Millions of U.S. listeners who used to tune into shock jock Howard Stern each morning have apparently disappeared into thin air, or make that thin airwaves.

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Stern once reigned over a national audience of 12 million before moving from traditional radio to Sirius Satellite Radio, the Los Angeles Times noted Tuesday.

But only a small fraction -- about 1 million to 2 million -- listeners followed him to pay radio and about the same number stuck with his various replacements around the country.

The numbers add up to as many as 10 million former Stern listeners missing in action, the Times said.

As for Stern's replacements, industry analysts said Adam Carolla is registering disappointing ratings on the West Coast and David Lee Roth has such a dismal showing on the East Coast, his job may be in jeopardy.

Industry experts predict when ratings figures start to roll in, the biggest winners in the Stern defection will be established local radio shows -- particularly talk radio -- and surprisingly, National Public Radio.