After nearly two decades on SiriusXM, The Howard Stern Show appears to be nearing its conclusion, as the iconic host's $500 million contract is set to expire by year's end.
This development comes amid a significant drop in listenership, which has left staff members uncertain about the future.
As reported by The Post Millennial, insiders from the show have expressed skepticism about the renewal of Stern's contract, a sentiment that has persisted for the past year. The New York Post revealed that employees have been "coasting" at work, with some even seeking new employment opportunities.
A longtime staffer candidly shared, "Most of us have been coasting at work the last year," adding, "we know hes retiring, whether by choice or because hes forced out." The show's audience has dwindled from a robust 20 million daily listeners to a mere 125,000.
The decline in audience numbers has been attributed, in part, to Stern's evolving political stance. Once a supporter of Republican figures like President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, and George Pataki, Stern has since shifted his allegiance, endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2016 and more recently backing President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
This shift has not gone unnoticed by his team. "I dont know if it's wokeness that alienated some of his audience, or if he just got tamer with age, but whatever it is, it's apparent no one wants to hear it anymore," remarked another staff member.
Some employees have speculated that Stern's political realignment was an attempt to ingratiate himself with Hollywood's elite. "I think hes content to be out in there in the Hamptons with his celebrity friends," one worker suggested, noting that Stern seems to prioritize the approval of famous acquaintances over his broadcasting legacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a role in reshaping the show's dynamics. Stern has been broadcasting from his Southampton basement, earning him the moniker of a "hermit" among staff. "Everyone knows he hasnt been the same since COVID. He does the show from his [Southampton] basement. And its been sad to see how irrelevant hes become," lamented the second employee.
As the end of the year approaches, the fate of The Howard Stern Show hangs in the balance, leaving fans and staff alike to ponder its legacy and future.
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