A Christian broadcasting network is alleging that Dr. Phil McGraw took millions of dollars for nothing. Photo Credit: Getty Image via The Daily Beast
Dr. Phil McGraw and his production company, Peteski Productions, are facing a $500 million lawsuit from the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which accuses him of fraud and breaching a contract for a new post-CBS talk show. TBN claims it paid $20 million upfront and agreed to $50 million annually for 10 years, expecting 160 new 90-minute episodes, and even built a state-of-the-art production facility for the show. According to the network, the episodes were never delivered, and Dr. Phil reneged on a promise to grant TBN rights to his show’s library, later demanding $100 million for partial ownership. Dr. Phil’s team disputes the allegations, stating that 214 new episodes aired on Merit TV, a joint venture with TBN (TBN owns 70%, McGraw’s company 30%). The situation is further complicated by Merit Street Media’s July 2025 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and its own breach-of-contract claim against TBN, leaving the legal battle ongoing with both sides offering conflicting accounts.
Reference: https://www.thedailybeast.com/dr-phil-accused-of-duping-christian-network-into-paying-him-20-million-in-bombshell-new-lawsuit/