CBS in America is stating that Phil McGraw made his own decision to end Dr. Phil after 21 years on air.
Variety is reporting that the series will finish at the end of the 2022 / 2023 broadcast season in America, which is traditionally at the end of May.
The show is still doing well in the US market with over 2 million viewers per episode, making it the second highest rating talk show. As an example of ratings here in Australia, yesterday Dr. Phil had an average audience of 75 000 across the 5 mainland cap cities. An encore of Australian Idol had 149 000 on Seven and an encore of Married at First Sight on Nine had 199 000.
“I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television,” McGraw said in a statement. “With this show, we have helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children. This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I’m moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.”
CBS plans to replace Dr. Phil with…. Dr. Phil. The network is planning on dressing up repeats with new wraparound material filmed by McGraw, including updates on the fate of specific guests and new developments in counseling and therapy.
10 traditionally aired Dr. Phil at midday but with 10 News Midday now in the slot, Dr. Phil has been pushed to 1pm.
10 had been airing repeats this week but all new episodes return Monday 6th February.
Episodes screening next week are from the end of October in the US rollout. This means 10 is around 3 months behind, so expect the final episode to air here around August / September this year.
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