the Howard Stern Show

{{Infobox radio show

| show_name = The Howard Stern Show

| image = The Howard Stern Show.png

| caption =

| format = {{Flatlist|

}}

| runtime = 3 hours (approx.), Monday–Wednesday

| country = United States

| language = English

| home_station = {{Plainlist|

WWDC (1981–1982)
WNBC (1982–1985)
WXRK (1985–2005)
Howard 100 and 101 (2006–present)

}}

| presenter = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = See List of The Howard Stern Show staff

| creator = Howard Stern

| exec_producer = {{Plainlist|

Gary Dell'Abate

}}

| rec_location =

| rem_location =

| first_aired = 1970s – present

| television = See Howard Stern television shows

| last_aired =

| opentheme = "The Great American Nightmare" by Rob Zombie and Stern

| endtheme = "Tortured Man" by Stern and the Dust Brothers

| website = {{URL|howardstern.com}}
{{URL|siriusxm.com/talk/howard-stern}}

}}

The Howard Stern Show is an American radio show hosted by Howard Stern that gained wide recognition when it was nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from WXRK in New York City, between 1986 and 2005. The show has aired on Howard 100 and Howard 101, Stern's two uncensored channels on the subscription-based satellite radio service SiriusXM, since 2006. Other prominent staff members include co-host and news anchor Robin Quivers, writer Fred Norris and executive producer Gary Dell'Abate, along with former members Jackie Martling, Billy West, John Melendez, and Artie Lange.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Zoe G. |date=2024-05-14 |title=Howard Stern Says He Accepted Jerry Seinfeld's Apology Over Podcast Comments: "I Don't Care" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/howard-stern-accepted-jerry-seinfeld-apology-1235899191/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

Stern began his radio career in the mid-1970s and developed his show through morning positions at WRNW in Briarcliff Manor, New York, WCCC-FM in Hartford, Connecticut, and WWWW in Detroit. In 1981, he began at WWDC-FM in Washington, D.C., where he was first paired with Quivers and became a ratings success. That was followed by three years at WNBC in New York City. After his abrupt firing, Stern moved to WXRK where he remained for 20 years until December 2005. During this time, The Howard Stern Show was syndicated to 60 radio markets and gained an audience of 20 million listeners at its peak. In the New York area, it was the highest-rated morning radio program from 1994 to 2001. The show is also the most fined, after a total of $2.5 million in fines were issued by the Federal Communications Commission for indecent material. In 2004, Stern signed the first of several five-year contracts with Sirius; the first was reportedly worth $500 million.

In addition to radio broadcast, The Howard Stern Show has been filmed since 1994 and broadcast on various networks, including the E! and CBS television channels. It moved to HowardTV, Stern's own on-demand digital cable channel from 2005 to 2013. In 2018, Sirius XM launched a mobile app for subscribers to access video clips of the show.

History

{{see also|Howard Stern|Howard Stern television shows|Howard Stern videography and discography}}

=1975–1981: Early development=

File:BU College of Communication.jpg

Stern landed his first professional radio job while at Boston University, performing on-air skits, news casting and production duties at 1550 WNTN in Newton, Massachusetts, from August to December 1975.Stern, p. 123. He also hosted a show with three fellow students on WTBU, campus radio station, named The King Schmaltz Bagel Hour which was cancelled during its first broadcast for a sketch called "Godzilla Goes to Harlem".Stern, pp. 116–117. After his graduation, Stern landed some cover shifts in December 1976 at WRNW, a progressive rock station in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where he was subsequently hired full-time working middays. He produced more creative commercials by calling the owners of businesses on the air, which he wrote "was mind-blowing to everyone there."Stern, pp. 119–121.

In 1979, Stern responded to an advertisement for a "wild, fun morning guy" at WCCC-FM, an album oriented rock (AOR) station in Hartford, Connecticut.Stern, p. 125 He produced a more outrageous audition tape, playing Robert Klein and Cheech and Chong records mixed with flatulence routines and one-liners.Colford, p. 45. He was hired for the job, his first in a large radio market. As the station's public affairs director, Stern also hosted a half-hour interview show on Sunday mornings, which he enjoyed as it contained no music. He would ask unusual questions to his guests, such as their dating habits. Stern held a two-day boycott of Shell Oil Company during the summer of the 1979 energy crisis, which put Stern and the station into the national news. Stern also began his "Dial-a-Date" routines at WCCC, and met Fred Norris, the station's overnight disc jockey who provided Stern's show with various comedic impressions of celebrities.Stern, p. 127 Norris would join the show as Stern's writer and producer in 1981.Colford, p. 74.

Stern left WCCC for being denied a raise in salary.Stern, pp. 129–130. He began a new morning shift at WWWW, a struggling rock outlet in Detroit, Michigan, on April 21, 1980. He learned to become more open on the air and "decided to cut down the barriers ... strip down all the ego ... and be totally honest ... I still sounded like an FM announcer". Stern held a bra-burning event and wrestled women outside the studios, and invited listeners to confess the most outrageous places where they had sex, and record their calls for the air.Colford, p. 57.Colford, p. 60. A stunt in which listeners paid $1.06 (the station's FM frequency) to hit a Japanese car with a sledgehammer earned Stern national mention. For his performance, Stern won a Billboard award for "Best Album-Oriented Rock Disc Jockey" and was featured in the Drake-Chenault "Top Five Talent Search" contest in the AOR category.Stern, p. 134 Published in January 1981, the fall Arbitron ratings showed that Stern trailed his three rock competitors with a 1.6% market share of the listening audience during an average quarter-hour.Lucaire, p. 238. It was the final straw for management, which turned WWWW into a more successful country music format on January 18. Stern made a brief, half-hearted attempt to be a country radio DJ but realized it wasn't to his liking. Stern left the station soon after and declined offers to work at CHUM in Toronto, WXRT in Chicago and WPLJ in New York City.

=1981–1985: Washington and WNBC=

On March 2, 1981, Stern began his third morning job, this time at WWDC-FM, a rock station in Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=FlexContent&cid=1198688730431 |title=The History of Howard Stern Act I Interactive Guide |publisher = Sirius.com}} He was determined to become a success, and noticed the importance of news segments for satire. He requested for a news person to riff with him in the studio and not just deliver news briefs, returning to the newsroom when they were finished.Stern, p. 135. Management planned to pair Stern with Star Archambeault of Portland, Oregon, but during a dispute about who had the bigger breasts and a no holds barred mud fight, Robin Quivers, a news anchor and consumer reporter from WFBR in Baltimore was eventually chosen.Lucaire, p. 174 She agreed to meet Stern after hearing him interview a sex worker on the air.{{cite magazine |url=http://zfmq.fimc.net/article.asp?id=153905 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723125739/http://zfmq.fimc.net/article.asp?id=153905 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-23 |title=Up Close with Robin Quivers |magazine=FMQB |date=1993-02-26 }} Quivers at first "thought I would come in and do the news ... but it wasn't that way ... he wanted someone to play off of ... he wanted a real live person there with him".Colford, p. 68 The show began to break format, and Stern held a lesbian edition of "Dial-a-Date" in May 1981.{{Cite episode|title=Mr. Stern Goes to Washington|series=The History of Howard Stern|series-link=The History of Howard Stern|network=Sirius XM Radio|station=Howard 100 and Howard 101|airdate=2007-12-19}} He formed the Think Tank, a cohesive trio of male listeners who conversed with Stern and played along with quizzes and routines, which helped the show sound more natural.Colford, p. 71 By January 1982, Stern had the second highest-rated morning program in the city.Colford, p. 78. On January 14, one day after the crash of Air Florida Flight 90, Stern made listeners believe he asked Air Florida the price of a one-way ticket to the 14th Street Bridge, the location of the disaster. "Is that going to be a permanent stop?" asked Stern.Stern, p. 150 On June 29, 1982, Stern's contract at WWDC was terminated. Later, he wrote that the Air Florida segment was not the reason for his departure, nor did anyone complain about it. He had signed a contract with WNBC in March,Colford, p. 81. and began to berate management and other DJs on the air.Colford, p. 85. Quivers, who left the show early on June 17, worked at WCBM in Baltimore until rejoining with Stern on October 18, 1982.Colford, p. 86Lucaire, p. 232 Stern presented a farewell show two weeks later on competing station WAVA-FM. He had more than tripled the station's ratings during his stay.Colford, pp. 87–89.

File:Jackejoke.jpg

Stern began his WNBC program in September 1982, working from 4–8 pm.Colford, p. 93 Concerned about its corporate image and his risque personality, management told Stern to avoid discussions of a sexual and religious nature.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3-QCAAAAMBAJ&q=%22virgin+mary+kong%22&pg=PA43 |title = Bad Mouth. Howard Stern vs The FCC |publisher = New York Magazine |date = 1992-11-23 }} Within his first month at the station, Stern was suspended for several days for a controversial segment known as "Virgin Mary Kong". The skit featured a new video game by God in which a group of men chase the Virgin Mary around a singles bar in Jerusalem. In February 1983, comedian Jackie Martling was hired to make weekly appearances as a comedy writer. With his on-the-fly style, he provided jokes for such show bits like "Stump the Jokeman" and "The Match Game".Colford, p. 118 Martling assumed his role full-time in August 1986 when he replaced Al Rosenberg, a comedian and writer at WNBC who could no longer commute from Washington, D.C. Also hired was Gary Dell'Abate of the station's traffic department, who started as the show's assistant in September 1984 and went on to become executive producer. Stern continued to break out of the station's strict format. He had a naked woman on the show for the first time and attempted to make another reach orgasm through her radio speaker, both of which were reenacted in his film Private Parts (1997).

The Arbitron ratings released in 1984 showed an increase in listeners to Stern's show. Having moved shifts to 3–7 pm, he attracted audience shares of 3.8%, 4.2%, and 4.6% that year.Colford, p. 110Colford, p. 114 The show was popular among males aged between 18 and 34, a highly-marketable demographic for advertisers. Stern acquired a 5.7% share in 1985, the highest rating at the station in four years,Colford, p. 128 pushing the station's ranking in afternoons from eleventh to first place in three years. Among the success, tension between management and Stern grew further. On September 30, 1985, the show was cancelled due to what management termed as "conceptual differences" between themselves and Stern regarding his show. "Over the course of time, we made a very conscious effort to make Stern aware that certain elements of the program should be changed", said program director John Hayes, whom Stern had nicknamed "The Incubus". "I don't think it's appropriate to say what those specifics were."Luerssen, p. 12 In 1992, Stern believed that Thornton Bradshaw, at the time chairman of RCA which then owned WNBC, was driving in his limousine having heard his "Bestiality Dial-a-Date" segment and ordered his firing. Later, NBC chairman Grant Tinker admitted that it was his decision, after corporate communications director Bob Rukeyser alerted him about the risqué material on Stern's show.{{sfn|Lucaire|1997|p=217}}{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/1997/03/private-parts.html|title=Private Parts|first=Jared|last=Hohlt|date=March 12, 1997|work=Slate|access-date=November 13, 2022}}

=1985–1994: WXRK and start of syndication=

Stern returned to the New York airwaves on rock station WXRK, where he began his 20-year residency at the station in afternoons from 2–6 pm on November 18, 1985.{{cite web |url=http://www.sirius.com/wo/i/howard/history_II/part_a/hoh-120908_a.swf |title=The History of Howard Stern Act II Interactive Guide |publisher=Sirius.com}}{{dead link|date=July 2011}} Following his move to mornings from 6 am on February 18, 1986,{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4486806.html |title=A Chronology Of The Howard Stern Years |access-date=2009-05-31 |last=Jessica |first=Reed |author2=Paul Heine |date=2005-11-25 |publisher=Radio Monitor}} Stern entered national syndication on August 18, 1986, when WYSP in Philadelphia first simulcast the program. In the 18-plus male demographic, WYSP rose from eleventh to second place in three months.Colford, p. 171 Stern began a rivalry with the number one host John DeBella of WMMR, and was determined to beat him in the ratings. He achieved his goal in April 1990, and held a celebratory "funeral" for DeBella on May 10 in Rittenhouse Square which aired live.{{cite news |last=Shister |first=Gail |title=Ratings Jump With Howard Stern |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=1987-01-09 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB95EC14F5516FC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=2006-09-26}}

By early 1987, Stern had almost completely stopped playing music during the show and was reaching almost 800,000 listeners each week in the New York area.Colford, pp. 176–177 Between September 1986 and February 1987, Stern hosted a three-hour Saturday morning program with a live audience which was syndicated to 45 markets across the country by DIR Broadcasting. The show added two new staff in 1988—impressionist Billy West and intern "Stuttering John" Melendez, who would achieve notoriety by asking celebrities awkward questions on the red carpet and press conferences. That year, Stern returned to the Washington, D.C., market after a six-year absence when he was syndicated on WJFK, his third affiliate.Colford, p. 189

In July 1991, the show began to air on KLSX in Los Angeles. Listeners jammed the station's switchboard during the first simulcast with mostly negative calls about the change.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-26-ca-274-story.html |title='Shock Jock' Stern Makes L.A. Debut on KLSX-FM Radio |date=1991-07-26 |last=Puig |first=Claudia |author-link=Claudia Puig |access-date=2009-06-26 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Stern rivaled with the KLOS morning team of Mark and Brian, who for three years had the area's top-rated program. In January 1992, Stern reached the number one spot in New York by overtaking the news station WINS, who had enjoyed a ten-year reign. He was reaching over one million listeners a week there,Colford, p. 203. and hosted a live victory parade in Times Square to celebrate.Colford, p. 205. In October 1992, Stern became the first person to have the number one show in New York and Los Angeles simultaneously,{{cite news |title=Howard Stern Talks His Way to No. 1 Status Radio |date=October 7, 1992 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61705408.html?dids=61705408:61705408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+07%2C+1992&author=CLAUDIA+PUIG&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Howard+Stern+Talks+His+Way+to+No.+1+Status+Radio%3A+Arbitron+report+shows+he+grabbed+6.4%25+share+of+L.A.+market+while+still+holding+onto+a+record+9.5%25+share+in+New+York.&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508131446/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61705408.html?dids=61705408:61705408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+07%2C+1992&author=CLAUDIA+PUIG&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Howard+Stern+Talks+His+Way+to+No.+1+Status+Radio%3A+Arbitron+report+shows+he+grabbed+6.4%25+share+of+L.A.+market+while+still+holding+onto+a+record+9.5%25+share+in+New+York.&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 8, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Claudia |last=Puig |access-date=2010-09-30}} (fee required) as he acquired a 9.5% market share in New York and 6.4% in Los Angeles.{{cite news |title=Stern lifts KLSX to win in Arbitron |date= October 7, 1992 |url=https://variety.com/1992/more/news/stern-lifts-klsx-to-win-in-arbitron-101426/ |work=Variety Magazine |access-date=2009-06-28 |first=Jim |last=Benson}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61705408.html?dids=61705408:61705408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+07%2C+1992&author=CLAUDIA+PUIG&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Howard+Stern+Talks+His+Way+to+No.+1+Status+Radio%3A+Arbitron+report+shows+he+grabbed+6.4%25+share+of+L.A.+market+while+still+holding+onto+a+record+9.5%25+share+in+New+York.&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906225859/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61705408.html?dids=61705408:61705408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+07%2C+1992&author=CLAUDIA+PUIG&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Howard+Stern+Talks+His+Way+to+No.+1+Status+Radio%3A+Arbitron+report+shows+he+grabbed+6.4%25+share+of+L.A.+market+while+still+holding+onto+a+record+9.5%25+share+in+New+York.&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2010 |title= Howard Stern Talks His Way to No. 1 Status Radio |date=1992-10-02 |last=Puig |first=Claudia |author-link=Claudia Puig |access-date=2009-06-26 |work=Los Angeles Times}} His victory funeral for Mark and Brian was held in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Palace Theatre in November 1992.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF617CE80F24B9A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= King Howard Lives|date=1992-11-25 |last=Schuster|first=Fred |access-date=2009-12-27 |work=Los Angeles Daily News}}{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LB&p_theme=lb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAE8E90631E65EE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Howard Stern Appearance Draws 20,000 |date=1992-11-25 |access-date=2009-06-26|work=Long Beach Press-Telegram}} By this time, advertisers in New York were charged as much as $3,000 per minute, and $1,500 in Los Angeles, for a one-minute commercial on the show. In January 1993, Stern overtook Philadelphia news station KYW-AM in the morning ratings, which ended the station's 14-year run at number one.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/176663673/|title=The Howard Stern ratings juggernaut rolls over once-mighty KYW|first=Joe|last=Logan|date=8 January 1993|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|page=44|access-date=11 May 2018|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}} Following his 1992 debut on WNCX in Cleveland, Stern took the station from thirteenth in mornings to first place in under two years.{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=1994-04-22|title=Shock Jock Stern Grabs No. 1 Morning Spot|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}} On June 10, 1994, during the city's funeral broadcast William Alford, an engineer of competing station WMMS, cut a wire used for the show's satellite feed which stopped the broadcast temporarily.{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=1994-10-06|title=Stability at WMMS Hangs by a Wire|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=12E - Arts & Living}} Alford was later sentenced to ten days in jail and a $1,000 fine.{{cite news|last=Ewinger|first=James|date=1995-06-29|title=Stern Silencer Gets Jail|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}}

In June 1994, robotic cameras were installed in the WXRK studio to film the radio show for a condensed half-hour program on E!.{{cite news |title=Howard Stern to Star, Condensed, on TV |date=June 1, 1994 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/01/arts/howard-stern-to-star-condensed-on-tv.html |work=The New York Times |access-date= July 29, 2010}} Howard Stern ran for 11 years until the last original episode aired on July 8, 2005.{{cite news |title=Stern cancels E! ticket |first=Denise |last=Martin |date=June 21, 2005 |url=https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/stern-cancels-e-ticket-2-1117924855/ |work=Variety |access-date= July 29, 2010}} In conjunction with his move to satellite radio, Stern launched Howard Stern on Demand, a subscription-based video-on-demand service, on November 18, 2005.{{cite news|title='On Demand' Will Bare More Of Stern Footage |first=Richard |last=Huff |date=November 17, 2005 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2005/11/17/2005-11-17__on_demand__will_bare_more_o.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110815072648/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2005/11/17/2005-11-17__on_demand__will_bare_more_o.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |work=Daily News |access-date=July 29, 2010}} The service was relaunched as Howard TV on March 16, 2006.{{cite magazine |title=Hangin' With Howard |first=Josh |last=Wolk |date=March 31, 2005 |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/03/31/hanging-howard-his-studio/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 29, 2010}}

On December 7, 1994, Stern made national news when he prevented a man from committing suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge.{{cite news |title=Shock jock Howard Stern stops caller's suicide leap |date= 1994-12-08 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/2201334.xml?dids=2201334:2201334&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+08%2C+1994&author=Goldman%2C+John+J&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Shock+jock+Howard+Stern+stops+caller%27s+suicide+leap&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906225834/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/2201334.xml?dids=2201334:2201334&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+08%2C+1994&author=Goldman%2C+John+J&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Shock+jock+Howard+Stern+stops+caller%27s+suicide+leap&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2009-06-28}} The man, Emilio Bonilla, had called into the radio show from the bridge. He was kept on the line for five minutes until Port Authority Police, whose tour commander was listening to the show, took Bonilla into custody.{{cite news |title= Now a Caller From the G. W. Bridge: Stern to the Rescue |date= 1994-12-08 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/08/nyregion/now-a-caller-from-the-g-w-bridge-stern-to-the-rescue.html?sec=health |work=The New York Times |access-date=2009-06-28 |first=Bruce |last=Weber}} Bonilla, who was charged with cocaine possession and reckless endangerment, was taken to the hospital. Senator Al D'Amato and Ed Koch, former-Mayor of New York City, called in to congratulate Stern.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8YRAAAAIBAJ&pg=1673%2C3676391 |title=Caller saved from jumping as Stern calms him on radio |date=1994-12-07 |access-date=2009-08-09 |newspaper=The Deseret News }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=1995–1999: Selena, Canada, and Columbine controversies=

On April 3, 1995, three days after the shooting of singer Selena which happened to be the same day she would be laid to rest in Corpus Christi, Texas a rift in the Hispanic community occurred after Stern commented on her music and Spanish people. After a song of hers was played with gunshot sound effects, Stern said "Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul."{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cHsKAAAAIBAJ&dq=howard-stern%20selena&pg=7010%2C1598458 |title= Columnist: Language Was The Last Barrier For Selena |date=1995-04-07 |access-date=2009-07-18 |first=Julia |last=Prodis |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate }}{{dead link|date=July 2011}} He called one of her records "awful music that could only be popular with that segment of society."{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1jRSAAAAIBAJ&dq=stern%20says%20comments%20not%20meant%20to%20hurt%20victim's%20loved%20ones&pg=2355%2C5421542 |title= Stern says comments not meant to hurt victim's loved ones |date=1995-04-07 |access-date=2009-07-18 |first=Corpus |last=Christi |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate }} Callers to KEGL in Dallas, Texas, jammed the station's switchboards.{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6329640_ITM |title= How Low Can You Go? |date=1995-04-05 |access-date=2009-07-18 |publisher=Tribune News Service }} The League of United Latin American Citizens attempted to get Stern off the air, while listeners called for boycotts against his advertisers. Stern responded to the reaction with a statement in Spanish, arguing that his comments were not intended to cause pain to her family, friends and loved ones.Colford, p. 258 Justice of the Peace Eloy Cano of Harlingen, Texas, issued an arrest warrant on Stern for disorderly conduct,{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1995/04/13/1995-04-13_judge_wants_stern_to_face_mu.html |title=Judge Wants Stern To Face Music For Selena Comments |date=1995-04-13 |access-date=2009-07-18 |first=David |last=Hinckley |newspaper=New York Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907074527/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1995/04/13/1995-04-13_judge_wants_stern_to_face_mu.html |archive-date=2010-09-07 }} which remained in place for a year after the incident.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oLEsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4646,5601139&dq=shock+jock+should+avoid+texas&hl=en |title=Shock jock should avoid Texas |date=1996-03-30 |access-date=2010-09-30 |newspaper=Morning Star |page=2A }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The Howard Stern Show was syndicated to 26 stations nationwide by the end of 1995,Colford, p. 256. and was the subject of two Billboard awards for Network/Syndicated Program of the Year in the modern rock and mainstream rock categories in 1996.{{cite news | title = Billboard/Airplay Monitor Radio Award Winners Cross Format Lines | date = 21 September 1996 | magazine= Billboard | access-date = June 26, 2011 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wwkEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+howard+stern+show%22+%22award%22&pg=PA69}} In February 1996, Stern announced the Howard Stern Radio Network, an agreement that let him form a network consisting of radio personalities that he approved. Stations would be able to choose shows from a 24-hour menu or carry the network's programming around the clock.Colford, p. 269. In November, the show relocated to a new studio in New York City, four times the size of its former location that housed space for bands to perform. Live performances increased then on, including those by Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Cheap Trick and White Zombie, in the first four months.{{Cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10|title=Stern's 'Private Parts' Going Public|first=Jim|last=Bessman|magazine=Billboard|date=February 1, 1997|access-date=August 13, 2016|pages=10, 68}} By the end of 1996, the show aired on 34 stations.Colford, p. 270.

In December 1997, Martling began a six-week absence from the show as he was unable to reach an agreement with Infinity during contract negotiations.{{sfn|Luerssen|2009|p=110}} In mid-1998, Talkers magazine named the show as the most-listened to radio show in the US, with an estimated 17.5 million listeners each week. In the New York City area alone, one in four men aged 18–34 of the listening audience were tuning in.{{sfn|Luerssen|2009|pp=120–122}}

The show aired on Canadian airwaves for the first time on September 2, 1997, to CHOM in Montreal and CILQ in Toronto.Kamalipour and Rampal, p. 105 Stern's comments about French people and their language caused a rift with some listeners. "There is something about the language that turns you into a pussy-assed jack off... Anybody who speaks French is a scumbag. It turns you into a coward. Just like in World War II, they would not stick up for us. The French were the first ones to cave in to the Nazis, and certainly, certainly were over-productive for the Nazis, when they became their puppets."{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decision/971017appendix_ad.htm|title=CHOM-FM and CILQ-FM re Howard Stern Show|accessdate=December 21, 2024|archive-date=February 8, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980208233557/http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decision/971017appendix_ad.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}} The show also received complaints from Canadian listeners for alleged sexist, racist, homophobic and improper sexual comments.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decision/971017appendix.htm|title=CHOM-FM and CILQ-FM re Howard Stern Show: Appendices|accessdate=December 21, 2024|archive-date=February 8, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980208214408/http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decision/971017appendix.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}} Ratings for the two stations increased nonetheless by 62% and 47% respectively.Kamalipour & Rampal, p. 105 Following listener complaints and censorship enforced by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the show was cancelled in Montreal in 1998 and in Toronto in 2001.[https://web.archive.org/web/19981206002047/http://www.animaux.net/stern/toronto.html 'King of all media' loses toehold in Canada] The Ottawa Citizen November 24, 2001

A day after the Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, Colorado, on April 20, 1999, Stern's comments regarding the incident drew criticism from some listeners. "There were some really good looking girls running out with their hands over their heads ... Did [the suspects] try to have sex with any of the good looking girls? ... At least if you are going to kill yourself and kill all the kids, why wouldn't you have some sex? ... If I was going to kill some people, I'd take them out with sex."[http://www.rcfp.org/news/1999/0503e.html Howard Stern under fire from Colorado assembly] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615011329/http://www.rcfp.org/news/1999/0503e.html |date=2006-06-15 }} Hundreds complained to KXPK, the show's affiliate in Denver.{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Schwartzman |title=Howard shoots himself |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/05/02/1999-05-02_howard_shoots_himself_furor_.html |work=New York Daily News |date=1999-05-02 |access-date=2009-08-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118155808/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/05/02/1999-05-02_howard_shoots_himself_furor_.html |archive-date=2010-01-18 }} Stern argued his comments were taken out of context, and accused critics of being overly sensitive. "I dared to ask if kids had sex. So what? That's how I think. I had zero intent to make fun of the situation. The point in making that comment was an attempt to try to understand a motive. We didn't know anything about motives [the morning after] and were trying to consider all possibilities."{{cite news | last = Close| first = Brian| title = Stern's comments push limits of shock| work = The Minnesota Daily| date= April 29, 1999| url = http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1999/04/29/10423| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930205742/http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1999/04/29/10423| archive-date=2007-09-30| access-date = 2006-09-29 }}

In May 1999, Stern made headlines after former child star Dana Plato committed suicide one day after visiting the show. Plato had been living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, surrounded by rumors of her sexuality and drug abuse, which became the biggest topic of the interview. After telling Stern she had been sober for over a decade and denying rumors about her lesbian relationship, some callers accused her of lying. At some point Stern suggested that Plato do a urinalysis to prove them wrong, while Plato agreed to give a hair sample for analysis.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/diffrent_strokes_kid_dana_plato_dead/38139|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715232837/http://uk.eonline.com/news/diffrent_strokes_kid_dana_plato_dead/38139|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title="Diff'rent Strokes" Kid Dana Plato Dead|first=Joal|last=Ryan|date=May 10, 1999|work=E! Online|access-date=November 25, 2011}} Plato was crying several times, mostly while offering her gratitude to callers who believed everything she had said. Stern also asked her if she had ever considered suicide to which she replied, "Hell no. I've got a beautiful boy. I'm OK in my skin. I'm OK with who I am." Plato died of a drug overdose the next day.{{cite journal|last=O'Neill|first=Anne-Marie|date=1999-06-07|title=Seeking Serenity|journal=People|volume=51|issue=20|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20128431,00.html}}

=2000–2005: Staff changes and terrestrial radio departure=

File:Artielangesit.jpg

In December 2000, Stern renewed his contract with Infinity Broadcasting to continue the radio show for five years.{{Cite web|url=https://business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-68363427/stern-still-shocking-infinity|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828192117/https://business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-68363427/stern-still-shocking-infinity|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2016|title=Stern still shocking at Infinity|date=December 18, 2000|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 21, 2016}} Industry analysts questioned Stern's relevance as the show's ratings had declined since 1998, including a 20 per cent drop in listeners in Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67779831DE827.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195614/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0FF67779831DE827.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2016|title=Will Stern sign off airwaves for good?|date=December 8, 2000|work=Indiana Post-Tribune|access-date=August 28, 2016}} Broadcasting & Cable reasoned the decline to Stern's separation from his wife in late 1999 which made him "considerably less intriguing".{{Cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68213048.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195241/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68213048.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2016|title=Burning Stern|date=November 27, 2000|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=August 28, 2016}}

In March 2001, Stern announced the departure of Martling, who was unable to reach an agreement over a new contract with WXRK. A "Win Jackie's Money" contest began where comedians auditioned for Martling's spot by sitting in on shows. Craig Gass, Doug Stanhope, Richard Jeni, Jim Florentine, A.J. Benza, and Ron Zimmerman were among the participants. In October, comedian and actor Artie Lange joined the show full-time.{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/5944.htm |title= Stern Replaces Jokeman Jackie |last=Kaplan |first=Don |date=2001-10-08 |access-date=2009-10-29 |publisher=NYPost.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20011009041457/http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/5944.htm |archive-date= 2001-10-09 }}

Stern aired live during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and continued to broadcast with most of his staff until around 12:15 pm. The live reporting was one of the first for those listening across the country, with callers sharing their own experiences. In September 2006, a 90-minute special featuring the staff and their recollections of the day aired on Howard TV, titled 9.11.01: A Retrospective.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0859367/ |title= "Howard Stern on Demand" 9.11.01: A Retrospective (2006) |access-date=2009-08-10 |website=Internet Movie Database }}

In September 2003, the FCC declared the show a "bona fide news interview program", making it exempt from equal-time requirements placed for political candidates.{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstamendmentjournal.com/news.aspx?id=11908|title=FCC: Howard Stern's show is 'bona fide news interview' program|publisher=Associated Press|date=September 10, 2003|access-date=June 27, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628042358/http://www.firstamendmentjournal.com/news.aspx?id=11908|archive-date=June 28, 2013}}

On February 27, 2004, John Melendez left the show to become the announcer on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Stern accused Leno of stealing his segments such as goofy red carpet interviews and booking Kenneth Keith Kallenbach, a member of the show's Wack Pack. On March 17, a "Win John's Job" contest was announced that allowed regular contributors and callers the opportunity to replace Melendez. Richard Christy, a former electrician and drummer of various death and heavy metal bands including Iced Earth and Death, won with 30% of the listener vote. Former stockbroker Sal Governale, the runner-up with 24%, was also hired in September.

On February 26, 2004, Stern was cancelled on six stations owned by Clear Channel Communications after a caller used the word "nigger" when asking Rick Salomon if he ever had sex with a black person the day before.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2004/02/26/2004-02-26_howard_stern_gets_booted_in_.html |title=Howard Stern Booted In 6 Cities |last=Huff |first=Richard |work=New York Daily News |date=2004-02-26 |access-date=2010-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907070146/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2004/02/26/2004-02-26_howard_stern_gets_booted_in_.html |archive-date=September 7, 2010 }} Following the issue of a $495,000 fine to Clear Channel by the FCC, which cited sexual discussions on a show from 2003, Stern was removed permanently on the six stations.{{cite news | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486272/20040408/stern_howard.jhtml?headlines=true | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040503005210/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486272/20040408/stern_howard.jhtml?headlines=true | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 3, 2004 | title = Howard Stern Broadcast Costs Clear Channel Nearly $500,000 | last = Mancini | first = Robert | work = MTV News | date = April 8, 2004 | access-date = March 25, 2010 }} Stern returned to four of the six markets that he was suspended from, including five new ones, on Infinity-owned stations on July 19.{{cite web|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-07-01/news/18272302_1_howard-stern-clear-channel-indecency-controversy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511051128/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-07-01/news/18272302_1_howard-stern-clear-channel-indecency-controversy|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2012|title=Stern Talks His Way Onto 9 New Stations|last=Hinckley|first=David|work=New York Daily News|date=2004-07-01|access-date=2011-09-25}} The April 1, 2004 broadcast featured an April Fool's Day prank where the show was supposedly cancelled and replaced with Cross and Lopez, a new show that promised "fun without the filth".{{sfn|Luerssen|2009|p=182}}

On October 6, 2004, Stern announced his five-year contract with Sirius Satellite Radio, a subscription-based satellite radio service, free from the FCC's regulations. A contributing factor in the decision was the aftermath of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy which began the tightening of censorship and regulation in broadcasting. The deal, worth approximately $100 million a year for all costs, included a bonus stock payment of $83 million for Stern in January 2007 for surpassing subscriber goals set in 2004.{{cite web|url = http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=PresReleAsset&cid=1097008921509 |title = Howard Stern and Sirius Announce the Most Important Deal in Radio History |access-date = 2009-08-24 |publisher = Sirius.com}}{{cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN0946010120070110 |title = Sirius Pays Howard Stern $83 Million Stock Bonus |access-date = 2009-08-24 |work = Reuters | date=2007-01-10}} Promotion of Sirius met with controversy as Stern mentioned the service on air, instructing listeners in purchasing receivers and subscriptions. In one incident, Farid Suleman of Citadel Broadcasting billed Stern $200,000 for the continual advertising mentions.{{cite web|url = http://www.rbr.com/epaper/issue2-05-ty.html |title = Citadel CEO Farid Suleman Wants 200K From Stern |access-date = 2009-08-24 |publisher = Rbr.com }} On November 8, 2005, Stern was suspended for one day for excessive promotion of the service;{{cite web|url=http://fmqb.com/article.asp?id=142148|title=Howard Stern Returns And Details Suspension|work=FMQB|date=2005-11-09|access-date=2011-09-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331215440/http://fmqb.com/article.asp?id=142148|archive-date=2012-03-31}} after moving to Sirius, Stern called the suspension a ploy by CBS to bolster its $500 million lawsuit against Stern in early 2006. CBS ultimately received 0.004% of the money it had sought. Sirius paid $2 million to CBS, and CBS relinquished full ownership of Stern's 20-year archive of broadcast content to Sirius.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114866357204864357|title = Sirius Agrees to Pay $2 Million to CBS to Settle Stern Lawsuit|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = May 26, 2006}}

Stern hosted his final show on terrestrial radio on December 16, 2005.{{Cite news |last=Day |first=Julia |date=2005-01-06 |title=Citadel turns off 'bad-mouthing' Stern |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jan/06/business.usnews |access-date=2025-01-08 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1518406/howard-stern-goodbye-fm-radio.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108030437/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1518406/howard-stern-goodbye-fm-radio.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2012|title=Stern Says Goodbye To FM Radio With Times Square Celebration|first=Chris|last=Haris|date=2005-12-16|work=MTV|access-date=2011-09-24}} A stage was built outside the studio for Stern, his colleagues and Wack Pack members to make their farewell speeches. In his closing speech, Stern thanked the New York City Police Department, dedicating the show to Sergeant Keith Manning, a friend who at the time was serving in Iraq. When off the air, Stern traveled to the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on an open-top bus and met Martha Stewart, who was broadcasting on her own Sirius channel, Martha Stewart Living Radio. Stern's contract with Infinity Broadcasting expired at midnight on December 31. The show was syndicated to as many as 60 markets{{cite news|last=Deggans|first=Eric|title= Bubba, relaunched|work=St. Petersburg Times|date=2005-12-11|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/11/Artsandentertainment/Bubba__relaunched.shtml|access-date=2011-09-24}}{{cite magazine | last = Tucker | first = Ken | title = Communication Sharpens Syndie Sword | magazine = Billboard Radio Monitor |date= March 3, 2006 | url = http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4488183-1.html}} across the United States and Canada, and gained a peak audience of 20 million listeners.{{cite news | last = Condran | first = Ed | title = Stern Producer Flourishes By The Skin Of His Teeth | newspaper = The Morning Call | date = July 31, 1998 | url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/32538396.html?dids=32538396:32538396&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+31%2C+1998&author=ED+CONDRAN+%28A+free-lance+story+for+The+Morning+Call%29&pub=Morning+Call&desc=STERN+PRODUCER+FLOURISHES+BY+THE+SKIN+OF+HIS+TEETH&pqatl=google | access-date = July 7, 2017 | archive-date = July 27, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130727132845/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/32538396.html?dids=32538396:32538396&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+31,+1998&author=ED+CONDRAN+(A+free-lance+story+for+The+Morning+Call)&pub=Morning+Call&desc=STERN+PRODUCER+FLOURISHES+BY+THE+SKIN+OF+HIS+TEETH&pqatl=google | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | last = James | first = Renee A. | title = Hmmm? Stern's critics are plugged into regular radio | newspaper = The Morning Call | date = October 1, 2006 | url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/1139172241.html?dids=1139172241:1139172241&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+01%2C+2006&author=Renee+A.+James%2C+Special+to+The+Morning+Call+-+Freelance&pub=Morning+Call&desc=Hmmm%3F+Stern%27s+critics+are+plugged+into+regular+radio&pqatl=google | access-date = July 7, 2017 | archive-date = July 27, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130727125647/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/1139172241.html?dids=1139172241%3A1139172241&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Oct+01%2C+2006&author=Renee+A.+James%2C+Special+to+The+Morning+Call+-+Freelance&pub=Morning+Call&desc=Hmmm%3F+Stern%27s+critics+are+plugged+into+regular+radio&pqatl=google | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | last = Sullivan | first = James | title = Love him or hate him, Stern is a true pioneer | publisher = Today.com |date= December 14, 2005 | url = https://www.today.com/popculture/love-him-or-hate-him-stern-true-pioneer-wbna10454035}} In the New York market the show was the highest-rated morning program consecutively for seven years between 1994 and 2001.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/04/23/2001-04-23_hot-97_returns_to_the_top.html |title=Hot-97 Returns To The Top |last=Hinkley |first=David |work=Daily News |date=April 23, 2001 |access-date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629060434/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/04/23/2001-04-23_hot-97_returns_to_the_top.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }} Stern's successor in various East Coast affiliates, The David Lee Roth Show, attracted a market share of 1.8% in January 2006, which was down from 7.9% that Stern acquired a month previous.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shock-duo-opie-anthony-sign-new-cbs-radio-deal|title=Opie & Anthony get new CBS Radio deal|first=David B.|last=Wilkerson|access-date=2011-09-16|work=MarketWatch|date=2006-04-24}} Stern was replaced with The Adam Carolla Show on numerous West Coast affiliates, and the still airing Rover's Morning Glory in mostly Midwestern markets.{{cite web|title=Infinity Announces Howard Stern Replacement Strategy|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=137561|date=October 25, 2005|work=FMQB.com|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services|access-date=November 3, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404074432/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=137561|archive-date=April 4, 2012}}

=2006–present: SiriusXM Radio=

File:Howard stern show studio at sirius.jpg

File:President Biden speaks about family on Howard Stern.webm

The Howard Stern Show made its debut broadcast on Sirius on January 9, 2006. The show began with Also sprach Zarathustra with added flatulence sound effects. George Takei then introduced himself as the show's new announcer.{{cite news | first= Sisario |last= Ben |title= Howard Stern Embarks on World Conquest Via Satellite | work= The New York Times |url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505E1D81F30F933A25752C0A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 |date= January 10, 2006| access-date= July 13, 2010}} 180,000 Sirius radios were activated a day before.{{cite web |url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=January&day=9&year=2006&x=43&y=6 |title=The Revolution Begins |access-date=2009-12-03 |last=Pansaci |first=Tom |author2=Kaplan, Jason |work=HowardStern.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004110001/http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=January&day=9&year=2006&x=43&y=6 |archive-date=2012-10-04 }} Stern read out the list of revelations for the show's "Revelations Game", where staff told an unknown secret about themselves.

In May 2006, Stern claimed he had received offers from three major companies to return to terrestrial radio. Although he would never return, Stern did mention that it would be "cool to go back and kick their asses." Although the names of the companies were never revealed, media organizations announced that Stern was considering a return. To clear up the rumors, the Associated Press were called on-air on May 10. "The story is I wouldn't do terrestrial radio for any reason", said Stern.{{cite news | title=Howard Stern: It's a satellite life for me | agency=Associated Press| publisher=Today.com|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/howard-stern-its-satellite-life-me-wbna12718827 |date=May 10, 2006| access-date=2006-07-26}} Rumors once again arose in September 2006 that Stern would be returning, and were once again denied by Stern and Sirius. Sirius representative Patrick Reilly told United Press International that there were never "any discussions of Howard Stern in any way, shape, or form being anything but exclusive to Sirius. Published reports suggesting otherwise are wrong."{{cite news | title=Stern dismisses terrestrial radio rumors | publisher=UPI| url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060920-044632-7442r |date=September 20, 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111223038/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060920-044632-7442r|archive-date=2006-11-11|access-date=2010-03-17}}

Stern announced on June 7, 2006, that the lawsuit settlement with CBS Radio finally gave Sirius the exclusive rights to his entire back catalog of broadcasts from WXRK, totalling almost 23,000 hours. It was reported that Sirius agreed to pay CBS $2 million for the rights, equating to around $87 per-hour of tape.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stern-gets-old-tapes-cbs-gets-2m/ |title=Stern Gets Old Tapes, CBS Gets $2M | first=Brian| last=Dakss| date=2006-05-25| publisher=CBS News/AP}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052601705.html |title=Stern Gets Rights to Tapes In Settlement With CBS|last=Ahrens| first=Frank| newspaper=Washington Post|date=2006-05-26}} On December 2, 2009, it was announced that every tape had been digitized on a server taking up multiple terabytes of data.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

After a suicide attempt in January 2010, Lange left the show.{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/id/42122964/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/stern-artie-lange-wants-be-back-show/#.UiC_yRukpHQ|title=Stern: Artie Lange wants to be back on the show|last=Garvey|first=Marianne|work=Today|date=March 17, 2011}}

On December 9, 2010, Stern announced the signing of a new five-year contract with Sirius XM which ended in December 2015.{{cite news | title= Howard Stern to stay with Sirius Satellite Radio; signs new five-year contract |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/12/09/2010-12-09_howard_stern_to_stay_with_sirius_satellite_radio_signs_new_fiveyear_contract.html | work= New York Daily News | date= December 9, 2010 | access-date= December 9, 2010}} In September 2013, Howard TV's contract was not renewed and the service ended.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/howard-sterns-on-demand-tv-show-to-end/|title=Howard Stern's On Demand TV Show to End|date=2013-09-17|work=TheWrap|access-date=2018-03-10|language=en-US}}

On December 15, 2015, Stern announced he signed a new deal with SiriusXM to continue his radio show until December 2020. The agreement includes a 12-year deal giving SiriusXM the rights to his radio and video archives for an upcoming streaming video app tentatively called Howard 360.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/howard-stern-5-year-deal-sirius-xm-satellite-radio-1201661527/|work=Variety|title=Howard Stern Sets New Five-Year Deal with SiriusXM Satellite Radio That Includes Video Plans|date=December 15, 2015|first=Cynthia|last=Littleton|access-date=December 15, 2015}}

In 2015 and 2016, The New York Times and The Washington Post addressed changes in the show's direction, with an emphasis on celebrity interviews and change in tone. The New York Times wrote: "Scattered among the gleefully vulgar mainstays are now long, starkly intimate live exchanges—character excavations that have made Mr. Stern one of the most deft and engrossing celebrity interviewers in the business and a sought-after stop for stars selling a movie or setting the record straight."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/arts/howard-stern-sirius.html?_r=0|title=Feminist. Adult.What the Hell Happened to Howard Stern?|work=The New York Times|first=David|last=Segal|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=August 3, 2016}} Amongst the changes to the show, some Wack Pack members have been given less offensive names; Wendy the Retard was renamed Wendy the Slow Adult. During an interview with Madonna, Stern said of his earlier years in radio, "I used to say bad things about everybody ... I was an angry young man." Former staff member Jackie Martling commented, "Howard has become a lot of the things that he always told people not to become", while John Melendez said, "There's nothing wrong with change, but the old Howard would probably goof on the new Howard now."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/is-howard-stern-going-soft-or-just-getting-sharper/2015/12/13/691d8cfe-9ddc-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html|title=Is Howard Stern going soft or just getting sharper?|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Libby|last=Copleand|date=December 15, 2015|access-date=August 3, 2016}} The Wall Street Journal attributed Stern's softening image to his chief operating officer, Marci Turk.{{cite web |last1=Flint |first1=Joe |title=The Woman Behind Howard Stern |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-woman-behind-howard-sternstern-1493675605 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=June 18, 2023 |date=May 1, 2017 |url-access= subscription}}

In October 2019, the show aired live from Los Angeles to commemorate the opening of a new SiriusXM studio. This marked the show's first broadcasts outside New York City since 2004.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/howard-stern-siriusxm-west-coast-los-angeles-broadcast-1203325067/|title=Howard Stern Heads to Hollywood for First West Coast Broadcast in 20 Years|first=Michelle Amabile|last=Angermiller|work=Variety|date=September 5, 2019|access-date=September 17, 2019}}

In June 2020, Stern faced criticism for a 1993 sketch from his New Year's Rotten Eve Pageant special in which Stern parodied Ted Danson's Friars Club appearance by wearing blackface and repeatedly using the N-word and other racial slurs. Addressing the renewed controversy, Stern stated: "The shit I did was fucking crazy ... I'll be the first to admit. I won't go back and watch those old shows; it's like, who is that guy. But that was my shtick, that's what I did and I own it."{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/howard-stern-backlash-resurfaced-blackface-use-n-word|title=Howard Stern responds to backlash over resurfaced blackface sketch, use of N-word|first=Tyler|last=McCarthy|publisher=Fox News|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Quivers and Stern both stated that both he and the show have "evolved" over the years.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/entertainment/howard-stern-responds-blackface/index.html|title=Howard Stern responds to controversy over resurfaced blackface performance|first=Chloe|last=Melas|publisher=CNN|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=June 16, 2020}}

In the summer of 2021, Stern spoke out strongly against Americans who refused to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and called for mandatory vaccinations, saying "When are we gonna stop putting up with the idiots in this country and just say it's mandatory to get vaccinated? Fuck 'em. Fuck their freedom".{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/10/entertainment/howard-stern-vaccine-comments/index.html |title = Howard Stern to anti-vaxxers: 'You had the cure and you wouldn't take it' - CNN| website=CNN | date=September 10, 2021 }} Stern also called for the firing of professional athletes who are misleading about their vaccination status,{{cite web |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/howard-stern-nfl-should-fire-aaron-rodgers-for-vaccine-comments/ |title = Howard Stern: NFL Should Fire Aaron Rodgers for Vaccine Comments| date=November 9, 2021 }} and mocked on his radio show other talk show hosts who spoke out against the vaccine and subsequently died from COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=Bailey-Millado |first1=Rob |title=Howard Stern rips anti-vax radio hosts who died: 'F–k their freedom' |url=https://nypost.com/2021/09/09/howard-stern-rips-anti-vax-radio-hosts-who-died-f-k-your-freedom/ |website=nypost.com |date=September 9, 2021 |publisher=NY Post |access-date=14 December 2021}}

In May 2023, the show aired from Miami to commemorate the opening of another new SiriusXM studio. This was the first time in 3 years the show broadcast from a studio since the COVID-19 pandemic began.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/siriusxm-miami-studios-opening-photos-1235602512/|title=SiriusXM Finds a New Home in the Magic City With Opening of Miami Studios|work=Variety|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=May 4, 2023}}

FCC fines

{{Main|Federal Communications Commission fines of The Howard Stern Show}}

From 1990 to 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined owners of radio stations that carried The Howard Stern Show a total of $2.5 million for indecent programming.{{cite web |title= Indecency on the Air. Shock-radio jock Howard Stern remains 'King of All Fines' |first= John |last= Dunbar |date= April 9, 2004 |url= http://projects.publicintegrity.org/telecom/report.aspx?aid=239 |publisher= The Center for Public Integrity |access-date= September 6, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100706225626/http://projects.publicintegrity.org/telecom/report.aspx?aid=239 |archive-date= July 6, 2010 |url-status= dead }}

Show staff

In addition to their regular behind-the-scenes responsibilities, some show staff regularly appear on-air with Stern for comedy bits, conversations with Stern and Quivers, and a variety other content.

;Current

Howard Stern – host
Robin Quivers – co-host
Fred Norris – sound effects, in-studio comedian, writer, producer
Gary Dell'Abate – executive producer, co-host of The Wrap-Up Show
Jason Kaplan – executive producer
Will Murray – senior producer, head writer
Jon Hein – Executive Producer Howard 101, co-host of The Wrap-Up Show
Steve Brandano – director of talent relations
Benjy Bronk – writer
Richard Christy – writer, producer
Sal "The Stockbroker" Governale – writer, producer
JD Harmeyer – media content producer
Mike Trainor – writer, producer
Chris Wilding – writer, producer
Steve Nowicki – writer, producer
Memet Walker – writer, producer
Rahsaan Rogers – producer, co-host of The Wrap-Up Show
Ronnie "The Limo Driver" Mund – correspondent
Bob "Wolfie" Wolf – writer, producer
Jonathan Blitt – writer, producer
Mike Pearlman – writer, producer

;Former

Jackie Martling – head writer, in-studio comedian
Artie Lange – in-studio comedian
Billy West – impressionist, in-studio comedian
Al Rosenberg – writer, performer
"Stuttering John" Melendez – intern, call screener, celebrity interviewer, producer
Lisa Glasberg – Howard 100 News reporter
Steve Langford – Howard 100 News reporter
"High Pitch" Mike Morales – Howard 100 News producer
Lee Davis – producer
KC Armstrong – associate producer
Scott "The Engineer" Salem – engineer
Jon Leiberman – Howard 100 News reporter
George Takei – announcer
Brent Hatley – senior producer
Shuli Egar – writer, producer, Howard 100 News reporter

;Some former interns

Steve Grillo
Mike Gange
Mitch Fatel
Roz Weston
Jimmy Pop

;Timeline

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id:Co-Host value:green legend:Co-Host

id:Sound value:purple legend:Sound effects

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bar:Quivers text:"Robin Quivers"

bar:Norris text:"Fred Norris"

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bar:West text:"Billy West"

bar:Lange text:"Artie Lange"

bar:Davis text:"Lee Davis"

bar:DellAbate text:"Gary Dell'Abate"

bar:Melendez text:"John Melendez"

bar:Bronk text:"Benjy Bronk"

bar:Christy text:"Richard Christy"

bar:Governale text:"Sal Governale"

bar:Salem text:"Scott Salem"

bar:Armstrong text:"KC Armstrong"

bar:Shuli text:"Shuli Egar"

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bar:Quivers from:03/02/1981 till:end color:Co-Host

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bar:Norris from:01/01/1982 till:end color:Sound

bar:Rosenberg from:09/01/1982 till:08/01/1986 color:Comedian

bar:Martling from:02/01/1983 till:03/31/2001 color:Comedian

bar:West from:01/01/1989 till:11/01/1995 color:Comedian

bar:Lange from:10/26/2001 till:01/02/2010 color:Comedian

bar:Davis from:09/01/1982 till:09/03/1984 color:Producer

bar:DellAbate from:09/04/1984 till:end color:Producer

bar:Melendez from:01/01/1988 till:03/01/2004 color:Writer

bar:Bronk from:01/01/2000 till:end color:Writer

bar:Christy from:07/01/2004 till:end color:Writer

bar:Governale from:07/01/2004 till:end color:Writer

bar:Salem from:02/10/1986 till:01/01/2019 color:Engineer

bar:Armstrong from:03/02/1998 till:01/02/2005 color:Producer

bar:Shuli from:04/01/2005 till:01/01/2021 color:Comedian

The Wack Pack

The Wack Pack is a group of people featured on the show, each of whom bears a signature trait, such as a skill, disability, or a unique personal appearance. On February 24, 2015, Stern and crew voted on an "official" list of Wack Pack members; there are 40 living and deceased members. Though since then, some more have joined.{{cite web|title=Tuesday, February 24, 2015|url=http://www.howardstern.com/howard-on-air/howard-100-101/2015-02-24|website=HowardStern.com|access-date=20 March 2015|archivedate=February 25, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225054218/https://www.howardstern.com/howard-on-air/howard-100-101/2015-02-24}}