Howard Stern Delays Radio Comeback and Major Career Announcement Until Next Week

Howard Stern’s Listener Drop and Delayed Comeback

Howard Stern, known for his controversial humor, has reportedly seen his audience plummet from 20 million to just 125,000. He had mentioned in mid-August that he would announce a significant update regarding his radio career after his summer break.

However, on Monday evening, just hours before his expected return, he sent an email to 95 staff members announcing a postponement. It seems we will have to wait another week.

What’s causing the trouble?

There are two main theories circulating. One suggests that it relates to Stern’s 98-year-old mother’s health issues. The other is connected to ongoing contract negotiations with Sirius XM.

Stern has been with Sirius for two decades. In 2006, he notably helped bring attention to satellite radio with a 10-year, $500 million deal, which was extended in 2016. Rumors now hint that Sirius might not renew his contract at all.

Could contract disputes be contributing to the delays? Is Sirius looking for options in the event that he doesn’t return?

Who knows, really?

Does it even matter? It’s understandable for Sirius to feel frustrated. They entered into an agreement with Howard Stern, but many argue he hasn’t been the same for quite some time. The bold, edgy shock jock has seemingly transformed into something more akin to a professor in women’s studies.

Some might say Howard Stern has completely changed his persona.

Former colleague Steve Grillo expressed this sentiment well, saying, “If the old Howard Stern time-traveled to today, he’d want to punch this version of himself in the face.”

It’s a similar situation with David Letterman.

Grillo also suggests that the recent delay may be a tactic to reignite Stern’s relevance and repair his tarnished reputation.

So now, it appears that we will have to wait until Monday for answers. Has Sirius offered to extend Stern’s contract? And if they did, for how long? Did he agree to less favorable terms? Might he retire? Could he even consider heading into the podcasting realm?

I can’t help but wonder why he needs 95 staff members in the first place.

Honestly, I was never a huge fan. I tried to get into his show during its peak in the late ’90s, but honestly, he was a bit too over the top for my taste. It just didn’t resonate with me. Watching his biopic, *Private Parts*, I found myself feeling more empathy for the supposed antagonist than for him.

There’s always been a certain arrogance about him that rubbed me the wrong way. A notable incident from 1999, when he allowed a caller to mock the emotionally vulnerable Dana Plato, serves as a prime example of his contentious persona.