Much as everyone loved having Howard Stern as a judge on America’s Got Talent, the media personality has categorically stated that he didn’t like being on the show. In fact, he loathed every minute he spent on AGT. How sad. He spent three years doing something he didn’t like!
Luckily for him, there’s something else he undoubtedly loves. Something he has spent decades doing, and which he has become exceptionally good at – radio. Howard first got into radio in 1976 and has honed his skills over the decades to become one of the household names in the industry.
Sirius XM
Since 2006, he has been on Sirius XM, hosting globally recognized figures in his studio. For a man of his talent and experience, you reckon the satellite radio forks out a lot of money to keep him around, right?
Matter-of-factly, Howard Stern is the highest-earning radio entertainer thanks to the Sirius XM deal he renegotiated in late 2015. This new deal saw him prolong his stay for a further five years, as well as adding an impressive $10 million to his annual salary. This increment saw his annual paycheck shoot to $90 million per year!
Now that the contract is almost up, do you think Sirius XM will let it expire? We don’t think so! There have already been talks of a new one being drawn up, and knowing Stern, he’ll go for the jugular.
The man could soon be a centurion! An annual salary of $100 million would surely be enough to keep him at the station, doing what he does best.
In addition to radio, Stern is also an author. Last month brought with it the publishing of his third book, Howard Stern Comes Again. This third one features a collection of the talk show host’s best interviews, although he describes them as more of conversations.
Stern has hosted quite the celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mike Tyson, Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel and many more. Although there has been no confirmation as to how much the radio personality made for his latest book, you can be sure that it was quite an amount.
His publishing company, Simon & Schuster, was all over the man to write another book, and they must have offered an advance generously, to be supplemented by a handsome compensation package.
King of All Media
Since 1992, Howard Stern has labeled himself King of All Media. To be honest, he has earned the title, having conquered radio, television, and print media. He has hosted (and produced) late-night TV shows and his books have sold a combined total of over a million copies.
The first book, published in 1993, did so well that it was adapted into a film, with Stern and his radio team appearing as their real-life selves.
At 65, the man can look back and be proud of all he has achieved thus far, especially since he doubted his talent at the start of it all. Soon after he graduated college, Stern turned down a WRNW offer, stating that he didn’t think he had what it took to get into radio. After a few odd jobs, he contacted the station and they agreed to have him on!