Dr. Phil Primetime
| Dr. Phil Primetime | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Talk show |
| Presented by | Phil McGraw |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Camera setup | Multiple |
| Running time | 42 minutes |
| Production company | Merit Street Media |
| Original release | |
| Network |
|
| Release | April 2, 2024 – July 2, 2025 |
| Related | |
| Dr. Phil (talk show) | |
Dr. Phil Primetime is an American prime time talk show hosted by Phil McGraw, airing on Merit Street, from Fort Worth, Texas.[1] The show premiered on April 2, 2024, and was produced by McGraw's own production company, Merit Street Media.[2] Its accompanying streaming service Merit+ also carries the show.
On July 2, 2025, Merit Street Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and suspended first-run programming,[3][4] with the last first-run episode of the show airing that day.
History
On November 6, 2023, four months after the end of his daytime show, McGraw announced plans for a new prime time show on his own television network, Merit Street.[5] Dozens of longtime Dr. Phil staffers were reported to have relocated from Los Angeles to Texas to continue working alongside McGraw.[6]
The first episode aired on April 2, 2024, and featured a debate between Hamas defector Mosab Yousef and two pro-Palestinian college students.[7] On June 7, 2024, McGraw drew criticism for interviewing then-former U.S. president and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump and agreeing that his hush money trial was unfair, describing it as "prosecutorial abuse".[8][9][10]
Format
Most episodes consist of McGraw talking to guests about their personal issues or general hot-button issues, in front of a live studio audience.[11][12] In contrast to his previous Dr. Phil show, the program features more of McGraw's personal views on education, family values and immigration, a number of which have been described as conservative talking points.[13][14]
A number of episodes featured interviews of political figures such as Mayor of New York City Eric Adams,[15] Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu,[16] then-presidential canadidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr..[17] and Canadian commentator Jordan Peterson.[18] In June 2025, McGraw was embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during raids by the agency (and resulting protests) in Los Angeles for segments on the program, which featured "exclusive" appearances and interviews with "Border Czar" Tom Homan.[19]
References
- ^ Gravley, Carly May (April 2, 2024). "Dr. Phil Launches New Cable Channel With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in Fort Worth". Dallas Observer.
- ^ Schwartz, Ryan (March 6, 2024). "Dr. Phil Returns! 'New' Show to Air on Phil McGraw's Own Cable Network — Get Premiere Date". Yahoo Finance Canada.
- ^ Johnson, Jill; Goldsmith, Ted (July 2, 2025). "Dr. Phil's Merit Street Media JV Files For Bankruptcy, Sues Partner Trinity Broadcasting For Breach Of Contract". Deadline. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Miller, Hannah (July 2, 2025). "Dr. Phil's Media Company Files for Bankruptcy Amid Dispute". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Julia (November 6, 2023). "Dr. Phil Is Back: Here's When the Oprah-Launched TV Star's Show Will Return on His Own Network". People.com.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 6, 2023). "Phil McGraw To Launch Cable Network Anchored By 'Dr. Phil Primetime' Nightly Show". Deadline.
- ^ Isaac, David (April 5, 2024). "Dr. Phil, 'Green Prince' take on anti-Israel college activists in Michigan". Jewish News Syndicate.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (June 7, 2024). "Dr. Phil's Description Of Donald Trump During Their Interview Has Folks Thinking... What?!?". HuffPost.
- ^ Johnson, Ted (June 7, 2024). "Dr. Phil Bolsters Donald Trump's Attacks On Felony Conviction, But Claims He Made "Headway" In Tempering Former President's Vows For Revenge". Deadline.
- ^ Goldsberry, Jenny (June 6, 2024). "Trump compares his court cases to Oprah's and says it's an 'honor' to have Dr. Phil's support". Colorado Springs Gazette.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (November 7, 2023). "Dr. Phil is already returning to TV with new primetime show — and cable network". New York Post.
- ^ Murray, Lance (November 8, 2023). "Dr. Phil Is Launching a New Primetime Network Out of Studios in Fort Worth". New York Post.
- ^ Bowe, Jillian (November 6, 2023). "Dr. Phil Is Launching a Cable Network". Daytime Confidential.
- ^ Santana, Steven (November 9, 2023). "Oprah's TV psychologist Dr. Phil starts new network in North Texas". Chron.
- ^ "NYC Mayor Adams Speaks". www.meritstreetmedia.com. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Suter, Tara (May 10, 2024). "Netanyahu says there were 'failures' by Israel on Oct. 7 in Dr. Phil interview". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ "RFK Jr denies being 'lunatic' anti-vaxxer and compares Biden to a '5-year-old'". The Independent. June 28, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "Dr. Jordan Peterson: We Who Wrestle with God". www.meritstreetmedia.com. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (June 9, 2025). "Dr. Phil was embedded with ICE during controversial Los Angeles immigration raids". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2025.