Howard Stern's SiriusXM 101 channel dropped after staff layoffs
SiriusXM is dropping Howard 101, Howard Stern's archive channel, effective September 1—weeks after Page Six reported roughly a dozen staff layoffs tied to his scaled-back schedule. Radio Andy will take channel 101; Howard 100 stays live. The move fits a broader lineup reshuffle making room for Audacy sports simulcasts.
SiriusXM confirmed the change in a Friday subscriber note, calling Howard 101's exit one of several "notable changes" to its channel lineup. Andy Cohen's Radio Andy moves from channel 102 to 101, while Stern's archive station leaves the dial entirely. Howard 100, which carries his live show, remains on channel 100.
Key Takeaways
- Howard 101, Stern's archive channel, exits SiriusXM on September 1, 2026.
- Page Six first reported roughly 12 staff layoffs via Zoom ahead of Stern cutting back to one live show per week.
- Radio Andy replaces Howard 101 on channel 101 as SiriusXM reorganizes for Audacy sports simulcasts.
- Howard 100 continues airing Stern's live programming under a new three-year contract signed in December 2025.
- The realignment shifts comedy channels and adds news outlets like Dateline 24/7 to open dial space.
Why Is SiriusXM Dropping Howard 101?
According to The Desk, the Howard 101 shutdown is part of a broader programming reorganization—not an isolated programming decision. SiriusXM is clearing channels 94 through 99 and 169 through 172 for AM and FM sports radio stations it will begin simulcasting from Audacy at the start of September.
Comedy channels such as Netflix is a Joke Radio and Comedy Central Radio will shift to channels 103 through 109. On the news side, the streaming simulcast of Dateline 24/7 lands on channel 118, while MS NOW moves to channel 117. Most core music channels stay untouched.
Howard 101 aired Stern's older broadcasts, while Howard 100 focuses on new content. With Stern already scaling back to one live show weekly after Labor Day, the archive channel's value appears diminished in SiriusXM's streamlined lineup—a shift that mirrors how streaming and satellite platforms constantly rebalance bandwidth for fresher, live-first programming.
What Happened to Howard Stern's Staff?
Page Six reported in July that Stern laid off around 12 employees via Zoom as he prepared to drop to a single weekly show. Affected workers were sent home immediately and offered severance based on tenure; the Sun reported packages of roughly one week of pay per year worked, though some staff negotiated better terms.
Yahoo, citing earlier reporting, noted Stern cut roughly 50 employees across two layoff rounds this year, with several tied to Howard 101. A source told the U.S. Sun that Stern "begrudgingly accepted" scaling back but felt uneasy waiting on executives to decide the archive channel's fate.
A representative for Stern did not immediately respond to Page Six's request for comment when the channel drop was announced Friday evening.
What Does This Mean for Stern's Future on SiriusXM?
Stern signed a new three-year SiriusXM deal in December 2025 that he said offered "flexibility" and "more free time" while keeping him on the radio. His prior five-year contract was worth $500 million. Wife Beth Stern told Andy Cohen's Sirius show the reduced schedule was "working out really well for him."
Industry observers note Cohen is viewed by some insiders as Stern's spiritual successor should the 72-year-old retire when his current contract ends. Yahoo cited reporting that Stern may end The Howard Stern Show entirely once that deal expires in 2028, though that remains unconfirmed by Stern or SiriusXM.
For subscribers, the practical takeaway is simple: live Stern stays on Howard 100; the archive moves off the satellite dial September 1. Full lineup details are in The Desk's reporting on the SiriusXM realignment.