Howard Stern says he planned to retire before SiriusXM convinced him to return under a lighter workload. The longtime host revealed the arrangement Monday during his first show back from his summer hiatus.
What We Know: Stern said SiriusXM asked what his ideal job would look like after he decided he was ready to leave broadcasting. He proposed working one day per week, allowing him to spend time with his audience and longtime crew. SiriusXM agreed, and Stern now hosts one weekly show while stepping away from responsibility for Howard 101. The company continues to carry Howard 100, which remains Stern’s primary radio channel. Stern also addressed claims of creating a toxic workplace.
What They Said: “SiriusXM has been phenomenal with me. I was going to leave the business. I was. Because I figured, at my age, how many more (expletive) summers do I have? But they said, ‘What would your ideal job be? What would you like to do?’ And I said I would like to come in one day a week and be on with my audience and get with my crew. And they said, ‘Ok. Whatever work we can get out of you, we will take.'”
“You can’t do better than that. I left (Howard) 101 because I don’t want the responsibility of it anymore. I just want to have one radio channel. By the way, I have two more radio channels that I don’t want to be responsible for. When I signed here, I took on three channels. It’s a lot of work, and I’m trying to lighten my load. I canceled it. It’s exhausting.”
“I’ve never had a summer where I was treated so well in the press. It was so positive. I can’t believe it. I can’t tell you how many different people have called me a scumbag. If you think I’m a scumbag, you’re probably right.” -Howard Stern
What Remains Unclear: Stern didn’t outline how long he expects the one-day-per-week arrangement to continue. He also didn’t provide additional details about the future of the other SiriusXM channels or beyond confirming he no longer wants responsibility for them. Furthermore, Stern didn’t address any of the recent issues regarding mass layoffs on his show.
What It Means: Stern’s comments offer a clearer explanation for the reduced schedule that has fueled retirement speculation. Rather than being pushed out, he says he negotiated a role that gives him more freedom while keeping him connected to his audience.
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