Dr. Phil McGraw’s long-running daytime talk show will end after its 21st season in 2022-2023.
McGraw is leaving the show after signing a five-year deal with CBS Media Ventures in 2018. During the upcoming 2023-24 season, the syndication company is expected to offer networks the option of airing previously recorded episodes.
“I have been blessed with over 25 fantastic years in daytime television,” McGraw said.
“We’ve helped tens of thousands of guests and millions of viewers with issues ranging from mental health to parenting to addiction to marriage through our show. This has been an incredible time in my life and career, but even as I leave 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 will make its debut next year.
“I’m concerned about the American family, and I’m motivated to help restore a sense of purpose and our core values,” McGraw concluded. “I feel compelled to reach out to a larger audience.”
According to CBS officials who spoke with Variety, McGraw has been focusing on producing scripted projects and hosting two podcasts, Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil and Phil in the Blanks.
McGraw’s television career took off in the 1990s, when he frequently appeared as a guest expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the latter half of 2002, he debuted his show. He has moderated over 4,000 shows, hosted over 20,000 guests, and received over 5 million viewer letters.
Dr. Phil continues to attract an average of 2 million viewers per episode, making it the second-most-watched talk show in the country. According to Variety, the current number one show is Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“While Phil’s 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.
“Phil transformed the daily scene as the driving force behind one of daytime television’s most-watched conversation shows,” he added. We intend to continue working with the library on Dr. Phil for many years and welcome any future collaboration opportunities.”
The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Oz, and The Real are among the other daytime talk shows ending, and McGraw’s departure coincides with that.
