Howard Stern has struck a deal with HBO Max to stream his SiriusXM show, while his Howard 101 channel is being dropped, with 12 staffers laid off earlier this summer. The changes include a new weekly schedule and a shift to Andy Cohen’s Radio Andy on Channel 101.
Howard Stern’s long-running SiriusXM show is undergoing a major transformation, with the radio icon securing a deal with HBO Max to stream his content while his Howard 101 channel is being phased out. The changes, set to take effect September 1, mark a pivotal shift in the 72-year-old entertainer’s career, as he adjusts to a scaled-back schedule and a restructured SiriusXM lineup.
HBO Max Deal and Weekly Schedule Shift
Stern’s new agreement with HBO Max involves condensing his three-hour live show into a 90-minute or hour-long format for the streaming service, according to a source cited by Pagesix. The arrangement requires Stern to host his live show strictly on Mondays, a departure from his traditional Tuesday-after-Labor-Day start. This is a very strict schedule for him to be able to use that show’s video for HBO Max,
the source said. The move aligns with Stern’s recent three-year contract with SiriusXM, which he described as offering “flexibility” and “more free time” in December 2025.
The shift to a Monday-only live show means Stern will not begin his season on the usual Tuesday after Labor Day. Instead, the condensed content will air later in the week on HBO Max. Having to play this waiting game where he feels like the bosses are holding his future in their hands and capriciously deciding his fate is a nightmare,
a source told Yahoo, reflecting the tension between Stern and SiriusXM over scheduling and control.
Howard 101’s Demise and Andy Cohen’s Rise
The most visible change in the SiriusXM lineup is the elimination of Howard 101, which has aired Stern’s older content since 2006. The channel will be replaced by Andy Cohen’s Radio Andy, which is moving from Channel 102 to 101, as reported by The Independent. The decision, part of a broader reorganization, also sees Howard 100 remain on Channel 100, while other channels like Comedy Central Radio and Netflix is a Joke Radio are being reallocated.
Stern’s exit from Channel 101 follows a summer of layoffs, with approximately 12 staffers let go earlier this summer, according to Pagesix. A source close to the situation described the move as a “notable change” in the channel lineup, with Andy Cohen’s show stepping in as a spiritual successor
should Stern retire at the end of his current contract. Stern has begrudgingly accepted that it’s time to scale things back, but now there are all these rumors that [the Howard 101 channel] may end up flat out cancelled, and that’s doing nothing for his mood,
the source added.
Layoffs, Legal Challenges, and Health Concerns
The channel realignment coincides with a wave of staff reductions at Stern’s SiriusXM show. The cuts, described as preparation for these changes,
have drawn criticism from former employees, with one source calling it “a nightmare” for those affected.
Stern also faced legal scrutiny this year when an ex-assistant sued him for creating a hostile work environment. The case was dismissed in its entirety
by a New York State Supreme Court judge in July. Despite the legal hurdles, Stern has continued to appear publicly, though his recent health has raised questions. Showbiz411 noted that Stern appeared very stooped over
at a SiriusXM event in the Hamptons, though no official statement on his health has been released.
What Comes Next for Howard Stern?
Stern’s future remains uncertain, though he has hinted at a reduced role in radio. While he will continue hosting on Howard 100, the channel will air only one live show per week, with the rest of the content being archival. A source told Yahoo that Stern plans to end The Howard Stern Show entirely once the contract expires in 2028.
The changes reflect a broader industry trend toward streaming and content consolidation, as traditional radio networks adapt to digital competition. For Stern, the deal with HBO Max represents a bid to extend his influence beyond satellite radio, while the loss of Howard 101 signals the end of an era for his long-standing audience. I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all,
Stern said in December 2025, but the recent upheaval suggests the “all” may now be more limited than he anticipated.
