Howard Stern signs new three-year deal with SiriusXM

Howard Stern announced Tuesday he has signed a three-year contract extension with SiriusXM, ending months of speculation about whether the 71-year-old radio host would remain with the satellite radio company.bloomberg+2

The deal, which extends Stern's relationship with SiriusXM through 2028, follows his nearly two-decade tenure since joining the platform in 2006, though financial terms were not disclosed and his previous five-year contract was reportedly worth around $100 million annually.radioinsight+2

The renewal is critical for SiriusXM as a Credit Suisse analysis estimated that roughly 15% of Stern's listeners—about 2.7 million subscribers—might cancel if he departed, while the company pursues $200 million in cost savings amid declining subscriber numbers.yahoo+2

Howard Stern announced Tuesday morning that he has signed a new three-year contract with SiriusXM Sirius XM Holdings Inc. , ending months of speculation about the radio icon's future with the satellite radio company he helped build.

"I'm happy to announce that I figured out a way to have it all," Stern, 71, told listeners on his show. "More free time and continuing to be on the radio. So yes, we are coming back for three years."bloomberg+3

The new agreement extends Stern's relationship with SiriusXM through the end of 2028, marking nearly two decades since he made the transition from terrestrial to satellite radio in January 2006. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, though Stern's previous five-year deal was valued at approximately $100 million annually, according to multiple reports.radioinsight+5

Months of Uncertainty

Stern's future became a topic of intense media attention after reports emerged in August suggesting his show might be canceled. The speculation intensified when Stern pulled an elaborate prank in September with fellow SiriusXM host Andy Cohen, who briefly announced on-air that he was taking over Stern's channel after the radio host had been fired.alternativenation+6

According to Bloomberg, Stern explained Tuesday that he only learned of his contract status over the weekend, noting "You know why there are no leaks? Because I didn't know anything until the weekend — whether I was staying or going."bloomberg+1

SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz had expressed confidence in October that negotiations would reach "the right place," telling The Hollywood Reporter, "He has a lot of fans on the platform. And I'm encouraged."news.ssbcrack+2

Strategic Importance

Stern remains central to SiriusXM's subscriber base despite the company facing challenges. A 2020 Credit Suisse analysis estimated that approximately 15% of Stern's listeners—roughly 2.7 million subscribers—might cancel their subscriptions if he departed.news.ssbcrack+4

SiriusXM reported 33 million total subscribers in the third quarter of 2025, down from approximately 34 million in 2020. The company has been implementing cost-cutting measures targeting $200 million in annual savings while diversifying its content lineup with podcasters and hosts including Alex Cooper and Andy Cohen.yahoo+6

Stern indicated the new contract will provide "more flexibility," suggesting his on-air schedule may become less frequent than his previous commitment.hollywoodreporter+3

Sources (77)