#SiriusXM names Jennifer Witz to replace longtime CEO Jim Meyer

Satellite radio giant SiriusXM named Jennifer Witz to replace its longtime chief executive Jim Meyer, who will retire on Dec. 31.

Witz, the company’s president of sales, marketing and operations, will be the first woman to hold the top job. Meyer, who held the role of CEO since 2013, said his decision to retire has “long been in the works.”

Meyer has recently been in the news for trying to broker an agreement with Howard Stern to extend his contract. Negotiations have gone on for several months, with Meyer saying as recently as last week that he is “optimistic” about the outcome.

Under Meyer’s reign as CEO, Sirius was able to grow subscribers to just over 34 million as of June 30 and beef up the firm’s podcast offering with the acquisition of Stitcher and Pandora within the last two years.

Meyer will remain on Sirius’ board of directors and serve as vice chairman after he retires.