Following the signing of his most recent five-year contract with CBS Media Ventures in 2018, McGraw departed the show.

During the upcoming 2023–2024 season, the syndication company is anticipated to give networks the option of airing previously recorded episodes.

McGraw said, “I have been blessed with over 25 fantastic years in daytime television.”

“With our show, we have helped tens of thousands of guests and millions of viewers with issues ranging from mental health to parenting to addiction to marriage. This has been an incredible period in my life and career, but even though I’m leaving the daylight, there is still so much I want to accomplish.”

According to CBS Media Ventures, McGraw will soon provide details on a “strategic primetime arrangement” that will allow him to “raise his impact on television and audiences.”

The project’s debut is set for next year.

“I have serious concerns about the American family, and I’m motivated to help restore a clarity of purpose and our core values,” McGraw concluded. “I feel compelled to engage with a larger audience.”

McGraw has been focusing on producing scripted projects and hosting two podcasts, Mystery & Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil and Phil in the Blanks, according to CBS officials who spoke to Variety.

When McGraw repeatedly appeared as a guest expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990s, his television career took off. In the second half of 2002, he made his television debut. With more than 20,000 guests and more than 5 million viewer letters, he has moderated more than 4,000 episodes.

Dr. Phil is the second-most watched talk program, averaging 2 million people every episode. Live with Kelly and Ryan is currently Variety’s top-rated program.

“Phil is a treasured partner and member of the CBS/King World family, and while his show may be ending after 21 years, I’m delighted to announce our connection will continue,” CBS Media Ventures President Steve LoCascio said of McGraw’s decision.

“As the driving force behind one of daytime television’s most watched conversation shows, Phil transformed the daily scene,” he added. “We intend to continue our Dr. Phil collaboration with the library for many years and welcome any future collaboration opportunities.”

Other daytime talk shows ending include The Wendy Williams Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Oz, and The Real, and McGraw’s departure coincides with that.