Andy Cohen‘s Radio Andy officially took over SiriusXM’s Channel 101. The move came as Howard Stern reduced his schedule. Stern will now host one weekly show instead of two. However, he retained control of his flagship Howard 100 channel.
Andy Cohen’s Radio Andy moves into Howard 101 as Stern cuts back to one weekly show.
The channel shake-up began on September 1. Cohen’s Radio Andy empire moved into Channel 101. The channel previously featured archival programming from Stern’s shows.
The change followed a prank involving Stern and Cohen last year. Cohen temporarily took over the airwaves and suggested Stern had been fired. Listeners were led to believe Cohen was taking over Howard 100.
This time, however, the transition was real. Cohen questioned whether Stern was playing another joke. “Is this a prank? Am I being pranked?” Cohen asked in a new SiriusXM video.
Stern quickly confirmed that the move was genuine. “No, you are not being pranked,” Stern replied. He added that Cohen had “been gracious enough to take over 101.” The radio veteran retained his main Howard 100 channel. Cohen nonetheless jokingly asked if Stern would consider swapping channels.
“Any chance I could get 100, and you take 101?” Cohen asked. Stern immediately shut down that possibility. “No, I’m not giving up 100,” Stern responded.
Stern will also introduce a new Howard 100 lineup on September 14. The programming will include an expanded version of the Wrap Up Show. Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein will host the new Wrap Up Wednesday.
The shake-up came as Stern transitioned to one weekly SiriusXM show. He also struck a deal with HBO Max. His live SiriusXM program will reportedly receive streaming adaptations.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Maniscalco’s Comedy Radio took over Cohen’s former Channel 102. Netflix is a Joke Radio also moved to Channel 105. SiriusXM reportedly declined to comment on speculation surrounding Stern’s future. The company also did not comment on reported layoffs. For now, Cohen may have won Channel 101, but Stern clearly kept Howard 100.
