Conflicting Stories Emerge from Chaos at Dr. Phil’s Media Network

Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP

The chaotic situation at the network helmed by Phil McGraw , popularly known as “Dr. Phil,” continued this week as staffers were reeling from layoffs and hearing 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, and touted 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 how “[m]any dedicated ‘Dr. Phil’ team members have made the transition with me, relocating their families to Texas, so we can continue working together.”

Last Friday, Mediaite exclusively learned 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 , told Mediaite 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 continued, “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 confirm his offer of employment, Taylor shared a letter from Merit Street Media COO Joel Cheatwood with Mediaite, titled “Employment Opportunity at Merit Street Media, Inc.” and dated July 16, 2024.

“We are very pleased to offer you the position of Video Editor for Dr. Phil Primetime with Merit Street Media Media, Inc. effective August 6, 2024, or upon your relocation to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, whichever occurs later (‘Start Date’),” the offer letter began.

The letter further detailed Taylor’s full-time status, salary, benefits, plus up to $5,000 in covered relocation fees. It concluded, “Merit Street Media is very excited about you assuming the role of Video Editor, and we look forward to your positive response to this offer letter.”

Taylor signed and returned the document.

However, on August 1st, Taylor was gobsmacked when the job offer was rescinded.

Taylor posted on his LinkedIn page about the Merit Street Media job fiasco, complaining that the company “took full advantage of me and my time” by revoking the job “three days before I started,” and “[f]or no reason.” This post led to him receiving a phone call from a network executive requesting he take it down. Then, he was sent a confidentiality agreement dated on August 12, 2024.

The video editor 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,” Taylor said.

A Merit Street Media spokesperson told Mediaite in a written statement on Monday that Dr. Phil Primetime starts filming on Tuesday, as well as acknowledging the round of network layoffs last week and confirming Mediaite’s reporting.

“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,” a Merit Street spokesperson explained.

Mediaite reached out to Merit Street Media for a response to Taylor’s comments and seeking clarification about whether or not the show was indeed going on hiatus or not, but has not yet received a reply.