Howard Stern's show will reduce its new episodes from three per week to one, as reported by Page Six. SiriusXM has laid off dozens of staff members in preparation for this new schedule, which is set to begin after Labor Day. Those affected were reportedly informed via Zoom on Monday. Sources indicated that the decision was made because the host requires less content.
This change follows previous speculation regarding the potential cancellation of the show, particularly after reports suggested that Stern's salary demands during contract negotiations could jeopardize his deal. Additionally, there were concerns that Stern's political views might influence SiriusXM's executives' decisions regarding the show's future.
Despite these rumors, Stern signed a three-year contract later that year, although the details of his latest payout remain undisclosed. His previous five-year contract was valued at $500 million. Stern expressed his continued passion for radio during a December announcement, stating that the new deal would allow him more free time.
According to Page Six, the laid-off staff will receive severance packages based on their tenure at the network. In April, Stern faced a lawsuit from a former assistant who alleged a hostile work environment during her employment at his Southampton residence from 2022 to 2026. The legal proceedings are ongoing.