There will be no more Dr. Phil.
After its current 2022–2023 season, its 21st, Dr. Phil McGraw’s long-running daytime talk program will end.
After signing his most current contract with CBS Media Ventures in 2018, which was valid for five years, McGraw is leaving the program. For the upcoming 2023–24 season, the syndication firm is anticipated to offer networks the option to air previously recorded episodes.
On a statement to PEOPLE, McGraw stated, “I have been blessed with over 25 fantastic years in daytime television. “We have assisted tens of thousands of guests and millions of viewers with our show in areas ranging from mental health to parenting to addiction to marriage. This has been an amazing era in my life and career, but even though I’m leaving the daylight, there is still so much I want to do.”
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 anticipated for next year.
McGraw concluded by saying, “I have serious worries about the American family and I’m motivated to assist restore a clarity of purpose as well as our core values. I’m compelled to interact with a wider audience.”
According to CBS officials who spoke to Variety, McGraw has been concentrating on producing scripted projects and hosting two podcasts called Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil and Phil in the Blanks.
When McGraw frequently appeared as a guest expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990s, his career in television really took off. In the latter half of 2002, he debuted his own show. He has moderated approximately 4,000 shows with 20,000 guests and 5 million viewer letters.
Every episode of Dr. Phil continues to draw an average of 2 million viewers, making it the second-highest watched talk program. Variety lists Live with Kelly and Ryan as the current top show.
“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 is not,” CBS Media Ventures President Steve LoCascio said in a statement regarding McGraw’s choice.
Added he, “As the driving force behind one of the most watched conversation shows on daytime television, Phil transformed the daily scene. We intend to continue our Dr. Phil partnership with the library for many years to come and look forward to any future collaboration opportunities.”
The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Oz, and The Real are among the other daytime talk shows that are ending, and McGraw’s departure coincides with that.
