Stringer is currently chairman of the Sony Corporation of America and the first non-Japanese to head the company.
The only other non-Japanese to hold such a high position in a large Japanese firm is Carlos Ghosn at Nissan Motor.
The surprising change follows warnings that Sony's electronics division may not show any profits for the second year running and growing investor unease.
The shake-up at the top also signifies Sony's resolve to usher in radical corporate change. The move, however, is subject to shareholders' approval for which voting will take place on June 22.
Investors and shareholders had targeted outgoing chief Idei as the person responsible for Sony's lacklustre show.
The 63-year-old Sir Howard is US citizen and has 30 years of experience as a career journalist, producer and executive at CBS.
In a media statement, Stinger said: "Sony has an unparalleled legacy of boldness, innovation and leadership around the world."