Dr. Phil has announced he is returning to primetime with a brand new show, set to air on his very own network.
The talk show host, 73 – who stepped down from his iconic daytime talk show after the 21st season earlier this year – jumped to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the launch of his network Merit Street Media and show Dr. Phil Primetime.
The series is slated to begin airing next year on Monday, February 24 and viewers can tune in at 5PM (PST)/8PM (EST) – with filming taking place in Dallas in front of a live studio audience.
In a video message shared to the social media platform, he could be seen addressing his fans while his wife of 47 years, Robin McGraw, excitedly stood next to him.
‘Hey, remember me?’ the star began. ‘You know when it got to the end of the last season, I said “I’m coming back.” Well I indicated that there was some news coming and here it is.’
Big return: Dr. Phil, 73, made the big announcement that he is returning to primetime with a new show as he launches his own network called Merit Street Media
Announcement: In a video message shared to the social media platform, he could be seen talking to a camera while his wife of 47 years, Robin McGraw, excitedly stood next to him
‘I’m coming back in primetime on a whole new network that’s called Merit Street Media. It’s my new network but I got some news that I want to share with you about that.’
He continued by stating that it is ‘our network’ and added, ‘This is something that’s going to be focused entirely on what’s important to you.’
The TV personality explained that the show will be on in primetime ‘every night’ as he discusses ‘about the things that you tell me you want to focus on, things that you want to hear about.’
Dr. Phil – whose full name is Phil McGraw – then encouraged his followers to ‘write in’ ideas for topics on the show.
‘We’re not in Hollywood anymore, we’re in Texas right in the heart of the metroplex,’ he revealed to fans. His wife, Robin, also chimed in to gush that ‘we’re so excited’ and also encouraged followers to watch the show live in Dallas-Fort Worth.
To conclude the clip, Phil teased, ‘More to come, be watching cause I’m going to be dropping new pearls and showing you the new studio, the new set, everything every week or so. Stay tuned, more information coming, very excited!’
In the caption, he penned, ‘It’s Official. Dr. Phil is going Primetime. A new time. A new network. It doesn’t get bigger than this. Dr. Phil and Robin introduce us to Merit Street Media.’
In a statement, per Deadline, McGraw expressed, ‘I absolutely love talking to real people about real problems. People who aren’t just complaining but are actively looking for real solutions to better their lives.’
‘Our network’: He continued by stating that it is ‘our network’ and added that, ‘This is something that’s going to be focused entirely on what’s important to you’
‘Focus’: The TV personality explained that the show will be on in primetime ‘every night’ as he discusses ‘about the things that you tell me you want to focus on, things that you want to hear about’
New location: ‘We’re not in Hollywood anymore, we’re in Texas right in the heart of the metroplex,’ he revealed to fans
Thrilled: His wife, Robin, also chimed in to gush that ‘we’re so excited’ and also encouraged followers to watch the show live in Dallas-Fort Worth
Premiere: The series, called Dr. Phil Primetime, is slated to begin airing next year on Monday, February 24 and viewers can tune in at 5PM (PST)/8PM (EST)
‘It all begins and ends with real people dealing with these issues for real, using common sense, fact-based information, and action plans to create results.’
The host continued, ‘As always, the audience will dictate our content because they are our content, and I want my viewer’s help in building Merit Street.’
‘I continue my pledge to help individuals, couples, and families have the tough conversations, face the hard realities, and get real answers for the most positive and effective outcome.’
The announcement comes after Dr. Phil revealed that the 21st season his long-running daytime talk show would be his last – with the last episode airing in May.
At the time, CBS aimed to keep airing the show through syndication until 2024, Variety reported. In a statement, per the outlet, the star explained, ‘I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television.’
‘With this show, we have helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children.’
He added, ‘This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I’m moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.’
Teasing: Phil teased, ‘More to come, be watching cause I’m going to be dropping new pearls and showing you the new studio, the new set, everything every week or so’
Excited: In the caption, he penned, ‘It’s Official. Dr. Phil is going Primetime. A new time. A new network. It doesn’t get bigger than this. Dr. Phil and Robin introduce us to Merit Street Media’
Statement: In a statement, per Deadline, McGraw expressed, ‘I absolutely love talking to real people about real problems. People who aren’t just complaining but are actively looking for real solutions to better their lives’
McGraw also hinted that he planned to start a ‘strategic primetime partnership’ to help him ‘increase his impact on television and viewers.’
The star stated, ‘I am compelled to engage with a broader audience because I have grave concerns for the American family, and I am determined to help restore a clarity of purpose as well as our core values.’
Dr. Phil was created by both McGraw and Oprah Winfrey, with the first episode airing back in September 2002. He notably made appearances on Oprah’s own talk show before his own series was launched.
Throughout the 21 seasons that aired on CBS, Dr. Phil received a whopping total of 31 Daytime Emmy Award nominations.
Successful: Throughout the 21 seasons that aired on CBS, Dr. Phil received a whopping total of 31 Daytime Emmy Award nominations
Milestone: In February 2020, McGraw received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and opened up about working on the show, according to Variety; seen with Robin, son Jay, his wife Erica and their two children
In February 2020, McGraw received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and opened up about working on the show, according to Variety.
‘People see me engaged in very serious work, dealing with peoples’ lives and families and futures, and while theres a lot of humor on Dr. Phil as well – we have fun and cut up a lot…’
He added, ‘I think it’s really important for people to see that I don’t take myself as seriously as everybody else does. I take the work I do seriously, but you need to laugh at yourself.’
Phil has been married to wife, Robin McGraw, since 1976 and the couple share two sons Jay, 44, and also Jordan, 37.
