Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell as 'American Idol' judge?

The Post further said that the news is not a deal yet but the producers' first pick was Stern.

“It's one of the few shows that could compete with Stern's $100 million-a-year Sirius contract (which expires this year), and 'Idol' bosses think he'd be even nastier than Simon,” said one of the Post sources.

“They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. ‘Idol’ will do what it takes to sign him. Despite what he’s been saying on-air, Howard isn’t ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius,” the source said.

“We believe this is a ploy to make Sirius pay up and keep him on his huge contract. But if Sirius can’t pay him the money he wants, he may negotiate to film ‘Idol’ on the side,” the Post source added.

It is even reported that due to the latest buzz, differences may arise between Stern and DeGeneres.

Stern picked as his current contract expires
Apart from being the producers' lucky pick, Stern is being considered for the simple reason that his contract with current employer SiriusXM Radio Inc. expired in January.

However Stern only said, "I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year — and I did turn it down . . . I’m not even sure if I want to be working. I’m waiting to see what happens.”

'American Idol': search has just begun
However, “American Idol” did not confirm or deny the news. A source close to the show said, “The search has just begun, nor are there any front-runners at this time.”

“Nobody’s going to be offered a job [as a permanent Idol judge] for a while. We’re doing a very thorough search,” the source added.

Television producer Simon Cowell announced his leave from the talent show only last month. 'The X Factor' is due for 2011.