HOWARD STERN is coming back for another season of "America's Got Talent", which will premiere next summer.  (He made the announcement on his radio show yesterday morning.  There's video on his YouTube channel.)

At this point, he's the only confirmed judge.  SHARON OSBOURNE is moving on after having a falling-out with NBC, and HOWIE MANDEL hasn't decided if he wants to return for another season.  That's fine by Howard.  He said he doesn't care who the other judges are.

He said, "If I don't like the new judge, I'll hit the 'X' [buzzer] on the judge while they're talking.  I'll be like, 'Shut up, no one wants to hear from you.'   Believe me, if I was the only judge, I think the show would be terrific.  You don't need the other judges, but all right.  I gotta to learn to play with others."

There's no word how much NBC is paying Howard to return.  According to varying reports, he got somewhere between $15- and $20 million to judge last season.

Howard wasn't a huge draw in the ratings this summer.  That season, the show's seventh, was its second-lowest rated season overall.  So, it isn't like Howard became an invaluable part of the show.  That being said, if Howie does end up calling it quits, NBC probably wanted at least ONE returning judge for continuity.