Was ‘The Howard Stern Show’ Canceled? Here’s What Really Happened at SiriusXM

Amid an evolving entertainment landscape, a report surfaced in August 2025 claiming that “The Howard Stern Show” will be canceled after almost two decades. Host Howard Stern, who has led the show with SiriusXM, has a multi-million-dollar contract set to expire later this year. So, is it true — was Howard’s show about to be canceled? His brief absence from the most recent September 2025 episode with Andy Cohen caused confusion among viewers.

The rumors about Stern circulated on the heels of the shocking cancelation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which CBS (a Paramount Global company) defended as a “financial decision.” The decision was considered controversial, though, because the network had just settled its lawsuit with Donald Trump.

Below, find out what happened to “The Howard Stern Show.”

What Is Howard Stern’s SiriusXM Salary?

Stern’s salary from SiriusXM ranges between $80 million and $100 million per year, according to multiple outlets. His five-year contract extension with the company equates to around $500 million in total.

Stern currently boasts a net worth of $650 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.

Is Howard Stern Being Canceled by SiriusXM?

No, apparently Stern is not canceled by SiriusXM, despite initial reports. His contract with the company is about to expire at the end of 2025. He signed a five-year extension with the broadcasting company in December 2020.

“The Howard Stern Show” is expected to be canceled, according to The U.S. Sun. The outlet reported on August 5, 2025, that SiriusXM is “planning to make [Stern] an offer, [and] they don’t intend for him to take it.”

“Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want,” an insider told the outlet, adding that the radio show is “no longer worth the investment.”

The source further alleged that there’s “no way” SiriusXM “can keep paying [Stern’s] salary,” even pointing to Stephen Colbert‘s show’s cancelation.

“After you saw what happened with Stephen Colbert, it’s like they just can’t afford to keep him going,” the insider added.

A separate source told the publication that Stern’s show’s rumored cancelation has “everything to do with the political climate,” since the host is a critic of the Republican president.

He even delayed his return for another few days until Andy Cohen was suddenly in his seat during a September 8, 2025, episode.

What Happened to Howard Stern? Find Out if Andy Cohen Replaced Him

During the September 8, 2025, episode of the SiriusXM show, Cohen briefly explained Stern’s initial absence.

“I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go,” Cohen began. “This was supposed to be a cleaner hand off. I’m kind of winging it.”

Calling that morning “surreal,” it sounded like Stern abruptly left SiriusXM. Cohen elaborated, “I can’t overstate what Howard has meant to this company and what he did for SiriusXM. He walked so that we could run. I can’t possibly fill his void.”

However, it was all an act! Stern ended up revealing the joke during the episode and said, “I’m very happy at Sirius.”