SiriusXM Executives Address Howard Stern Retirement Rumors, Say Talks Ongoing
Company leaders praised Stern’s influence and said the radio icon could remain if a new deal 'makes sense.'
SiriusXM executives pushed back on recent speculation that Howard Stern will retire and leave the satellite radio service, saying Wednesday that the broadcaster remains central to the company and that negotiations are ongoing.
Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s president and chief content officer, and CEO Jennifer Witz spoke about Stern at a Bank of America conference, addressing a month of media chatter about the 71-year-old host’s future. Greenstein said the company values Stern’s contribution and indicated any continuation of the relationship would depend on the terms of a new deal.
Greenstein described Stern as “a lightning rod” who has driven awareness and publicity for SiriusXM and called him "the best interviewer out there, period, bar none." He characterized contract talks as routine for someone of Stern’s stature, saying the company has been “pretty lucky all these years” and that executives would “love them to stay” while acknowledging that any deal “certainly has to make sense.”
Witz echoed the sentiment, noting that Stern has been “core” to SiriusXM’s platform for “over 20 years” and expressing confidence about the outcome of discussions. The remarks came amid persistent reports over the past month that Stern might be contemplating retirement from the long-running radio show that has been a high-profile anchor for the service.
Executives emphasized that negotiating with prominent talent is a standard part of business operations. Greenstein noted that the company has navigated similar situations previously and suggested that while SiriusXM would prefer Stern to remain, any agreement must align with the company’s and the host’s expectations.
Stern, who has been a prominent figure in radio for decades, has long been credited with raising SiriusXM’s profile, and the company pointed to that ongoing value in its public remarks. Neither executive announced a new contract at the conference, and both framed the situation as an active negotiation rather than a settled decision.
As talks continue, SiriusXM’s comments signal an interest in retaining Stern if terms are agreeable, while acknowledging the realities of high-stakes talent negotiations. The company did not provide a timeline for any resolution, and representatives for Stern did not immediately respond to requests for comment.