America's favorite "shock jock" is evidently cutting back. Per Page Six, Howard Stern "has laid off around a dozen staffers from his SiriusXM show...because he's preparing to drop to just one new show a week after Labor Day." His fans probably will not be happy with that new arrangement. However, Stern reportedly inked a contract at the end of 2025 that supposedly allows him much more "flexibility." That apparently translates into fewer new broadcasts. It also seemingly meant layoffs.
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Stern Reportedly Plans To Air Lots of Shows From the Archive
Per the outlet, his axed employees got the word via Zoom on Monday, July 13. With less shows being done and less content needed for them, those people's jobs unfortunately fell by the wayside. They are in line for severance packages. How big they are will vary per the length of time they worked for SiriusXM. Some "veteran producers" will stay on, though. Besides the sole new show weekly, programs from Stern's archive will be aired.
The dollar value of Stern's most recent deal is unclear. Page Six reports that "...his previous five-year contract was worth a staggering $500,000,000."
He Had Some Bumpy Contract Negotiations Last Year
In 2025, Howard Stern got his fans worried. He reportedly indicated that he wasn't returning to the mic after Labor Day. The reason was allegedly his "frustration" with his ongoing contract talks. When Stern signed on the dotted line for three more years in December, he declared on air, "I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all." He also mentioned, "More free time and continuing to be on the radio."
Alluding to his new "flexibility," Stern added, "I do like my days off. You know me, I'm never bored. I'm busy every minute."
Stern Has Had a Long and Successful Radio Career
Per Page Six, he began his radio career back in 1977. Stern was a groundbreaker of the shock jock mode, and he also was great at getting top names on his show. He has been with SiriusXM for twenty years. We'll see what Stern decides to do with his newfound free time.
