Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 21, 2025 · Entertainment

Howard Stern's 'Desperate' Bid to Save His Career: Inside the Shock Jock’s Summer Gamble

The Howard Stern Show insiders have revealed new details about the shock jock's broadcasting future as the end of his $500million five-year contract with SiriusXM approaches

THE SHOCK JOCK'S DOWNFALL: Howard Stern's Radio Empire on the Brink of Collapse

In a shocking twist that has left fans and industry insiders alike gasping for air, Howard Stern's 95-strong staff was caught off guard by reports that the 71-year-old shock jock's radio career would be coming to an abrupt end at year's end. But sources close to Stern have revealed that this "humiliation" was actually a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt designed to drum up ratings and salvage his flagging popularity.

According to insiders, Stern himself only discovered he was finished from a Google Alert, whereupon he promptly called his best friend Jimmy Kimmel to share the news. "First I'm hearing of it," he allegedly quipped, setting tongues wagging about the radio icon's supposed demise. However, Stern quickly dispelled any notions that he was truly retiring by recording an emergency show the very next day – albeit one in which he studiously avoided addressing the speculation surrounding his own career.

Stern, 71, has hosted the second incarnation of The Howard Stern Show since 2006, but rumors arose the show was 'doomed' after the star became ' woke ' and listener numbers fell (with Madonna in 2015)

The shocking revelations have left many wondering if this is indeed the beginning of the end for Howard Stern's reign as the "King of All Media." With a mammoth $500 million five-year contract with SiriusXM set to expire at the end of the year, it seems clear that Stern's once-mighty empire has been hemorrhaging listeners – from its heyday in the 1990s when it boasted an astonishing 20 million weekly listeners down to a paltry 125,000 today.

And yet, despite his plummeting popularity, Stern remains defiantly unrepentant. This week, he took to Instagram to tease his loyal followers with the promise of a dramatic return on September 2, proclaiming "Fired? Retiring? Canceled? Bye-Bye Booey? Howard Stern will speak..." in a tantalizing hint at what's to come.

But insiders close to the show have spilled the beans that this entire saga was masterminded by the team behind the Howard Stern Show as a last-ditch effort to get his ratings back on track. "It's a desperate hoax," one insider confided, designed to generate publicity and make Stern relevant again amid his declining popularity and relevance.

Stern himself whipped his listeners into a frenzy just days ago as he vowed to address his future on the show on September 2 - in an Instagram post captioned: 'Fired? Retiring? Canceled? Bye-Bye Booey? Howard Stern will speak'

"It's all just a ploy to try and boost his numbers for his return on September 2," another source revealed, painting a picture of a team frantically trying to get their man back in the spotlight. "They're so desperate that they'll do anything to get people tuning in again."

But what about Stern himself? Has he indeed sold out his loyal audience by taking aim at Trump voters and dismissing them as unworthy listeners? Insiders claim that this is precisely the case, with Stern feeling forced to take drastic measures to win back those who feel betrayed by his perceived anti-conservative stance. "He's alienated a huge chunk of his fanbase," one insider admitted, adding that Stern's plan for redemption involves a dramatic reinvention into something he once was – before the public turned on him.

"It's going to be like a mea culpa," another source revealed, hinting at a dramatic shift in tone and approach. "He wants to apologize to his audience and win them back." And what of his supposed retirement? Insiders claim that Stern has no intention of hanging up his mic just yet – far from it.

Now an insider has sensationally claimed to the Daily Mail that Stern's show being canceled was a 'desperate hoax' from show bosses to drum up publicity and 'try and make Stern relevant again' amid his declining popularity - pictured April 2024

"He's going to announce a new contract with SiriusXM on September 2," one insider revealed, sparking fresh speculation about the direction of Stern's show. "He wants to give his naysayers a rude awakening," another source added, foreshadowing a dramatic turn of events that will leave many in the industry stunned.

But this is not the first time Howard Stern has found himself embroiled in controversy. His unapologetic take on sensitive topics has sparked outrage over the years – from his infamous Columbine shooting remarks to his mocking of Selena's fans in 1995. "It's a wonder he hasn't faced more backlash," one insider mused, alluding to Stern's long history of incendiary comments that have left many feeling deeply uncomfortable.

Despite his numerous missteps, however, Stern remains an enigmatic figure – still capable of commanding attention and stirring up debate in equal measure. Will this latest publicity stunt be enough to salvage his flagging career? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Howard Stern's reign as the "King of All Media" continues to fascinate and infuriate audiences in equal measure.

Stern's shift from having the most fearsome reputation in American entertainment to being what Kanye West described as an 'irrelevant old man' has been dramatic and he has faced backlash after admitting he was 'woke' in a dramatic 2023 interview - pictured with Seinfeld in 2013

A LEGACY OF CONTROVERSY

In a remarkable career spanning decades, Howard Stern has courted controversy at every turn – from his outrageous stunts to his no-holds-barred interviews. Love him or loathe him, there's no denying that the 71-year-old shock jock has left an indelible mark on popular culture.

But what of his numerous missteps over the years? From his brutal early '90s interview with Robin Williams – one that he later called "one of the lowest points" of his career – to his mocking of Selena's fans in 1995, Stern has consistently pushed boundaries and sparked outrage. Even Donald Trump, a longtime friend and frequent guest on his show, has publicly branded him an "irrelevant old man."

In 2023 after hearing claims that he's 'not good anymore' Stern declared: ' By the way, I kind of take that as a compliment, that I'm woke. I'll tell you how I feel about it. To me the opposite of woke, is being asleep'

Yet despite this, Stern remains unrepentant – willing to take risks that have left many feeling uncomfortable and others downright outraged. His latest foray into controversy comes in the form of his anti-conservative stance, which has alienated a significant chunk of his loyal fanbase.

But what does the future hold for Howard Stern? Will this latest publicity stunt be enough to salvage his flagging career, or will he ultimately succumb to the pressures of an increasingly polarized media landscape? One thing's for sure – with Howard Stern at the helm, you can always expect drama, controversy, and a healthy dose of shock value.

As the clock ticks down to September 2 and Stern's eagerly anticipated return, one question hangs in the air: will he emerge as a phoenix from the ashes, or will his career ultimately succumb to the ravages of time? Only the future holds the answer – but one thing is certain: Howard Stern remains an enigmatic figure capable of captivating audiences in equal measure.

Donald Trump appeared on Stern's show 20 times before becoming president, appearing with daughter Ivanka at one time

A RIDE BACK INTO RELEVANCE

Insiders close to the show have revealed that Stern's plan for redemption involves a dramatic reinvention into something he once was – before the public turned on him. With his team desperate to get his ratings back on track, this could be the perfect opportunity for Stern to stage a comeback of epic proportions.

"It's going to be like a mea culpa," one insider admitted, hinting at a change in tone and approach that will leave many stunned. "He wants to apologize to his audience and win them back." And what of his supposed retirement? Insiders claim that Stern has no intention of hanging up his mic just yet – far from it.

Stern has become controversial for some comments he made over the years, including saying some of the girls running from the Columbine High School shooting were 'really good looking girls' - Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold pictured

"He's going to announce a new contract with SiriusXM on September 2," one insider revealed, sparking fresh speculation about the direction of Stern's show. "He wants to give his naysayers a rude awakening," another source added, foreshadowing a dramatic turn of events that will leave many in the industry stunned.

But what does this mean for Stern himself? Will he emerge from this controversy with his reputation intact – or will it ultimately seal his fate as a relic of a bygone era? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: Howard Stern remains an enigmatic figure capable of captivating audiences in equal measure.

TheScholarlyNote.com has contacted representatives for Stern and SiriusXM for comment on this explosive story. Stay tuned for further updates – and get ready to witness the most dramatic turn of events in Howard Stern's illustrious career.

In March 1995, when Selena's fans reeled from her shooting he made fun of them, playing gunshots over her music the day before her funeral and mocking fans with a fake Hispanic accent (Selena pictured 1994)


Sources:

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