Howard Stern Claps Back with Bold Comeback Plan
ENTERTAINMENT
Howard Stern fires back at critics with sharp response… as insiders spill details on his bold comeback plan for a brand-new show.
Howard Stern, 71, is gearing up for a bold comeback as uncertainty surrounds the future of his long-running SiriusXM radio show.
The iconic shock jock has helmed The Howard Stern Show since 2006, but with his $500 million, five-year contract nearing its end, rumors are swirling that the show could be “doomed” amid claims he’s gone “woke” and suffered a drop in listeners.
A source told the Daily Mail that Stern is “pumped up” and determined to “prove people wrong again,” confident he remains “the best” at what he does—even if that means exploring opportunities beyond SiriusXM.
“He’s in a bring-it-on state of mind right now,” the insider revealed. “Howard knows what he likes, and while he could dwell on the challenges, this is nothing new to him. He isn’t blaming his age; he knows the world has changed, and he’s adapted—otherwise, he wouldn’t still be here.”
The source added that Stern remains skeptical about the explosion of podcasts: “He doesn’t love that anyone can now have a radio show. But he truly believes he’s the best, and that people can still learn a lot from him instead of writing him off.”
For now, Stern is eyeing major streaming platforms like HBO or Netflix as potential landing spots—part of a plan to close out his career entirely on his own terms.
According to the source, “All this uncertainty is actually music to Howard’s ears. He thrives in moments like this. He always needs a personal ‘bad guy’ in the story. In the past, it was NBC—just look at his movie. Then it was Simon Cowell after the America’s Got Talent fallout. Now, after nearly 20 years, the honeymoon with SiriusXM may be ending. Still, he wants to work something out to stay, especially for the sake of his team, who would be most impacted.”
If things with SiriusXM do collapse, Stern has already explored opportunities with HBO and Netflix. “If it goes bad, it’s not the end—it’s just another chapter. His story isn’t finished. He wants to end things his way, and he believes he’s earned that after everything he’s contributed to the medium,” the insider added.
The recent loss of several important figures in Stern’s life—his father Ben in 2022, close friend and stylist Ralph Cirella in 2023, and longtime agent Don Buchwald last year—has also made him reflect deeply on his future.
“Howard has thought about retirement even before all this speculation began. It’s been one thing after another hitting him,” the source explained. “If he signs with SiriusXM again—or anywhere else—it will be his final contract. And if Sirius walks away, he already has a backup plan. He’s not going to let anyone else dictate the end of his career but himself.”