Howard Stern Says Goodbye to Some Staff as His Show Goes Once-a-Week

What Happened?

Howard Stern, a famous radio host, has let go of about a dozen people who worked on his show at Sirius XM (a satellite radio company). This news comes from a report by Page Six.

• The staff found out over a Zoom video call on Monday, July 14.
• They were told the news during that call.
• After the call, they were sent home right away.

Why Are People Being Let Go?

During the Zoom call, the team learned that Stern, who is 72 years old, plans to slow things down.

• After the Labor Day holiday (a U.S. holiday in early September), he will return from his summer break.
• His show, The Howard Stern Show, currently airs three days a week.
• He will cut back to just one new show per week.
• The rest of the time will be filled with old recordings from his big collection of past shows (called an "archive").
• Stern kept a small group of experienced producers (the people who help make the show).
• The extra staff were let go because, as Page Six says, "he just doesn’t need that much content anymore."

Important Point: The laid-off workers will get severance packages. Think of a severance package like a goodbye payment based on how long they worked at the network.

Stern’s Big New Contract

This change comes after Stern signed a new contract in December last year.

• The contract keeps him at the network for another three years.
• He has been on the radio for almost 50 years.
• We don’t know exactly how much the new deal is worth.
• His last five-year contract in 2020 reportedly paid him a huge $500 million (per Deadline).

The talks for this contract started because last year Stern said he wouldn’t come back after his holiday break. The Daily Mail said he was "frustrated" about the contract talks at that time.

But the December contract made him happy. On his December 16 show, he said:

• "I’m happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all."
• He wanted more free time AND to stay on the radio.
• The new deal gives him more "flexibility."
• He said, "I do like my days off. You know me, I’m never bored. I’m busy every minute."

What Does His Wife Say?

Stern’s wife, Beth (age 53), talked to her friend Andy Cohen on the radio.

• She said his new schedule "is working out really well for him."
• She feels it’s good for him to keep going because he enjoys it and is "very good at it."
• She thinks it keeps him connected and gives him an "outlet" to share his thoughts.

A Separate Legal Issue

The layoffs also happen while there is a lawsuit from April 2026.

• Their former executive assistant, Leslie Kuhn, sued Howard and Beth.
• She says she faced a "hostile work environment," messy household management, and problems with Beth’s cat rescue work.
• The Sterns’ lawyers said the claims are not true.
• They told Entertainment Weekly they won’t fight in public and will use signed privacy agreements (called nondisclosure agreements) to handle it in court.

Summary

Howard Stern is shrinking his radio show to one new episode a week after Labor Day, using old recordings for the rest. About 12 staffers were laid off over Zoom on July 14 and will get severance. This follows his new 3-year contract signed in December, which gives him more free time. His wife Beth says the change is good for him. Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit by a former assistant is ongoing, but the Sterns deny the claims.

FAQ

Q1: How many people lost their jobs at The Howard Stern Show?
Around a dozen (about 12) staff members were laid off.

Q2: Why is the show dropping to one episode per week?
Howard Stern wants more free time and doesn’t need as much new content, so he will use old archive recordings for the other days.

Q3: Will the laid-off workers get any money?
Yes, they will receive severance packages based on how long they worked with the network.

Q4: Is Howard Stern quitting radio completely?
No. He signed a new 3-year contract and will still do one show a week.

Q5: What is the lawsuit against Howard and Beth about?
Their former assistant claims a hostile work environment and issues with household and cat rescue work; the Sterns deny it.