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Howard Stern’s Hyped Return to SiriusXM Canceled at the Last Minute Amid Cancellation Rumors
Howard Stern, the legendary shock jock who has dominated American radio for decades, has once again kept fans waiting. His much-hyped return to The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM, scheduled for September 2, was abruptly postponed just hours before it was set to happen. The announcement—made in a social media post that crossed out the original date and pushed Stern’s return to Monday, September 8—has only intensified speculation about the future of his show.
For weeks, SiriusXM had teased that the 71-year-old Howard Stern would use his first broadcast after summer break to address persistent rumors that his iconic program is on the chopping block. Teaser promos even leaned into the gossip, with one asking, “Is it really bye-bye Booey?” But when Tuesday came, Howard Stern was nowhere to be heard.
Contract Tensions and Cancellation Fears
The sudden schedule change comes amid reports that SiriusXM may not renew Howard Stern’s $500 million five-year contract, which expires at the end of 2025. According to Mail Online, Howard Stern himself admitted frustration in a late-night email to his staff of 95 employees, expressing dissatisfaction with ongoing contract negotiations.
Adding fuel to the fire, former president Donald Trump—once a frequent guest on Stern’s show—publicly mocked the cancellation rumors, saying last week: “Howard Stern… I haven’t heard that name in a long time. What happened? He got terminated?”
Howard Stern in the early days
Personal Struggles Behind the Mic
Away from the studio, Howard Stern has reportedly been battling exhaustion and personal stress. His mother, 97-year-old Ray Schiffman Stern, has faced ongoing health issues, something Stern has openly shared with listeners in the past. “It rips my heart out. I don’t want my mom to be uncomfortable,” he said in 2022, hinting at how the strain of caregiving has impacted his ability to focus fully on the show.
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Feud With Alex Cooper Adds to the Drama
Complicating matters further, Howard Stern has reportedly clashed with fellow SiriusXM star Alex Cooper, host of the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy.” With Alex Cooper’s platform now commanding 1.6 million YouTube subscribers and one of the largest female audiences in podcasting, insiders claim Howard Stern has grown increasingly jealous of her meteoric rise. Reports suggest that SiriusXM executives even go so far as to keep the two hosts apart when they’re in the New York offices at the same time.
For now, fans will have to wait until September 8 to see if Stern finally breaks his silence on the swirling rumors of cancellation, contract disputes, and his personal challenges. Whether he plans to end his run at SiriusXM or launch another chapter in his storied career, one thing is clear: Howard Stern’s return has become a drama of its own, with millions of listeners hanging on the next announcement.
