Broadcasting & Cable
Post-Newsweek’s KPRC Houston has pulled CBS Television Distribution’s “Dr. Phil” off the air in its 3 p.m. timeslot, replacing the show with Sony’s “Dr. Oz.”
KPRC decided to remove “Dr. Phil” from its schedule due to disappointment with sliding ratings and disagreement over the show’s content, said Post-Newsweek President Alan Frank. The station is continuing to pay the show’s license fees, although it is not airing the show’s national commercials, which are sold by CTD and provide additional income to the syndicator.
“It’s out of desperation that I did this,” said Frank, who said he’s personally met with show star and executive producer Dr. Phil McGraw to try and get his concerns resolved. “I did everything but stand on my head to get [CBS’] attention over the years.”
In response, CTD says it’s puzzled by KPRC’s actions: “The facts are that KRPC has a contractual obligation to pay for the show through 2011,” said a company spokesman. More…