Howard Stern Re-Ups His Deal With SiriusXM — Snookers Multiple Media Outlets Into Thinking He Quit in Wild Prank

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Did Howard Stern really split from SiriusXM after 20 years? That was the question running wild on Monday morning — as Stern failed to return from his summer hiatus as scheduled. But the rampant speculation that his show had come to end turned out to be an elaborate prank — to the relief of Stern’s legion of fans.

At 7 a.m. Monday, the time at which Stern was due to come back, Bravo and SiriusXM host Andy Cohen was seated in the chair normally occupied by Stern. And in a somber monologue, Cohen announced that Stern and the satellite radio network have gone their separate ways — amid reports of contract drama.

“Howard and the executive team at SiriusXM felt that it was best to kind of part ways now,” Cohen said.

Multiple news outlets ran with the story that Stern and SiriusXM had called it quits. Variety published a story titled, “Howard Stern’s Show Canceled at SiriusXM, Andy Cohen Takes Over Stern’s Channel”

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The AP also fell for the ruse.

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But many longtime show watchers, such as Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated, warned that Stern was pulling a fast one on his audience.

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And sure enough, at roughly 7:15 a.m., Stern took the mic.

“That was all masterminded by me,” Stern boasted — after mentioning the Variety story.

Stern noted that even his faithful fans had also fallen for the bit.

“People are calling in,” Stern said. “They are furious!”

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