Dr. Phil's Merit Street Media company files for bankruptcy

[Rusty Muck]

I’ve been wondering if MediaCo might unload its radio portfolio in order to concentrate on television. Most of their radio properties are rimshots or limited signals. The upcoming consolidation frenzy would be the time to do that.

Their radio portfolio is WQHT, WBLS and the former Estrella radio chain. That's it.

MediaCo is backed by Standard General, who sold off their existing television station group to Rincon Broadcasting. It's difficult to peg Standard CEO Soo Kim as a buyer or seller right now. He tried to take over Tegna Inc. a few years ago but the deal died in limbo due to then-FCC inaction. Under this climate and potential deregulation, he might be clearing the decks to make a much larger investment in media (as he did a decade ago by taking over MediaGeneral, merging it into LIN and selling it to Nexstar).

Lincoln ABC Affiliate Sold as Rincon Buys Standard Media Stations – NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting

northpine.com

 

[radiofan2023]

There is talk in the discovery that Estrella/MediaCo possibly could buy more TV Stations after restructuring debt. I guess I probably should link to where I'm getting this in the docket.
Information in my last post: https://document.epiq11.com/documen...49&projectCode=MRZ&docketNumber=499&source=DM
Information in this post: https://document.epiq11.com/documen...11&projectCode=MRZ&docketNumber=504&source=DM
View attachment 10580View attachment 10581

I wonder who would star on "Wedding in Vegas".....

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

I wonder who would star on "Wedding in Vegas".....

Dr Phil Himself!

 

[radiofan2023]

Dr Phil Himself!

I know who the pastor would be:

About - Dr. Phil International Ministries

Just another WordPress site

www.drphilministries.org

 

[powergate92]

Have a few updates on the Merit Street Bankruptcy after mostly silence since the government shutdown started. On Friday a hearing was scheduled for today for another Unsecured DIP Loan, however, on Sunday Merit Street filed to withdraw that hearing due to "ongoing discussions between the Debtor and the DIP Lender." Also, today a hearing is now scheduled for October 28 to issue an oral ruling on TBN and PBR's motion to dismiss the bankruptcy, convert it to a Chapter 7, or appoint a Chapter 11 trustee.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Dr. Phil Partners with TRNDY Social to Power Up His Show

The iconic host joins forces with the celebrity marketing agency to drive the growth of “The Dr. Phil Podcast”

variety.com

Here is more apparently there’s another party that got included to carry Dr Phil’s content it is Trndy Social. Again how does this not breach the contracts Dr Phil’s team has with Envoy and Merit.

Dr. Phil is bringing some new muscle to “The Dr. Phil Podcast.” The longtime TV host has partnered with TRNDY Social, the buzzy agency behind some of the hottest celebrity-brand deals, to expand the show’s reach. The arrangement will see TRNDY Social working alongside Phil McGraw’s team to line up strategic brand campaigns and create fresh opportunities for advertisers eager to connect with his audience.

For McGraw, the collaboration represents the latest evolution in a career that has made him a household name for close to three decades. After first appearing as a regular guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in the late 1990s, McGraw launched his own daytime program, “Dr. Phil,” in 2002. The show went on to become one of the highest-rated talk shows on television, running for over 20 seasons and earning multiple award nominations. Alongside his TV work, he’s written several No. 1 bestselling books.

 

[Megatron]

Dr. Fraud's new channel is on Charter Spectrum in Kazoo is on channel 491 his talk show with different titles one I saw was crime and other stuff also will air repeats of The Dr that was in syndication for years, I'm surprised that Dr. Oz talker isn't on the new channel.

 

[powergate92]

Dr. Fraud's new channel is on Charter Spectrum in Kazoo is on channel 491 his talk show with different titles one I saw was crime and other stuff also will air repeats of The Dr that was in syndication for years, I'm surprised that Dr. Oz talker isn't on the new channel.

Dr. Oz has his own rerun Channel now. Dr. Oz TV is broadcast on the .15 or .16 Subchannel of Bridge News stations.

 

[KilowattKat]

Meanwhile, Merit Street is still in the lineup of Samsung TV Plus channels at 2926. Weird, I thought it was completely shutdown by now. All they air is Dr. Phil: Primetime, Dr.Phil: True Crime, etc Dr.Phil shows packaged in categories.

 

[powergate92]

Meanwhile, Merit Street is still in the lineup of Samsung TV Plus channels at 2926. Weird, I thought it was completely shutdown by now. All they air is Dr. Phil: Primetime, Dr.Phil: True Crime, etc Dr.Phil shows packaged in categories.

They can't shut it down while the bankruptcy is ongoing since it still brings in money. Discovery showed Dr. Phil's plan was to shut it down 1 Month after the Bankruptcy was filed, but thanks to TBN and PBR's fighting them, that's not how it worked out. Depending on how the Judge rules in the Ruling Hearing this coming Tuesday, the Merit Street Bankruptcy could very well drag on into next year.

Also of note, Dr. Phil: Wake Up, Dr. Phil: Primetime, and Dr.Phil: True Crime were produced by and are still owned by Merit Street. They are not the syndicated Dr. Phil show that's owned by Paramount.

 

[umfan]

The Charter deal seems to be the only Distribution Envoy has. I don't think there is a website or App where the network can be otherwise viewed. Good news for his new venture that he's found a notable partner. Hopefully there will be more to come.

 

[powergate92]

The Charter deal seems to be the only Distribution Envoy has. I don't think there is a website or App where the network can be otherwise viewed. Good news for his new venture that he's found a notable partner. Hopefully there will be more to come.

Dr. Phil's EnvoyTV was also just added on Frndly TV.

Frndly TV Adds a New Channel From Dr Phil | Cord Cutters News

Frndly TV has officially integrated EnvoyTV into its robust streaming platform as of October 23, 2025. This addition marks a significant expansion for Frndly TV, a service renowned for its curated selection of wholesome, family-oriented content, by introducing a fresh array of educational and...

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[radiofan2023]

Dr. Phil's EnvoyTV was also just added on Frndly TV.

Frndly TV Adds a New Channel From Dr Phil | Cord Cutters News

Frndly TV has officially integrated EnvoyTV into its robust streaming platform as of October 23, 2025. This addition marks a significant expansion for Frndly TV, a service renowned for its curated selection of wholesome, family-oriented content, by introducing a fresh array of educational and...

cordcuttersnews.com

What are the names of the shows it has?

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

What are the names of the shows it has?

Which ones don’t have Dr. Phil in the title is going to be interesting here.

 

[powergate92]

Look like this bankruptcy will continue to go not the way Dr. Phil wanted it to go. The Judge ruled in favor of TBN and PBR at today's hearing and the bankruptcy will be converted into a Chapter 7. A spokesperson for Dr. Phil says they are look to appeal the ruling.

Judge Rules Against Dr. Phil’s Merit Street in Bankruptcy Case, Orders It Converted to Chapter 7 Liquidation

A federal judge ruled that a bankruptcy proceeding for Dr. Phil McGraw's Merit Street Media, the TV personality's failed television network venture, must convert to a Chapter 7 liquidation.

variety.com

 

[powergate92]

A more detailed article. Apparently the Judge will probably enter his order tomorrow afternoon after giving it “some thought” and has asked the parties about their potential availability for tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Phil's lawyers plan to file a request to stay the order pending appeal after the order is entered. Also, a notable quote from today's ruling.

Dr. Phil ordered to liquidate in bankruptcy case with 'no hope for rehabilitation'

A month after a weekslong hearing on the motion to dismiss or to convert Merit Street Media's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott Everett converted the case to a Chapter 7 from the

www.dallasnews.com

At this point, and not withstanding able counsel for the parties, the Chapter 11 case is a broken three-legged stool. The first leg is Mr. McGraw, who deletes unfavorable text messages he doesn’t want me to see, who vows to pay favored creditors no matter what the court does, and who vows to wipe out unfavored creditors,” Judge Everett said. “The second leg is Mr. Broadbent, who worked for Mr. McGraw’s newly created company after the petition date, without pushing back honest and direct answers to direct, simple questions. And the third leg is a creditors committee, half composed of the Ribmans who enjoy a favorable payment guarantee from either Mr. McGraw or the debtor, no matter what the court does, and who enjoy the right under the proposed plan to supervise litigation.”

 

[KilowattKat]

A more detailed article. Apparently the Judge will probably enter his order tomorrow afternoon after giving it “some thought” and has asked the parties about their potential availability for tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Phil's lawyers plan to file a request to stay the order pending appeal after the order is entered. Also, a notable quote from today's ruling.

Dr. Phil ordered to liquidate in bankruptcy case with 'no hope for rehabilitation'

A month after a weekslong hearing on the motion to dismiss or to convert Merit Street Media's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott Everett converted the case to a Chapter 7 from the

www.dallasnews.com

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV 😁. In plain speak, what does this mean eventually for Dr Phil, and does it effect his launch of Envoy?

 

[powergate92]

The Judge has entered an order "Preserving Status Quo" and preventing the transfer of any debtor property. The order states any debtor property that was transferred after 2 PM on October 28 (the time yesterday's hearing started) must be returned immediately. The order also states that the Court will delay entering an order to convert the Bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 until the Court hear the Motion to Stay pending appeal.

 

[powergate92]

We now have a timeline on the Motion to Stay Pending Appeal. Merit Street will file the motion today, TBN and PBR will have 7 days to respond, and the hearing will take place on November 13 or as soon thereafter is convenient for the court.

 

[powergate92]

Dr. Phil's company Peteski Productions has filed the Motion to Stay Pending Appeal. They also say if the Court doesn't grant a Stay then they want a temporary Administrative Stay while they seek a Stay from a District Court. In other words this bankruptcy will probably drag on into next year with Merit TV still running.