Howard Stern fans were all set for a dramatic return this week, but instead, they’re left waiting—again. The radio legend, whose long-running SiriusXM show has fueled pop culture and controversy for decades, was due to break his silence on the morning of September 2, 2025. Instead, listeners tuning in for answers about his future got reruns and a cryptic bumper: “Today was the day to answer all questions and yet the controversy continues. … Howard Stern will now speak Monday!” The anticipation now stretches to September 8, after Stern’s team quietly posted the new date on social media, urging followers to “stay tuned.”
This unexpected delay is just the latest twist in a summer-long saga that’s had Stern’s fate at SiriusXM under a microscope. The drama kicked off in early August, when The Sun reported that “The Howard Stern Show” was set to be canceled after a 20-year run, citing contract disputes. According to The Sun, an unnamed insider claimed, “Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It’s no longer worth the investment.” The report set off a media firestorm, with fans and pundits alike speculating whether Stern would walk away or ink another lucrative deal.
Adding fuel to the fire, rumors swirled about a steep drop in Stern’s listenership—from a reported 20 million to just 125,000—a figure floated by Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, though never officially confirmed. Meanwhile, The U.S. Sun suggested that Alex Cooper, the star behind the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and head of the Unwell Audio Network, was being positioned to take Stern’s spot as SiriusXM’s top talent. Tensions reportedly simmered between Stern and Cooper, though Stern himself remained mum.
As the speculation mounted, Stern chose to lean into the drama rather than dispel it. In a tongue-in-cheek promo that ran on SiriusXM, a narrator declared, “The tabloids have spoken: Howard Stern fired, canceled, is it really ‘Bye-Bye Booey’? Chaos is swirling at ‘The Howard Stern Show.’ Did staffers talk to the press? Are writers withholding their best jokes? Nobody knows what’s going on or who to trust. Now we can reveal all the questions will be answered, all the truths will be told by the one man truly on the inside. Howard Stern will speak Tuesday September 2.”
But when that promised date arrived, Stern was nowhere to be found. Instead, his show aired a string of commercials and reruns, leaving fans in suspense. About 40 minutes after the show was supposed to start, Stern’s official social media accounts posted a new message, crossing out the September 2 return and writing in September 8, with a simple “Stay Tuned … .”
According to Newsday, Stern had been on vacation all summer, but it was hardly a restful break. The Daily Mail reported that Stern sent an email to his staff on Labor Day evening, citing “frustrations over the new contract” as a reason for the delay. A source told the outlet that family issues—specifically, concerns about Stern’s 97-year-old mother—could also be a factor.
Contract drama is nothing new for Stern. As The Hollywood Reporter points out, the self-styled “King of All Media” has faced questions about his future before, only to emerge with a fresh agreement. His current $500 million, five-year contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, and rumors of retirement or a potential one- or two-year extension have been circulating for weeks. One source told the Daily Mail that “Stern was considering signing a one- or two-year contract, while another said they would officially be parting ways.”
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in on the saga, telling Rolling Stone, “Howard Stern is a name I haven’t heard. I used to do his show. We used to have fun, but I haven’t heard that name in a long time. What happened? He got terminated? You know when he went down? When he endorsed Hillary Clinton, he lost his audience.” Trump’s comments, while dismissive, added a political edge to the already fevered speculation about Stern’s future and his place in American media.
For long-time listeners—and there are still plenty, despite the rumors—Stern’s silence only deepened the intrigue. Many interpreted his promo as a wink to the audience, a sign that he’s not going anywhere and will likely lampoon those celebrating his supposed downfall. As Vulture noted, “If Stern were actually departing, it’s unlikely that only a British tabloid would have the scoop. His representatives would already be in talks with other platforms, and such negotiations almost never escape the notice of U.S. media reporters.”
Industry insiders suggest that the delay may simply be the result of last-minute contract haggling. “Stern and Sirius had hoped his extension would be complete by September 2, but it will take another week to finalize the details,” wrote one observer. “That sort of delay is common in contract negotiations, often held up by minor legal technicalities even after both sides have reached an agreement.”
Still, the uncertainty has left an opening for Stern’s critics—and competitors. The idea that Alex Cooper could take over as SiriusXM’s top draw reflects a broader shift in the radio and podcasting landscape, with new voices and formats challenging the old guard. Stern, who revolutionized radio with his blend of shock humor and raw honesty, now finds himself at a crossroads, both professionally and personally.
As for Stern’s fans, they’ll have to wait until Monday, September 8, at 7 a.m. to hear what the radio icon has to say. Will he announce a new deal, a farewell tour, or something else entirely? At this point, only Stern knows for sure—and he’s not talking, at least not yet.
One thing is certain: the speculation, rumors, and drama surrounding Howard Stern’s future have only heightened the anticipation for his eventual return. Whether he stays, goes, or surprises everyone with a new move, the “King of All Media” still knows how to keep his audience—and the media—hanging on his every word.
