Dr. Phil will no longer be on the air.
Dr. Phil McGraw’s long-running daytime talk show will end after the 2022-2023 season, its 21st.
McGraw left the program after signing his most recent five-year contract with CBS Media Ventures in 2018. The syndication company is expected to offer networks the option of airing previously recorded episodes during the upcoming 2023-24 season.
“I have been blessed with over 25 fantastic years in daytime television,” McGraw said.
“With our show, we have helped tens of thousands of guests and millions of viewers with issues ranging from mental health to parenting to addiction to marriage. This has been an incredible period in my life and career, but even though I’m leaving the daylight, there is still so much I want to accomplish.”
McGraw will soon reveal information on a “strategic primetime arrangement” that would enable him to “raise his impact on television and audiences,” according to CBS Media Ventures.
The project’s debut is set for next year.
“I have serious concerns about the American family, and I’m motivated to help restore a clarity of purpose and our core values,” McGraw concluded. “I feel compelled to engage with a larger audience.”
McGraw has been focusing on producing scripted projects and hosting two podcasts, Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil and Phil in the Blanks, according to CBS officials who spoke to Variety.
McGraw’s television career took off when he frequently appeared as a guest expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990s. He debuted his show in the latter half of 2002. He has moderated over 4,000 shows with over 20,000 guests and over 5 million viewer letters.
Dr. Phil draws an average of 2 million viewers per episode, making it the second-most-watched talk show. The current number one show, according to Variety, is Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“Phil is a treasured partner and member of the CBS/King World family, and while his show may be ending after 21 years, I’m delighted to announce our connection will continue,” CBS Media Ventures President Steve LoCascio said of McGraw’s decision.
“As the driving force behind one of daytime television’s most watched conversation shows, Phil transformed the daily scene,” he added. “We intend to continue our Dr. Phil collaboration with the library for many years and welcome any future collaboration opportunities.”
Other daytime talk shows ending include The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Oz, and The Real, and McGraw’s departure coincides with that.
