Dr. Phil McGraw, erstwhile psychologist and long-time host of "Dr. Phil," announces an end to his daytime talk show after a two-decade run. He expresses gratitude for helping thousands of guests tackle diverse issues from addiction to mental health to child rearing, and shares dreams of doing much more than simply hosting a daily talk show. Nevertheless, McGraw gives no explicit details about his plans, implying retirement may not be on the horizon.
CBS Media Ventures, the show's broadcaster, plans to focus on primetime programming and potentially partner with strategic primetime collaborators, with Dr. Phil-centric content set to debut in early 2024. Repeats of classic episodes will be available for purchase starting in 2023 and continue into the future, showcasing standout moments, summaries, and guest updates.
Steve LoCascio, President of CBS Media Ventures, praises Dr. Phil as an invaluable partner and cherished member of their CBS/King World family, though expressed excitement at continued collaboration. The show's premiere in 2002 garnered immediate success and has remained consistently popular in the ratings. Despite controversy surrounding Dr. Phil's 2020 comments on the COVID-19 pandemic, his media impact remains unwavering.
Dr. Phil's post-talk show plans include launching Merit TV, a multiplatform network that will serve as the exclusive home for all 21 seasons of "Dr. Phil." Merit TV will also feature other programming such as news discussions, true crime, and sports shows. Select episodes of "Dr. Phil" will be revamped with new updates and original content, building upon the brand's international recognition.
Merit Street Media has also announced plans to launch a Canadian version of the channel, Merit TV Canada, in partnership with MCA Media Group. Dr. Phil has also formed collaborative partnerships with entities like the Academy of Country Music (ACM) for country music-oriented programming and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) for their events.
Despite financial challenges and staff layoffs, Dr. Phil remains committed to his media ventures and continues to explore new avenues to capture audiences and secure investors.
[1] "Merit Town Holds Virtual Meeting with Shareholders," Variety, August 26, 2022,
[2] "Merit Town Media hires new CFO," Variety, August 11, 2022,
[3] "Merit Town Media CEO Dr. Phil McGraw Fired After Leadership Dispute," Forbes, May 30, 2022,
