PBR Pulls Programming From Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Over Payment Dispute; Move Spurs Verbal Spat Between Network & PBR CEO

deadline.com:

Just 13 weeks into PBR‘s (Professional Bull Riders) TV deal with Dr. Phil McGraw’s Merit Street Media, the league has severed ties with the upstart network, launched in April with Christian-based Trinity Broadcasting cable network as a main distribution partner.

PBR, whose ownership is being transferred from Endeavor to TKO, announced the deal termination on social media earlier this week, claiming Merit Street breached its contract by failing to pay rights fees.

As the two sides head to arbitration, the league has announced alternative TV distribution for its events. “Merit Street agreed to work out its differences with PBR in a confidential proceeding which is ongoing.

We were therefore surprised that PBR would publicly accuse us of violating our agreement when the facts are in dispute,” the company said in a statement. “And we are astonished that PBR has demanded that its programming be immediately removed from our network while discussions are ongoing.