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Dr. Phil once again refusing accountability. Merit Street Media is filing for bankruptcy... and is suing TBN for "breach of contract". https://deadline.com/2025/07/dr-phils-merit-street-media-jv-files-for-bankruptcy-sues-partner-trinity-broadcasting-for-breach-of-contract-1236448188/

For what it's worth most of this goes back to the Crouch family feud, in which Matthew and his wife Laurie (and by extension, their sons Caylan and Cody) prevailed over Paul Jr. and his children for succession rights. P.J. and his son Brandon created JCTV, renamed JUCE after P.J. and his offspring were banished from TBN. Smile (of a Child) and the Church Channel were Jan Crouch's creations. As soon as she died, Matt and Laurie changed course on both. TBN stayed away from wading into political waters when Paul Sr. and Jan were running the show. Of course, that all changed when Matt and Laurie gained full control once both his parents were gone. I see that as part natural evolution, and part Matt and Laurie seeking greater influence in those circles.

I posted this on Broadcast Plaza’s A Block, but might as well highlight it here too. There has been so much turnover for TBN’s diginets in the past decade, to sum up: * TBN Salsa (their attempt to target English-speaking Latinos/Hispanics) launched and failed within a couple of years; * The Church Channel became Hillsong Channel and then, in the wake of Hillsong’s scandals, became TBN Inspire * Smile and Juce TV (formerly JCTV) were merged into a Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite-style scheduling format OTA (Smile during the day and Juce at night for 12 hours each, with their 24-hour feeds relegated to the TBNi streaming offering) for a couple years after Salsa launched, then re-separated back into two 24-hour feeds when Salsa was dropped; * Juce (and its teen/YA-targeted format) was repurposed as a YouTube channel, while the OTA network got replaced by the family movie channel Positiv (becoming its first commercial diginet venture); * Merit TV launched under a distribution partnership, hit financial issues within its first year and is now likely on the verge of being kicked off of TBN’s diginet suite; * Enlace USA was shuffled off to streaming (bc of Merit’s launch); * Smile (one of the few OTA kids’ channels) folded in January and had its OTA slot replaced by infomercial service OnTV4U.

An absolute fucking shakedown, point-blank period. Even if the cult leader of MAGA is only getting a fraction of what was originally filed, it's still criminal that Paramount/CBS has to give him anything.

There's two EWTNs: the first is the channel that shows masses for shut-ins and daily rosaries (along with Bishop Sheen reruns). The second is the news service, which is to the right of OAN and Newsmax. Raymond Arroyo is their lead "anchor" when he's not chumming up with Laura Ingraham, a friendship that goes back to her conversation to the Church 20 years ago. The Vatican is in a tough spot, it's not like there's enough of an audience to justify the existence of a competing network with a more liberal ideology. It always had been a euphemism for the right-wing. CBN, TBN, PTL and even individual televangelists have had those beliefs for practically forever.

In Dr. Phil's filing, he claimed TBN agreed to give the must-carry rights on their O&O stations over to Merit Street (which would have been crazy to do) and then renenged, which they characterized as leaving the operation with "nowhere to send its broadcast signal and nowhere to air its programming". https://deadline.com/2025/07/dr-phil-merit-street-media-jv-bankruptcy-sues-trinity-1236448188/

Here's a full breakdown; Mountain Broadcasting (which owns Merit's NY flagship, WMBC) is the second largest creditor, followed by KVMD, its LA station, and Olympusat, along with DirecTV and Nexstar and the COPS producers, among others. So it's more than TBN, but every one of his affiliates has said 'we're done', and I'm sure TBN expected a basic network, not for him to throw them into multiple culture wars. I don't really have sympathy for them because they knew they are literally competing with his own reruns, but those other groups are not going to be made whole.

*) I'm doing it in terms of irony and oxymoron. +) let's hope; it'll be a Merry Christmas miracle.

Looks like TBN is cutting ties with this clown and the waste of bandwidth that is Merit Street. I'm sure that some third-rate media platform will save (don't call him Dr.) Phil McGraw's vanity project, otherwise it could be on its last legs. If he loses the TBN distribution, I give Merit Street before New Year's until its forced to shut down operations, again unless some desperate platform needing content takes mercy on this shitshow of a channel.

Pedro Rivera officially promoted to weekday mornings

Shameful.

As we enter July, it’s time to sunset the 2024-25 thread and move to the 2025-26 thread. There is a new game show, Scrambled Up, with host Michael Yo coming this fall.

Then air it on cable... oh right... Cable is dying as we speak. NEXSTAR?! I mean, I know thay Nexstar might not be the best Broadcasting company/corporation but they don't need to be involved in any of that. Also, I am absolutely sure that the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) wanted a basic network airing Dr. Phil programming, not any of the stuff that is being shown that just sends them (TBN) into culture wars. It should also be reminded that even the Tri-State Christian Television Network (TCT) isn't safe. (From CNN. —> https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/media/dr-phil-cable-network-bankruptcy)

I'll bet you that this and the ABC fines will be overturned on appeal after Trump is deposed (it may come to that when his term is up and he doesn't leave) because this is blackmail plain and simple.

Paley, Murrow, Cronkite, Hewitt, Wallace, Bradley all surely rolling in their graves…

Lol these media companies are literally paying him for frivolous claims and tantrums. Absolute jokes.

The children's programming violations involved Hot Wheels ads airing during Team Hot Wheels on their defunct KidsClick block, so you're not likely to see something like that ever again, on any OTA station.

As saddening as this is, it's also exciting. He was going to get screwed over by Allen one way or another. I wish him the best. I've been watching his live stream and he seems so much happier as well.

Meanwhile, another slap on the wrist for the latest group of closed captioning, license renewal and children's program reporting violations (they should really fix that; you're not seeing that with Gray, Scripps or even Nexstar); $500,000, which compared to the 2020 $48 million fine is chump change.

A little bit of a tidbit for everyone. This week is the 4th of July holiday. It's known that employees can take a week of vacation. So wait about a week after, and if Johnson and Quinn are still off, then maybe that'll be where suspicions can be raised a little bit.

*The News Director comes out from the back*

https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-rejects-license-challenges-to-three-baltimore-tv-stations

Sunbeam Properties, so yes. Now they have a website devoted to it as well: https://www.sunbeamnbv.com/home EDIT: They've even included a PDF with detailed plans as to what they'll construct in NBV to replace the WSVN complex: https://assets.courbanize.com/sunbeam-north-bay-village/info-plans/5c4f61e19ee3eaf708ee5cb07d1630b9.pdf

There’s an interview in Variety with new GM Tim Weiland (who also continues to run KCNC) and his plans for KCAL/KCBS.

Let's shift stuff for the upcoming 2025-26 season to the new thread, and start winding this one down, only for stuff relevant to the now-completed season.

Had anyone heard about this until now? It's from the same syndicators as Cutler's Court: https://deadline.com/2025/07/scrambled-up-game-show-michael-yo-host-fall-syndication-launch-1236446906/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

WJZ's building on TV Hill in Baltimore suffered an electrical fire this afternoon. The fire was out by the time firefighters arrived at the station. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/baltimore/news/maryland-baltimore-fire-wjz-building-newsroom/

It's as if it has.... [puts on sunglasses] ...no merit.

Sean Hennessey leaving WCBS for a teaching job.

WCBS needs to adjust the white balance on the two shot of the anchors at the desk. For the 6pm newscast It has way to much of a yellowish tint and does not match the other cameras.

Noticed Amy Dardashtian reporting for WCBS.

Here is the new morning show team for WLNY http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/cbs-set-to-launch-new-morning-show-in-new-york_b52127

Maybe they are doing rehearsals for the new AM news show on WLNY and are working out the technical details since I'm guessing the newscasts will be done from WCBS till the WLNY studio is ready?

It is already owned by CBS. Their in the transition of reorganizing WLNY's operations.

Another new hire to beef up the ranks in preparation for WLNY. http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/after-4-years-at-wjz-weijia-jiang-set-to-join-wcbs_b47046

Not a fan at all. That smiled is plastered on. She could smile her way through a 10 car pile up. Lose the phony enthusiasm Alex and become more credible rather than just a smiling talking head. Same goes for the new blond twin doing sports in the morning. Perky and upbeat is one thing; you need it for a morning show but I agree with NYN. Way overdone and forced

Could be an audition for the WLNY morning show

She's in again at 5pm for Kristine.

interesting. She seems to be way too caffeinated in the mornings as traffic reporter though. She is a burst of energy in the mornings, but too much of it makes it seem forced.

Alex was subbing for Cindy this morning..maybe she's on vacation or something..But Alex is a pretty good anchor..she has alot of potential..I can see them considering her to fill an anchor spot should one come up.

Did WCBS TV anchor Kristine Johnson got choke up crying what a Kronkite moment!!

You almost have to wonder if the state of Mississippi will become, essentially, one large market? Although the Delta is often the forgotten part of the state...and does feel isolated from a media perspective.

Well Paramount caved: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/paramount-agrees-pay-16-million-settle-trumps-lawsuit-60-minutes-kamal-rcna216419 A $16 million settlement.

Paywalled, unfortunately, but I checked out the site for his new venture... it looks like Gabe Mahner has left WTVA as well. John Doulsic and Chelsea Simmons will be all that's left.

The Adweek article is dated June 24th. This Variety piece is from yesterday.

Looking forward to a better looking newsplex when they move

When does the WCBS takeover of WLNY start again? After May sweeps, I guess, right?

Agreed. I'll bet you see plenty of Alex, Kerny, Overmyer, the new weather girl (Vanessa?) and many of the newbie reporters they've picked up, over on WLNY. I doubt any of the original TV55 people will be back on except for Richard Rose. Unfortunately, he'll probably have a short shelf life as well. With Berlamino taking over, I'd even guess some of her favorite WPIX people end up on L.I.

Alex Denis is subbing for Kristine all week at 5pm. Interesting that they did not use Cindy or one of the reporters.