Conflicting Stories Arise Amid Chaos at Dr. Phil’s Media Network

The chaotic situation at the network helmed by Phil McGraw, popularly known as “Dr. Phil,” continued this week as staffers grappled with layoffs and heard conflicting stories about Merit Street Media’s future.

McGraw announced in February that his new show, Dr. Phil Primetime, would premiere on his new network. He highlighted how Merit Street Media was “headquartered in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where a brand-new, state-of-the-art broadcast center, spanning over 5 acres, is near completion,” and applauded the many dedicated team members who relocated to Texas to continue working with him.

Last Friday, it was revealed that Merit Street Media had initiated a batch of layoffs, resulting in at least 15 staffers being let go without reason or severance.

On Monday, Carson Taylor, a new hire who was planning to relocate from Los Angeles to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for Merit Street Media with a start date of August 6th as a video editor for Dr. Phil Primetime, shared he was let go before he even began his job. Taylor was informed on August 1st that he no longer had a position due to the show going on “indefinite hiatus.”

“An exec from the network said they couldn’t start me on my start date because the show was going on an indefinite hiatus, and they didn’t know when it would be back,” said Taylor. “They said ‘don’t wait, look for new work’ because they couldn’t guarantee I had a job later on.”

He added, “From my point of view, it’s extremely disturbing and disappointing to see such television industry titans with years of experience run a production company like such amateurs, especially with Dr. Phil’s mental health background. To uproot people from other states, offer them a relocation package and their dream salary and then turn around and have nothing.”

To verify his offer of employment, Taylor shared a letter from Merit Street Media COO Joel Cheatwood, dated July 16, 2024. It confirmed his role as Video Editor for Dr. Phil Primetime, with details about his full-time status, salary, benefits, and up to $5,000 in covered relocation fees. The letter expressed excitement about him joining the company.

Taylor signed and returned the document, but on August 1st, he learned the job offer was rescinded.

Taylor voiced his frustration on LinkedIn, stating the company “took full advantage of me and my time” by revoking the job “three days before I started,” and “for no reason.” His post led to a phone call from a network executive requesting he take it down. Subsequently, he was sent a confidentiality agreement dated on August 12, 2024.

Taylor refused to sign the confidentiality agreement. “When they sent the confidentiality agreement, I knew they messed up on their end. It was clear there was no job and no real reason why I should sign it,” he said.

A Merit Street Media spokesperson responded with a written statement, asserting that Dr. Phil Primetime starts filming on Tuesday and acknowledged last week’s network layoffs, confirming earlier reports.

“Following the brief summer hiatus of Dr. Phil Primetime, Merit Street implemented ongoing consolidations of departments and roles in efforts to achieve efficiencies at the highest level, which unfortunately resulted in some layoffs. We are confidently getting better at what we do. Merit will continue striving to create more synergy between all divisions including staff expanding their roles within our live news, original programming, and sports and music endeavors,” the spokesperson stated.

Mediaite reached out to Merit Street Media for further comments on Taylor’s situation and clarification about the show’s status but has yet to receive a reply.