Howard Stern Pranks SiriusXM Listeners Amid Contract Talks

Howard Stern pulled off a highly publicized prank on his SiriusXM show to dispel rumors about his departure after nearly 20 years with the satellite radio service. During the September 8 broadcast, Andy Cohen appeared flustered, announcing he was taking over Stern's slot, which led to widespread media reports prematurely declaring Stern's exit. However, Stern soon returned to the airwaves, confirming he was very much continuing his show, though he has yet to confirm a new contract beyond his current deal expiring at the end of the year. This stunt capitalized on weeks of speculation and tabloid headlines about the future of 'The Stern Show,' with Stern himself fueling anticipation through social media. The prank demonstrated Stern's ability to control media narratives and engage his audience, even spoofing major news outlets. Despite losing some subscribers, SiriusXM continues to report millions of paid listeners, maintaining Stern as a key figure on the platform.