NEW YORK (AP) — Howard Stern, the popular radio host who gave a massive boost to the nascent satellite radio business when he signed a blockbuster, multimillion dollar contract for SiriusXM almost two decades ago, has abruptly left the company.

Stern, 71, who evolved from his shock jock origins to become a respected interviewer, did not appear on the channel Monday, with a flustered Andy Cohen replacing him.

“I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard and this is not how things were meant to go,” Cohen said. “This was supposed to be a cleaner hand off. I’m kind of winging it,” and calling it a “surreal morning here.”

“I can’t overstate what Howard has meant to this company and what he did for SiriusXM. He walked so that we could run. I can’t possibly fill his void," said C

See Full Page