Shock Jock's Reign Ends: Howard Stern's Audience Plummets as Podcasts Soar

As of September 2025, Howard Stern, once known as the "King of All Media," is facing a declining audience and an uncertain future. The radio host, who became famous for his controversial content, has seen his reach diminish in the face of increased competition from podcasts and changes in people's listening habits.

Stern's $500 million contract with Sirius XM satellite radio is set to expire at the end of 2025, and there are doubts about whether the two parties will sign a new deal. The show had announced that Stern would address his future with the company on September 2, 2025, but then pushed the announcement back to September 8, 2025, adding to the speculation.

The rise of podcasts has been a significant factor in Stern's declining influence. Podcasts have provided listeners with more freedom to consume the type of uncensored, controversial content that Stern once dominated. Industry analysts note that Stern's show is no longer as singular as it was decades ago, when he commanded a massive audience of 20 million listeners.

Stern's move to Sirius XM in 2006 was a pivotal moment in the growth of the satellite radio company, as his presence helped drive subscriber growth from 600,000 to 6 million by the end of that year. However, Sirius XM has recently lost customers, with 445,000 subscribers lost in 2023 and 296,000 lost the previous year.

While Stern has adjusted his approach, becoming known for more in-depth, thoughtful interviews with celebrities, the competition from popular podcast hosts like Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper has eroded his once-dominant position in the media landscape. Stern's critics have also attributed his declining audience to him becoming "softer and more liberal" in his content.