Howard Stern is still not talking — about where and when (and if) he’s going to keep talking. With just three shows left on his current contract at SiriusXM, Stern is expected to make the announcement about his future this week on his show. By Wednesday, at the latest, all should be clear. Stern’s wife Beth told Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live last week that she wants Howard to spend more time at home, playing with his cats. (It was unclear whether this was a euphemism, though Cohen’s show brims with innuendo — Stern and wife Beth have adopted a large number of rescue kitties.)
[Howard Stern Finds Himself In ‘Supergirl’]
Stern’s options in the disrupted media landscape seem limitless, but going out on his own at this point in his career — launching a platform a la Oprah and the OWN Network — seems unlikely. It’s far more plausible he’ll re-up with SiriusXM or follow Jon Stewart to HBO or find another entrenched, established media partner. He told a caller a couple of things last week. One, that he won’t turn the show into a podcast. Two, Stern promised he’ll continue the show in some capacity. The latter’s not a surprise to Stern watchers for two reasons: first he’s coming off a four-year stint on America’s Got Talent that increased his reach and broadened his brand. (Even if it soured some longtime fans.) Second, because Stern is a team player. He employs a lot of people doing his show at Sirius and he takes that obligation seriously. Tune in this week for the end of Stern 2015.
