Just when you thought the drama surrounding Dr. Phil McGraw’s media ventures couldn’t get any more intense, here’s a twist: while his previous company is still entangled in a bitter legal battle, he’s already making waves with his next big move. Yes, you read that right. Despite the ongoing bankruptcy trial over Merit Street Media, Dr. Phil has secured a major distribution deal for his latest project, Envoy TV, with Charter Communications. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a bold comeback or a risky gamble? Let’s dive in.
Envoy TV, the cable and streaming platform Dr. Phil unveiled in July—just weeks after Merit Street Media filed for bankruptcy and sued its distributor, Trinity Broadcasting—has inked a deal that will bring its content to millions of Charter’s video customers. This includes major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas-Fort Worth, the latter being Dr. Phil’s home turf. In a statement, McGraw expressed his excitement, saying, ‘I’m thrilled to join forces with Charter, the nation’s leading cable and broadband provider, to launch Envoy TV. Their commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with our ‘particivision’ approach, which aims to entertain, inform, and engage audiences like never before.’
But what exactly is ‘particivision’? It’s a key feature of the Envoy TV app that allows users to upload their own content, some of which may even make it to the network’s national feed. Think of it as a blend of traditional TV and user-generated content—a concept that’s both intriguing and, for some, a bit polarizing. Is this the future of television, or a recipe for chaos? We’ll let you decide.
Like Merit Street, Envoy TV will feature a mix of Dr. Phil-hosted shows, including originals and reruns from his iconic syndicated talk show, alongside contributions from Steve Harvey. With Charter’s 12.6 million video subscribers as of the second quarter, this deal could give Envoy TV a significant head start—assuming, of course, it avoids the pitfalls that plagued Merit Street.
And this is the part most people miss: while Dr. Phil is forging ahead with Envoy TV, the legal battle over Merit Street’s bankruptcy continues in a Dallas court. Trinity Broadcasting, which had agreed to distribute Merit TV starting in 2024, countersued after the bankruptcy filing, claiming McGraw failed to meet viewership and ad revenue targets. Merit Street reportedly averaged fewer than 100,000 daily viewers—a stark contrast to Dr. Phil’s previous success. During the trial, McGraw defended his decisions, stating he ‘capitulated’ to the Chapter 11 filing and believed Trinity would have seen a substantial return on investment had they stayed the course.
Tom Montemagno, Charter’s executive VP of programming acquisition, praised the partnership, calling Dr. Phil ‘a leading and iconic voice in television’ and highlighting how Envoy TV will expand entertainment options for Spectrum customers. But the question remains: can Dr. Phil replicate his past success, or is he biting off more than he can chew? What do you think—is Envoy TV destined for greatness, or is it doomed to repeat the mistakes of Merit Street? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
