The fallout from the latest round of layoffs at “The Howard Stern Show” reportedly is not over yet. Multiple former employees are said to be negotiating with SiriusXM after rejecting initial severance packages that offered approximately one week of pay for every year they worked on the program. The offers also reportedly came with strict nondisclosure agreements, but one insider claimed not everyone was willing to sign immediately.
According to multiple sources, several laid-off staff members declined the first severance offer presented to them. “Some people are still negotiating their exit packages,” one insider told The U.S. Sun. Another source claimed some former employees eventually felt more comfortable with the amount they received after going back and forth with SiriusXM’s human resources department.
The severance negotiations reportedly centered on more than just money. The initial packages allegedly included strict NDAs governing what former employees could publicly discuss after leaving the company.
Although some staffers have described the layoffs as unexpected, another source claimed employees had already noticed warning signs. “The writing was on the wall,” the insider said. “Staff knew these layoffs were coming.”
More Than A Dozen ‘Howard Stern Show’ Staffers Were Let Go
The cuts reportedly affected more than a dozen people connected to Stern’s long-running SiriusXM operation, including at least five on-air personalities.
The layoffs followed a Zoom call during which employees reportedly learned that Stern would reduce his schedule to one live show per week beginning in September.
Moving forward, “The Howard Stern Show” is expected to air as a single three-hour block each week.
Rahsaan Rogers Speaks Out After 16 Years
Rahsaan Rogers was among the longtime employees affected by the layoffs after spending 16 years with Stern’s radio operation. He confirmed his departure in a message shared on LinkedIn. “After 16 incredible years with ‘The Howard Stern Show’ and the Howard Stern Channels, I’m opening a new chapter,” Rogers wrote.
He reflected on the opportunities he received during his lengthy tenure, from speaking with people he admired to guiding other employees. “I got to interview people I grew up admiring, direct live broadcasts in real time, and mentor some seriously talented producers along the way,” Rogers said before concluding his post by thanking those who worked alongside him. “To everyone I worked with over these 16 years: thank you. What a ride.”
Howard Stern’s Schedule Has Gradually Shrunk
Stern and his longtime co-host, Robin Quivers, began working together in March 1981. The pair became dominant figures in terrestrial radio while producing five live shows each week. Stern later made a historic move to Sirius Satellite Radio in January 2006 under a reported $500 million agreement.
His schedule gradually became less demanding after joining satellite radio. The program first dropped to four live broadcasts each week before moving to three. Frequent vacations and reruns increasingly filled out the calendar between new episodes.
Radio Host Recently Signed A New Three-Year Contract
The schedule change comes shortly after Stern agreed to remain with SiriusXM through 2028. He signed a new three-year contract in December 2025 and said the agreement would provide him with more “flexibility.” Stern celebrated the deal on his show, telling listeners, “I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all. More free time and continuing to be on the radio.”
The broadcaster made no secret of appreciating the less demanding schedule afforded by the contract. “I do like my days off. You know me, I’m never bored. I’m busy every minute,” Stern said.
Former Staffer Jon Blitt Jokes About His ‘New’ Job
At least one former employee is using humor to navigate the layoffs. Jon Blitt recently shared a video pretending that he had started working at Old Navy following his departure from Stern’s show. “It’s different than my last job, but it’s a job, and the first thing I learned is ABF, ‘Always Be Folding,’” Blitt joked, which referenced Alec Baldwin’s “ABC: Always Be Closing” speech from the film “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
At the end of the video, Blitt approached a customer and asked, “Hi, can I help you?” and accompanied the clip with the hashtag “#newbeginning.”
