Howard Stern Launches New HBO Max Era After Turbulent Summer
Howard Stern has entered a new chapter of his decades-long broadcasting career, launching a weekly HBO Max series just weeks after a summer filled with speculation about his future at SiriusXM. The 72-year-old radio icon’s new show debuted on HBO Max on September 17, 2026. However, the move comes after months of headlines about layoffs, workplace allegations, and questions surrounding his long-running SiriusXM empire.
Why This Howard Stern News Matters
This isn’t a small career update. Howard Stern’s move to HBO Max represents one of the biggest shifts in his broadcasting career since he joined SiriusXM back in 2006.
Here’s why the timing is significant:
- The deal expands “The Howard Stern Show” to a worldwide streaming audience for the first time.
- It follows a period of company layoffs and reported toxic workplace allegations at SiriusXM.
- Stern’s own SiriusXM channel lineup was restructured just weeks before the HBO Max launch.
Additionally, Stern addressed the swirl of negative press directly, joking about the volume of criticism he’s faced this summer while highlighting the positive reception to his new HBO Max venture.
The New Howard Stern Show on HBO Max
How the Deal Works
Howard Stern’s production company partnered with SiriusXM and HBO Max to release weekly filmed episodes of his radio show. The series debuted on HBO Max on Thursday, September 17, with new episodes releasing every subsequent Thursday.
HBO Max’s Reaction
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, praised the partnership, stating that Stern has “always been in a category of his own” and has “changed radio and media at large” through his ability to draw compelling moments from guests. As a result, HBO Max is positioning the deal as a major addition to its lineup.
Changes to Howard Stern’s SiriusXM Schedule
A Reduced Weekly Show
Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show has scaled back from two episodes a week to one. The new SiriusXM season debuted on Monday, September 14, with new live episodes now airing every Monday instead of the previous twice-weekly format.
The End of Howard 101
Alongside the HBO Max launch, SiriusXM confirmed that Howard 101 would be dropped from its channel lineup, effective September 1, 2026. Stern explained he “gave up” the channel because he “didn’t want the responsibility.” Consequently, all remaining Howard Stern programming has consolidated onto the Howard 100 channel.
New Archive Access
To offset the changes, the SiriusXM app expanded to include “Howard Stern Decades,” giving subscribers instant access to content from the 1980s, ’90s, 2000s, and 2010s.
Addressing the Summer’s Negative Headlines
Howard Stern didn’t shy away from responding to months of unflattering coverage. He reportedly pushed back on a claim that appeared in The Sun suggesting his staff had been told not to speak to him at company parties, denying the allegation directly. He also joked about the sheer volume of criticism, remarking that he “can’t tell you how many different people have called me a scumbag” during the speculation surrounding his SiriusXM future.
However, Stern framed his HBO Max launch as a clear rebuttal to the negative narrative, describing the reception to his new show as “so positive” that he “can’t believe it.”
Howard Stern’s Broadcasting Legacy
For context, Howard Stern has hosted his show since the early 1980s, moving through WWDC, WNBC, and WXRK before joining SiriusXM in 2006. At its broadcast peak, his show was syndicated to 60 radio markets and reached an audience of 20 million listeners. He’s long been joined by co-host Robin Quivers, along with longtime team members Fred Norris and Gary Dell’Abate.
Notably, Stern signed a three-year extension with SiriusXM that runs through the end of 2028, which included the reduced, more flexible production schedule now reflected in his current one-show-a-week format.
Common Questions About Howard Stern’s New Deal
When did Howard Stern’s HBO Max show launch?
It debuted on September 17, 2026, with new episodes releasing weekly on Thursdays.
Is Howard Stern leaving SiriusXM?
No, he remains on SiriusXM under his existing contract, now airing one live show per week instead of two.
What happened to Howard 101?
The channel was dropped from SiriusXM’s lineup on September 1, 2026, with its remaining content consolidated onto Howard 100.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t assume Howard Stern has left SiriusXM entirely — his radio show continues alongside the new HBO Max series.
- Don’t confuse Howard 100 and Howard 101; only Howard 101 was discontinued, not the main channel carrying his show.
- Don’t treat unconfirmed tabloid claims, like the staff party allegation, as settled fact — Stern has publicly disputed it.
Conclusion
Howard Stern’s launch onto HBO Max marks a significant new phase in a broadcasting career that has spanned more than four decades, arriving just as he pushed back against a summer of turbulent headlines. With his SiriusXM show continuing on a reduced schedule and his content now reaching a global streaming audience for the first time, Stern appears determined to prove his relevance remains as strong as ever. Fans can catch new HBO Max episodes every Thursday alongside his weekly SiriusXM broadcast.
