Howard Stern’s longtime radio empire is reportedly entering a major new chapter. The legendary broadcaster has allegedly laid off about a dozen staffers as his SiriusXM show prepares to scale back to just one new episode each week.
The reported changes come months after Stern signed a new contract that promised him greater flexibility. While the host has repeatedly said he still enjoys broadcasting, his schedule appears set to become significantly lighter when he returns from his summer break.
Howard Stern reportedly laid off about a dozen staffers ahead of a major programming change
According to Page Six, staff members learned the news during a Zoom meeting on Monday. Managers informed employees during the call that The Howard Stern Show would shift from multiple weekly episodes to a single new show after Labor Day.
The outlet stated that Stern retained a core group of veteran producers. However, one source explained the reason behind the cuts was simple: “He just doesn’t need that much content anymore.” The remaining airtime is expected to be filled with material from Stern’s extensive archive.
Page Six also stated that affected employees were sent home immediately after the meeting. They would receive severance packages based on their years of service.
The programming shake-up follows Stern’s December contract renewal with SiriusXM. While announcing the new agreement on air, he said, “I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all.” He added that the deal would provide him with “more flexibility.”
He also acknowledged that a lighter workload appealed to him. Stern told listeners, “More free time and continuing to be on the radio,” before adding, “I do like my days off. You know me, I’m never bored. I’m busy every minute.”
Stern’s wife, Beth Stern, also voiced her support for the new arrangement during an appearance on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show. She said, “I think his new schedule is working out really well for him,” adding that hosting still gave him “an outlet” because he continued to enjoy the work and remained “very good at it.”
Stern first entered radio in 1977 before making the landmark move to SiriusXM in 2006. He spent decades redefining talk radio alongside longtime co-host Robin Quivers. If the Page Six report is accurate, the latest schedule change will mark one of the biggest shifts of his SiriusXM era.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK HOWARD STERN’S SHOW CAN STILL SUCCEED WITH JUST ONE NEW EPISODE EACH WEEK?
