Does Dr. Phil still have a show? “Anti-woke” network folds after one year

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Dr. Phil won’t be back soon… It’s been just over a year since Dr. Phil started his “anti-woke” network, Merit TV, and unfortunately, it hasn’t done well. In fact, the company filed for bankruptcy on July 2, 2025.

There’s been an observable increase in what some call “counter-progressive” entertainment, which is somewhat vague yet typically presents itself as a response to traditional media and is frequently fueled by discourse surrounding cultural conflicts.

Among the notable entities in this field is The Daily Wire, a company that initially focused on political discourse but has since branched out into film and television production. This expansion includes the creation of the documentary “Am I Racist?” and even their own take on Snow White, which was inspired by Disney’s live-action adaptation (although their version was put on hold).

In an attempt to challenge what he perceives as a cultural onslaught often referred to as “wokeness,” Dr. Phil, whose real name is Phil McGraw, established Merit Street Media in April 2024. However, recent developments show that the company is now filing for bankruptcy.

Does Dr. Phil still have a show? 

I’m sadly not able to catch Dr. Phil on TV right now, as his popular syndicated talk show ended its 21-season run in 2023. Despite the exciting launch of Dr. Phil Primetime in 2024, it appears that production has been temporarily halted due to the network’s financial struggles. Here’s hoping he’ll be back on our screens soon!

As reported by Chron, “The flagship nightly show of Dr. Phil, known as Dr. Phil Primetime, was put on an indefinite break just prior to the bankruptcy filing.

I’m still at it, creating content for my YouTube channel. My upcoming video, dropping on the 4th of July, delves into themes of freedom, family, and the essence of independence. Meanwhile, reruns of my old daytime show keep popping up on TV and various online platforms.

Regarding Merit TV, its future seems uncertain. Launched in April 2024 as both a digital multicast network and streaming service by Merit Street Media – a Texas-based company formed from the partnership between Trinity Broadcasting Network and Dr. Phil’s Peteski Productions.

During that moment, the talk show host stated, “Merit Street Media aims to serve as a source of information and tactics to safeguard America and its households, which are currently facing an unprecedented cultural ‘awakening’ attack.

I deeply cherish this nation, and I firmly believe that families form the foundation of our community. Join me in standing resiliently united as we strive to safeguard the essence and mental well-being of America, with a focus on returning important matters to their proper course.

This programming encompasses news debates, talk programs, and true crime series such as Morning Program on Merit Street, The Daily News on Merit Street, Crime Chronicles with Nancy Grace, and the prime-time version of Dr. Phil’s popular talk show.

Well, let me share some personal news from my gaming world. On July 2nd, our beloved game developer, Merit Street Media, found themselves in a tight spot. They’ve had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. From what I gather, their financial situation seems delicate, with assets and debts ranging anywhere between $100 million and $500 million. In simpler terms, it looks like they might owe almost as much as they own. This is certainly a tough time for the gaming community, including me, who are eagerly awaiting their next big release.

The filing was made recently, following the company’s decision to dismiss 40 staff members, which was the second wave of layoffs since August 2024, when a significant number of positions were eliminated.

Dr. Phil’s network is suing Christian partner

In addition to declaring bankruptcy, Merit Street Media has also initiated a legal action against the Christian-aligned Trinity Broadcasting Network. They are alleging that TBN breached an essential agreement by failing to broadcast the channel across the country, which is why the network’s ratings have not improved as expected. (In essence, they claim that TBN’s actions led to the channel’s poor performance.)

A representative from Merit Street Media stated to Deadline that they are filing a lawsuit against Trinity Broadcasting Network because they allegedly failed to deliver on crucial promises regarding nationwide broadcasting and other essential foundations, which are vital for the network’s ongoing prosperity and sustainability.

The suit is involved in a corporate reshuffling process, instigated by MSM as well. Given that these matters are still being resolved, we’ll have to stay tuned to find out if the lawsuit prevails. In the meantime, people online seem to be experiencing a bit of enjoyment from watching this situation unfold, which is often referred to as schadenfreude.

Dr. Phil’s collapse sparks loud applause

The news was posted on Reddit, garnering numerous comments, including one saying, “I’m happy it went under before I had ever heard of it. Discovering its demise was the ideal way for me to learn about it.

The first person pointed out that the opposition often expresses their views through podcasts and vlogs,” said the second, to which the third responded, “Not at all. The real earnings are found in seeking political office, like running for a cabinet post.

A fourth individual added, “Nowadays, people seem less interested in impartial news; instead, they prefer channels that validate their perspectives, suggesting they’re always correct and that others are to blame for their issues.

It was suggested by someone else that Dr. Phil might have lost a significant fortune, possibly enough to be devastating for him personally. However, another person responded saying that he hasn’t (lost the money). Despite this, it’s important to note that recent estimates place Dr. Phil’s net worth at about $450 million in 2025. This could potentially decrease due to the closure of Merit Street Media.

A Reddit user mentioned knowing an individual who was dismissed from the company not once, but twice. This person even moved halfway across the country for the job, only to be let go by them on two separate occasions.

In this case, they didn’t stand out as an exception. It’s hardly surprising that they drew in some less intelligent individuals… When they returned as a contractor, they relocated from New York to Texas without any other financial support. I strongly suspect they didn’t have much of a say in the decision.

If you’re seeking some fresh TV shows to enjoy, explore the upcoming series hitting the streaming platforms this month. Also, take a peek at our 2025 TV program schedule to see what exciting content is in store for the future.

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2025-07-04 18:19