Howard Stern may have spent the better part of four decades poking fun at everyone else, but lately, it’s the King of All Media himself who has become tabloid fodder. For weeks, rumors swirled that Stern was done with Sirius XM, plotting his grand exit in search of “greener pastures” (translation: HBO or Netflix money).
And then—plot twist—Stern did what Stern does best: he kept everyone guessing, then turned around and signed another mega-deal to stay exactly where he is. According to RadarOnline and multiple industry insiders, Stern’s new arrangement with Sirius XM locks him in long-term, with whispers of a $500 million, five-year contract.
So what gives? Why did Stern suddenly change his tune? And is his throne at Sirius XM still as secure as it once was, or are younger, glossier voices threatening to edge him out?
Let’s take a look inside Stern’s latest career gamble — and the off-mic feuds, insecurities, and big money drama that make this deal juicier than a Stern show prank call.
The Rumor Mill: Is Stern Still Worth Half a Billion?
Earlier this summer, it looked like Stern’s time at Sirius XM might finally be up. Whispers of declining ratings began circulating, with critics claiming he’d gone “too woke” for his traditional shock-jock audience. Suddenly, people were asking questions that would have been unthinkable ten years ago: is Howard Stern still worth it?
The gossip didn’t stop there. Reports claimed Stern was floating the idea of jumping ship to HBO or Netflix, perhaps for a streaming special, or even to reinvent himself in the podcast space. The pitch? If he was going down, he was going down on his own terms.
But then, seemingly out of nowhere, Sirius XM locked him into a new deal. The message was clear: they’re not ready to let their most expensive star walk — not yet.
Money Talks, Even for Howard
The numbers floating around are staggering: a $500 million deal, supposedly one of the largest in media. That figure alone raises eyebrows in an era where even legacy stars struggle to justify astronomical salaries.
Stern, for his part, has positioned the deal as a victory for artistic control. He’s reportedly insisted the network still needs him more than he needs them — a bold claim in an industry where new voices are constantly circling for a shot at the mic.
But is it really that simple? According to sources, Sirius XM executives were not thrilled about Stern’s shrinking relevance with younger listeners. And the rise of podcasts has made even the most loyal Stern fans wonder: why pay for Sirius when you can get a hundred new shows for free?
The Alex Cooper Problem
If Stern’s deal is secure, his ego may not be. Word inside Sirius XM is that Stern has grown increasingly frustrated by the rise of Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast, which has outperformed Stern’s numbers and landed a mega-millions deal of its own.
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Insiders claim studio executives are working overtime to keep Stern and Cooper from crossing paths in the hallways, fearing an explosion worthy of pay-per-view. And honestly, who could blame them? For a man who once defined himself as radio’s enfant terrible, being overshadowed by a millennial podcast star has got to sting.
“Howard couldn’t fathom that his four-decade reign could be toppled by a podcast that’s barely out of its training bra,” one insider joked. “It’s like being dethroned by TikTok.”
This must make Howard soooo jealous! Bet she doesn’t need over 70 useless people to run her show either!
Is This the End for Howard Stern? Alex Cooper's 'Call Her Daddy' $125M Podcast Deal 'Could Make Shock Jock Expendable at Sirius XM' via @radar_online https://t.co/Q7UgFgAedd
— Radio Gunk 🎙 (@RadioGunk) August 23, 2024
Jerry Seinfeld’s “Oops” Moment
Adding insult to injury, even Jerry Seinfeld managed to stir up trouble. Last year, Seinfeld appeared on a podcast with David Spade and Dana Carvey, where he remarked that Stern’s comedy had been “outflanked” by fresher acts.
The comment sparked headlines, with fans wondering if Stern had officially lost his edge. Seinfeld later apologized, clarifying that he meant Stern must feel “surrounded” by new shows, not defeated by them.
Still, the damage was done. If even Seinfeld is accidentally shading you, the whispers about your decline aren’t just coming from the haters anymore.
Jerry Seinfeld: I'm never not working on material. Every second of my existence, I'm thinking, could I do something with that?
Howard Stern: That, to me, sounds torturous.
Seinfeld: Your blessing in life is when you find the torture you're comfortable with. pic.twitter.com/41pUC53Uud
— Billy Oppenheimer (@bpoppenheimer) March 6, 2023
Stern’s Teaser and the “Big Reveal”
Of course, in classic Stern fashion, he didn’t sit idly by while the rumor mill churned. He dropped a cryptic Instagram teaser hinting that “all the questions will be answered” on September 2.
The narrator in the video teased revelations about backstage drama, withheld jokes, and leaks to the press — all promising a vintage Stern-style tell-all moment. It’s the kind of stunt Stern built his empire on: controversy, suspense, and just enough self-deprecation to keep you hooked.
Whether he’ll deliver or just drag it out remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: Stern is not going quietly.
Can Stern Still Shock in 2025?
The bigger question here isn’t whether Stern has the money (he does) or the deal (it’s done). The real issue is whether Howard Stern still matters in a cultural landscape that looks nothing like it did when he stormed into Sirius XM in 2006.
Once the ultimate outsider, Stern is now the establishment. His rivals aren’t stuffy old FCC regulators anymore; they’re TikTok stars, YouTubers, and podcasters who pull in millions of views overnight without half a billion dollars in their bank accounts.
Stern still insists he’s the one with staying power — that when the dust settles, he’ll be the last man standing. And maybe he’s right. But for a man whose career was built on being unpredictable, signing yet another deal with Sirius XM feels surprisingly safe.
Conclusion: Stern’s Gamble
Howard Stern has made a career out of proving people wrong, and this latest Sirius XM deal is no exception. After weeks of speculation, feuds, and backroom gossip, the King of All Media has once again planted his flag where it’s been for nearly two decades.
But with rising competition, lingering insecurities, and a cultural landscape shifting beneath his feet, Stern’s real challenge may not be holding onto his paycheck — it’s holding onto his relevance.
Because the one thing money can’t buy, even in a half-billion-dollar deal, is time.
