New network branches out of Christian media network
- TBN is America’s largest faith network
- Dr. Phil hosted the #1 syndicated talk show
- The two influencers are joining forces to bring faith-friendly entertainment to mainstream
TBN, America’s most-watched faith-and-family network, announced that a dynamic new partner channel, Merit Street Media, launched this week, April 2nd, on cable, satellite, broadcast, and streaming platforms nationwide. Heading up the innovative new network is Dr. Phil McGraw, whose daily talk show, Dr. Phil, was the #1 syndicated talk show and one of the most popular programs on daytime TV for over twenty years, garnering a record ten million viewers a week in the U.S. alone.
His new nightly show, Dr. Phil Primetime, anchors a relevant and engaging program lineup on Merit Street Media, with trusted voices like justice advocate Nancy Grace, popular global adventurer Bear Grylls, Emmy Award-winning entertainer Steve Harvey, and many more. Merit Street also features one of America’s most informed and capable news teams, committed to the relentless pursuit of truth, free of speculation and opinion, and an understanding that the headline of any story is only the beginning.
“Merit Street Media will be a resource of information and strategies to fight for America and its families, which are under a cultural ‘woke’ assault as never before,” said Dr. Phil. “I love this country and I believe family is the backbone of our society. Together we are going to stand strong and fight for the very soul and sanity of America and get things that matter back on track.”
Not mission drift, according to TBN
As TBN continues to cover the earth with the gospel message through biblical teaching, preaching, and worship, Merit Street will come to millions of new viewers with compelling, truth-filled content seasoned throughout with values that can positively impact individuals and families.
Dr. Phil emphasized that the teachings of the Gospel have never been more important than they are right now, but many people need to witness those teachings in a practical modern-world setting. “I think you have to use language and examples that people can understand and relate to,” he explained. “And that is the goal of Merit Street. We won’t preach the Gospel, but we’ll do our best each day to model it in an authentic way.” He added: “I hope everyone who watches TBN understands that what we are providing through Merit Street is a fortification of the ministry of TBN. We’re fellow-travelers on a very important mission.”
Commenting on the new network partnership, TBN president Matt Crouch said: “What has really come home to Laurie and me as we’ve sat across from Dr. Phil and heard his heart is that here at TBN our mission, as it has always been, is to show people what the good news of the gospel is all about. Meanwhile, the mission of Dr. Phil and Merit Street Media is to teach people how to walk out the gospel every day in the real world in practical, useful ways. Merit Street is all about communicating the principles of Jesus in a way people can see and understand. For all of us here at TBN, this is a dream come true.”
