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"Dr. Phil" bumped for "Dr. Oz" in Houston

Categories: Syndicated TV Ratings And News

Written By

October 2nd, 2009

McGraw-Winfrey-Oz

First Oprah pushed Dr. Phil out of the way for Dr. Oz, now Houston's KPRC is. In  a battle of the Oprah-made doctors, KPRC in Houston has bumped Dr. Phil off the schedule in favor of newcomer Dr. Oz in the 3pm timeslot citing concerns over sliding ratings, and issues with the content on Dr. Phil.

via Broadcasting & Cable:

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. “We have listened to the station's comments about the show and we are as proud of the content and direction as we've ever been. We are confused by the station's actions."

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(44) Comments - Add Yours!

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  1. nkinsey

    Finally a show with someone who pretends to have a doctorate is replaced by one that actually HAS one.

    Credibility-wise, the station did the right thing. Sucks they have to pay for two more years, though.

  2. Why haven’t they put Dr Phil on their digital channel or overnight, where they air two hours of infomercials. Are they contractually obligated to put it on at 3pm?

  3. nkinsey

    Contract only have to do with # of years/eps they bought. Sometimes first runs of certain types of shows (aka your “daytime” programs) have certain areas where they agree to show your program – but I’m not sure that was the case with this one. In my old market, NBC showed Dr. Phil during the day, then again at 7P. Chances are they could stick him anywhere on their schedule. However, affiliates probably wouldn’t take off their paid programming spots.

  4. Catherine

    Concern over the content of Dr. Phil? Have they seen Dr. Oz?

  5. Anonymous

    It’s lose-lose. I’m in the Houston market and both of these “doctors” are daytime drags. I’d rather watch a judge show.

  6. Matt

    Since the digital conversion, the station also has KPRC-DT2 and KPRC-DT3 on which to show Dr. Phil.

  7. jimFLA

    Who is Dr.Oz??

  8. Hector

    dr phil has a doctorate. he’s not that ballsy to go around calling himself dr without one.

    but if youre on a plane and you have a heart attack you want dr oz on that plane not dr phil

    dr oz is what is technically described as ‘a real doctor’

  9. nkinsey

    Dr. Phil is not a licensed doctor. So legally he is not a doctor. He lost it when he failed to appear in court over a sexual harassment lawsuit.

    So no, he is NOT a doctor.

  10. MBirrell

    Dr Oz is great and does not bring and promote his family on the show so far. Dr Phil keep plugging his son and now we have to put up with his playboy playmate daughter in law. Such a joke for a doctor who was very critical of porn!! And yes he is no longer a doctor as he did not go to court to face the music. His license was not renew and he can only do entertainment psy. and that is what it is.

  11. Dr. Oz is Fabulous!! Highly intelligent and even though I’m sure he’s paid through the wah-zoo, he seems to genuinely care about people!!

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