TV News

Dr. Phil media network in DFW executes layoffs of nearly 40 staffers

Dr. Phil McGraw

www.drphil.com

Merit Street Media, the news and entertainment TV network launched in February 2024 by Dr. Phil McGraw, has executed layoffs of employees as part of a "consolidation," according to a company statement.

Just under 40 employees were laid off, estimated by Deadline at nearly a third of its entire staff.

A Merit Street Media spokesperson said that, "following the brief summer hiatus of ‘Dr. Phil Primetime,’ Merit Street implemented ongoing consolidations of departments and roles in efforts to achieve efficiencies at the highest level, which unfortunately resulted in some layoffs."

The layoffs did not include anchors or other on-air personnel such as Dominique Sachse, the high-profile Houston TV anchor who relocated to DFW to co-host the morning show.

Merit Street Media is a cable, satellite, and free over-the-air broadcast media brand which partnered with Christian-based Trinity Broadcasting cable network as a main distribution partner, promising placement in more than 65 million homes on DirecTV and Dish, among cable and satellite systems.

The programming featured nightly show “Dr. Phil Primetime,” plus live news shows and a true crime lineup headlined by Nancy Grace, the one-time crime queen who hosted shows on Court TV and HLN.

McGraw was no stranger to DFW having earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas in 1979. Prior to launching Merit Street, he had a syndicated daytime talk show for 21 years which aired its final episode on May 25, 2023.

That followed a layoff in 2022 as they were going into their 21st and final season, in which 25 staffers were let go in a cost-cutting move.

Numerous former employees were reported to have relocated to DFW to work at Merit Street.

But paring down was part of the company plan, with a goal to eliminate duplication and create a single editorial and production group.

"We are confidently getting better at what we do," the spokesperson said. "Merit will continue striving to create more synergy between all divisions including staff expanding their roles within our live news, original programming, and sports and music endeavors.”

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Park News

Dallas acquires 30-year-old amusement park for $13 million

Adventure Landing

An amusement park in Far North Dallas was purchased by the City of Dallas to be developed into a community park. The Dallas City Council voted during its December 11 meeting to buy Adventure Landing, a 30-year-old amusement park at 17717 Coit Rd. for the sum of $13.7 million with a goal to keep the park in business.

The 13.5-acre property has been an entertainment venue for the past 30 years, with mini golf, batting cages, soccer fields, and arcade games.

The previous owner, the Hildebrand family, previously turned down much bigger offers from developers because they wanted the buyer to carry on their mission and keep the park a park.

The Park and Recreation Department will operate the soccer fields, and Adventure Landing will manage all other facilities until a future park is constructed.

In November, the Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved the land acquisition item and recommended approval to the City Council.

“With the cost of land in the north Dallas area increasing in value, we are fortunate to secure this property to make sure residents have access to green spaces and new recreational amenities,” says Dallas Park and Recreation Board President Arun Agarwal in a statement. “Acquiring land in certain fully developed areas of the City for park purposes is exceedingly difficult, and this acquisition represents a unique opportunity for us as a city.”

A release says there aren't many parks in the area, and the closest parks are Preston Ridge Trail to the west, Twin Lakes Park to the south, and the Cotton Belt Trail, which is currently in the works.

“This acquisition represents far more than the purchase of land – it symbolizes a pivotal investment in addressing a critical need within a community with the fewest parks in the entire city," says District 12 Park and Recreation Board Member Lane Conner in a statement. "By creating this new park, we are taking a transformative step toward providing every resident, no matter their neighborhood, with access to exceptional green spaces."

Adventure Landing will keep the same name and management team under the new ownership.

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