Is Howard Stern's Reign Over? Rival Rips 'Relevance' Amid SiriusXM Talks

Howard Stern's Reign is Coming to an End: Insiders Claim He'll Be Dropped by SiriusXM

The king is dead, long live the new king...or so it seems. After years of dominating the airwaves with his outrageous antics and shocking interviews, Howard Stern's reign may be finally coming to an end. Sources close to the situation have revealed that the self-proclaimed "King of All Media" may be parting ways with SiriusXM, a network he's been with since 2004.

But what's behind this sudden change? Insiders claim that Stern's popularity has taken a major hit in recent years, with some even accusing him of going "woke" and losing his edge. His ratings have plummeted from an astonishing 20 million listeners per day at the height of his fame to a mere 125,000 listeners per day, according to The New York Post.

But it's not just Stern's dwindling popularity that's causing concern - it's also the fact that he's been broadcasting from the comfort of his own home over the past five years, citing fears over COVID-19. This move has sparked rumors that Stern is struggling to adapt to the changing times and may be losing touch with his audience.

One person who doesn't seem to be shedding any tears for Stern is Anthony Cumia, a longtime radio rival and former shock jock duo partner in Opie & Anthony. On his Compound Media podcast, Cumia let loose on Stern, calling him out for having "no friends" and claiming that he's no longer relevant in the industry.

"I don't think he could live without having a mic in front of him," Cumia said in a scathing rant. "He needs to feel like he's relevant, even if he's not." He went on to claim that Stern's attempts to stay relevant have been transparent and shallow, pointing out that his appearances at high-profile events are likely just publicity stunts.

"He talks about hanging out with Jimmy Kimmel or Jennifer Aniston being there," Cumia said. "But those are superficial relationships - he doesn't really have any real friends."

Cumia's comments come as Stern is reportedly in negotiations with SiriusXM over a potential new contract. With his five-year, $500 million deal set to expire soon, it's unclear what the future holds for the embattled radio legend.

Sources close to the situation claim that SiriusXM may offer Stern a "low" deal to stay on board, despite his previous annual salary of around $100 million. This has sparked speculation that Stern is desperate to cling to his fame and fortune - especially after being eclipsed by fellow comedian Joe Rogan's massive Spotify deal worth over $200 million per year.

"I think he really resents the fact that Joe Rogan got a huge deal from Spotify," Cumia said. "He wasn't the big highest-paid guy anymore, and I think that really gets under his skin."

But Stern's struggles aren't just limited to his on-air presence - his off-air antics have also raised eyebrows in recent years. His shift from being a provocative shock jock to a woke crusader has alienated some of his longtime fans, who see him as trying too hard to stay relevant.

"Irrelevant old man" was how Kanye West infamously described Stern in 2018 - and it's hard not to agree with the statement. After all, what happened to the Howard Stern we once knew? The one who pushed boundaries, challenged social norms, and made headlines for his outrageous stunts?

The answer lies in Stern's own words: "I'm proud to be woke," he said recently on air. But is this just a desperate attempt to cling to his fading fame? Or is it a genuine attempt to adapt to the changing times?

One thing's for sure - with The 20th season of The Howard Stern Show set to premiere on SiriusXM on September 2, fans are eager to see what's next for the embattled radio legend. Will he rise from the ashes and reclaim his throne? Or will this be the end of an era?

Only time will tell, but one thing's certain: with Anthony Cumia calling him out like never before, Stern's got some serious competition in the ring.