In Trinity’s version of events, McGraw duped the network into a partnership by claiming he had the rights to Dr. Phil and would produce new episodes of it, but only if Trinity partnered with his production company Peteski and paid him $20 million.

Partner Trinity Broadcasting and Phil McGraw's Merit Street are suing each other in bankruptcy court over a purported 10-year deal under which Dr. Phil would make 160 new 90-minute episodes of his show.

Lawyers for Dr. Phil McGraw’s media venture were denied their request to withdraw as bankruptcy counsel as the company looks to end its Chapter 11 proceeding.