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Dr. Phil’s Media Firm Fired Most Employees, Ended Production When It Filed Bankruptcy 

Dr. Phil McGraw

Photographer: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

Merit Street Media, the television startup founded by celebrity psychologist Phil McGraw, laid off all but six of its employees the day it filed bankruptcy, saying it can’t make any new content after being forced out of business by its broadcasting partner.

A dispute with religious broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network has blocked the company from accessing much of its core audience, which watches using various streaming services, on cable television and through traditional broadcast stations, Merit Street said in a court filing.