For two decades, Howard Stern has been a titan of SiriusXM, the self-proclaimed "King of All Media" who brought his boundary-pushing radio show to the satellite platform in a blaze of glory. But now, after 20 years and a jaw-dropping $100 million annual salary, SiriusXM is pulling the plug.
The company has decided that Stern’s show—once a juggernaut of provocative entertainment—is no longer worth the hefty price tag. With his contract nearing its end, SiriusXM isn’t planning to renew it at anywhere near the same rate, marking the end of an iconic run.
So, why is this happening? It’s a mix of a cultural shift, Stern’s prickly attitude, a show that’s gone stale, and a paycheck that far outstrips its current value. And as Stern fades out, whispers of a bold replacement are emerging: the InfoWars team is gearing up to pitch Alex Jones as his successor—a move that could flip SiriusXM’s culture on its head.
A Brief History: From Shock Jock to SiriusXM Staple
Howard Stern joined SiriusXM in 2006, leaving the world of terrestrial radio behind for a lucrative deal that gave him free rein to say whatever he wanted, FCC be damned. Back then, it was a game-changer. Stern’s mix of crude humor, celebrity interviews, and no-filter commentary made his show one of the platform’s biggest draws. Listeners couldn’t get enough of the shock jock who’d built his career on pushing the envelope. For years, he thrived, raking in millions and cementing SiriusXM as a haven for unfiltered content. But as the years rolled on, the cracks started to show.
The Culture Shift: From Edgy to Tame
One of the biggest reasons for Stern’s fall from grace is the cultural shift—both in the world and in his own show. The Howard Stern of the ’90s and early 2000s was a rebel, a guy who’d say anything to get a reaction. But in recent years, he’s softened. His once-infamous shock jock style has given way to a more politically correct, mainstream vibe. He’s traded outrageous stunts for polished celebrity interviews—think less "naked guests" and more "cozy chats with Ellen." It’s a pivot that’s left many long-time fans scratching their heads, wondering where the old Howard went.
This shift hasn’t just been about content; it’s been personal, too. Stern’s become outspokenly political, especially in his disdain for Donald Trump and his supporters. In one memorable rant, he declared, “I hate the people who vote for [Trump]. I think they’re stupid,” a line that didn’t exactly win him friends among a chunk of his audience. For a guy who built his empire on irreverence, this move toward sanctimony has alienated the very listeners who once saw him as their unapologetic voice. The culture around him has changed—and Stern hasn’t kept up.
Stern’s Attitude: A Personality That’s Worn Thin
Then there’s Stern himself. The man’s never been known for playing nice, and his prickly attitude has become a liability. He’s had public feuds with everyone from Rosie O’Donnell to his own former staff, earning a reputation as arrogant and tough to work with. Stories of his ego—demanding control over every detail of his show, clashing with producers—have trickled out over the years, painting a picture of a guy who’s more diva than team player. That might’ve been tolerable when his ratings were sky-high, but as his star dims, it’s harder to excuse. Listeners don’t just tune out a stale show—they tune out a host they’ve stopped rooting for.
A Stale Show: Same Old, Same Old
Speaking of stale, let’s talk about the show itself. For 20 years, Stern’s stuck to the same formula: interviews, comedy bits, some music, rinse, repeat. It worked like a charm in the beginning, but two decades later, it’s feeling like a rerun. Fans have complained that the content’s gotten predictable—there’s only so many times you can hear the same schtick before it loses its punch. The edginess that once defined Stern has faded, replaced by a safer, more repetitive routine. As a result, his audience has shrunk. The numbers don’t lie: fewer people are listening, and SiriusXM’s starting to wonder why they’re shelling out a fortune for a show that’s past its prime.
The Financial Reality: $100 Million Too Much
Which brings us to the money. Stern’s $100 million-a-year salary is astronomical, even by entertainment standards. For years, SiriusXM justified it—Stern was their golden goose, bringing in subscribers and buzz. But as his listenership dwindles and the company tightens its belt, that paycheck’s looking less like an investment and more like a burden. SiriusXM’s been cutting costs across the board—layoffs, budget trims—and Stern’s contract stands out like a sore thumb. Industry insiders have hinted that his salary’s simply not sustainable anymore. “It’s no longer worth the investment,” one source said. When you’re paying someone $100 million to deliver a shrinking audience, the math stops adding up.
The Alex Jones Pitch: A Wild Card in the Wings
So, what’s next for SiriusXM? With Stern on the way out, the company’s eyeing a replacement—and the InfoWars team is ready to throw their hat in the ring with Alex Jones. Yep, that Alex Jones—the conspiracy-spouting, gravel-voiced provocateur who’s been banned from YouTube, Twitter, and just about everywhere else. The pitch is simple: Jones could bring a fresh, rabidly loyal audience to SiriusXM, shaking up a platform that’s grown a little too comfortable. His style—unhinged, unfiltered, and undeniably attention-grabbing—couldn’t be more different from Stern’s current polished act.
But it’s a gamble. Jones isn’t just controversial; he’s a lightning rod. His rants about everything from Sandy Hook to lizard people have made him a pariah in mainstream circles, and bringing him on could spark a backlash from listeners who see him as too toxic. On the flip side, his fans are die-hard, and he’d likely pull in a demographic SiriusXM’s been struggling to reach. If the company greenlights this, it’d be a massive culture shift—swapping Stern’s fading shock for Jones’s full-throttle chaos. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move that could either revitalize the platform or send it into a tailspin.
The End of an Era—and a New Beginning?
Howard Stern’s exit from SiriusXM after 20 years closes a chapter that defined an era of radio. His $100 million salary, once a symbol of his dominance, has become a relic of a time when his show was must-listen material. The culture’s moved on, his attitude’s grated, his content’s stagnated, and his paycheck’s ballooned beyond reason. SiriusXM’s decision to cut ties isn’t just practical—it’s a signal that even the biggest names can’t coast forever.
But as Stern fades out, the door’s open for something new. Will it be Alex Jones, ushering in a wild, polarizing chapter for SiriusXM? Or will the company play it safe with a less explosive replacement? Whatever happens, this moment’s a turning point. The end of Stern’s reign isn’t just a goodbye—it’s a question mark about what comes next. And in the world of radio, where attention is everything, that’s a story worth tuning in for.