with the satellite radio provider.
A Calculated Move
This expansion into filmed television episodes is seen by some as a strategic move to counter perceptions of his career winding down. Stern previously engaged in a public relations maneuver in September of the previous year, staging a fake exit from SiriusXM and humorously hinting at Andy Cohen as his successor, only to later announce a new three-year contract. This HBO Max deal, insiders suggest, is another way for Stern to assert control over his narrative and address critics who have questioned his relevance.
"Howard is in a really good mood with his new HBO deal. He feels that it is a big middle finger to all his critics who either want him done or think that he is done," an insider told the Daily Mail. The move also allows Stern to further explore his 'King of All Media' persona, building on his past success with television and other ventures beyond radio. His E! series, which ran from 1994 to 2005, also featured A-list guests and a behind-the-scenes look at his show's production.