Movies

Dr. Phil’s TV network files for bankruptcy and sues distribution partner

BBG News

Last year’s launch of Merit Street Media, a television network spearheaded by talk show host Phil McGraw, has taken legal action against its distributor, Trinity Broadcasting Network, while also seeking protection from creditors due to bankruptcy filings.

On Thursday, I found myself filing a lawsuit in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, expressing my dismay over the fact that the Fort Worth-based Christian media firm Trinity, or TBN, allegedly fell short in fulfilling their obligations towards my company, McGraw’s. Specifically, they failed to deliver studio space, secure TV stations, and pay TV distributors to carry Merit, a key aspect of our collaboration. I truly hope this situation can be resolved promptly for the betterment of both parties involved.

In 2023, Dr. Phil McGraw, known for hosting the popular talk show “Dr. Phil” for 21 years, entered into a partnership with Trinity. This agreement allowed Trinity to broadcast Merit on their television stations nationwide and also offer production support.

However, as per the lawsuit, it’s stated that McGraw is personally financing the ailing business, to the tune of $25 million over a period of six months. In June, the company was forced to let go of 40 employees and also canceled its TV deal with Professional Bull Riders due to inability to pay the rights fee.

Merit Street, a company located in Fort Worth like TBN, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing indicates that the company’s debts range between $100 million and $500 million, while the estimated value of its assets also falls within this range. Both the liabilities and assets are listed in a document submitted in Texas.

TBN did not respond to a request for comment on the suit.

On Merit Street, you can find “Dr. Phil Primetime,” a show where the host provides conservative political insights alongside guest discussions. However, due to the staff reductions announced in June, the program temporarily paused its broadcast during the summer break.

Recently, McGraw garnered notice as the series incorporated a hidden-camera from ICE during immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles.

As an ardent fan, I’d like to share a fascinating journey. Once a working psychologist, McGraw transitioned into a renowned self-help guide, gaining prominence when Oprah Winfrey recruited him to help her prepare for a libel suit filed by the Texas Beef Group in 1996. Stepping away from his daytime talk show, he has since evolved into a political commentator, expressing support for President Trump.

Hollywood Inc.

Inside CBS News, the widespread frustration about a $16-million settlement perceived as a concession to Trump was softened by a stark realization: Things could have turned out even more unfavorably.

In addition, Merit airs a nightly news broadcast as well as a true crime series hosted by seasoned legal analyst Nancy Grace.

The legal action asserts that Merit’s business activities were negatively impacted due to the technically inept services provided by TBN, which they referred to as “unintentionally chaotic.” During live shows with a studio audience, teleprompters and monitors reportedly went dark.

As a passionate cinephile, I found myself working with rather basic video editing tools, TBN’s choice of software being more suited for amateurs. To add to the challenge, the Merit studio’s poor cellphone reception left us without the ability to use our phones during production. This predicament was further detailed in the lawsuit that followed.

In collaboration with TBN, McGraw’s firm, Peteski Productions, debuted Merit – a platform dedicated to broadcasting spiritual content, reaching their network of TV stations and affiliates nationwide.

In their capacity as major stakeholder, TBN was expected to handle all administrative and production duties related to Merit. Moreover, they were bound by agreement to bear the expenses associated with broadcasting Merit’s content across their channels and pay-TV platforms, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states that TBN didn’t deliver the promised service, which required Merit Street to sign separate contracts to air the network on TV and cable/satellite platforms at a total expense of $96 million. TBN not meeting their financial obligations resulted in several TV stations discontinuing Merit Street programming.

The suit additionally alleges that TBN did not fulfill their pledged marketing and promotional duties, instead offering limited social media promotion.

In July 2024, TBN failed to make a $5-million payment to Merit, causing them to alter their agreement’s terms, according to the lawsuit. As a result, Merit now owns 70% of the partnership, with TBN holding 30%. However, the lawsuit alleges that TBN continues to breach its contractual duties.

According to the suit, TBN didn’t provide funding for Merit, so McGraw and Peteski had to cover a sum of $25.4 million to keep the network running from December 2024 to May 2025 instead.

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2025-07-04 00:01

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