Howard Stern is in advanced talks with NBC to take Piers Morgan’s seat on “America’s Got Talent” — but he wants $20 million and the show to move to New York.
Sources tell us “AGT” boss Simon Cowell is hellbent on landing outspoken Stern for the judging panel — but moving the show from its home at Los Angeles’ CBS Television City is the deal-maker.
A source close to the show said, “Cowell really wants Stern on the judging panel. The talk on the production is that it’s practically a done deal. But Stern is asking for a huge fee, and he can’t travel because of his radio show. He wants the show to move to New York.”
Stern plans to continue hosting his radio show on Sirius XM, which broadcasts from here, and he says moving the entire NBC summer talent competition to the East Coast could be the only way he could fully commit.
However, fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel have strong family ties to LA, and moving the production could unsettle the crew.
Another source close to “AGT” told us, “Moving it to New York would mean over 100 people losing their jobs if they don’t move with the show. And inconvenience for Howie and Sharon, who wants to spend more time with her husband, Ozzy. Another idea would be for the show to stay in LA and Howard to be a part-time judge,” the source added.
But a third TV insider told us, “Sharon and Howie are enthusiastic about moving to New York. NBC are handling the negotiations directly with Howard. If the deal gets done, it would be the only entertainment franchise show in New York right now.”
Morgan said earlier this month he was leaving the NBC talent search after six years to focus on his “Piers Morgan Tonight” on CNN.
A rep for Cowell declined to comment, while reps for Stern didn’t get back to us. An NBC rep said, “We do not comment on ongoing negotiations.”