Press Release: January 30, 2025 By Merit TV- MERIT TV™ ANNOUNCES GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH TEAM COMBAT LEAGUE
Dr. Phil McGraw’s Network to Exclusively Distribute First-Ever Team-Based Professional Boxing League Across Multiple Platforms
DALLAS (Feb. 3, 2025) — Merit TV™, the multiplatform TV network founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, has announced an exclusive global media partnership with Team Combat League (TCL), the first and only professional boxing league with a team-based ownership model.
Beginning April 4, 2025, Merit TV will air nine hours of TCL programming each weekend, featuring live bouts between 12 teams representing major U.S. markets. Merit TV will also manage complementary distribution partnerships both in the U.S. and worldwide.
TCL’s 2025 season—its third—will launch in Boston and feature teams composed of rising male and female talent alongside seasoned veterans. Competitors will face off across 12 different weight classes in 24 action-packed, three-minute rounds, with team performance determining the overall winner. Merit TV’s coverage will begin April 4 at 9 p.m. ET across broadcast, cable, streaming, FAST platforms, and the network’s free app, Merit+.
“TCL’s fast-paced team boxing format is revolutionizing one of the world’s oldest and most universal sports,” said Ken Solomon, Merit TV’s director and senior advisor and former Tennis Channel CEO. “With three days of national coverage across our linear and digital platforms, TCL will electrify die-hard fans and attract millions of new ones. Its high-energy, three-minute matchups—where trained former pros team up with real-life ‘Rocky Balboas’—will captivate both boxing purists and newcomers alike.”
“We have waited to find the perfect media partner with a shared vision to take TCL to the next level,” said Kevin Cassidy, CEO of TCL. “Having the experienced team at Merit TV working with us in our third season to expand the league’s media presence, national broadcast and digital reach, and overall presentation is a game-changing partnership.”
In addition to live broadcasts, Merit TV is developing original content from — broadcast to digital to social — across all platforms including social media that takes viewers behind the scenes into the lives of TCL fighters—many of whom are police officers, firefighters, teachers, construction workers, and former Olympic athletes. This initiative aligns with Merit TV’s mission to tell stories that reflect the diversity and resilience of everyday Americans.
About Dr. Phil’s Merit TV
Launched in April 2024 under the Merit Street Media banner, Dr. Phil’s Merit TV is a premier multi-platform television network spearheaded by Dr. Phil McGraw, the esteemed best-selling author and award-winning television host.
Merit TV creates and distributes compelling content across diverse platforms, reaching audiences nationwide. This fully distributed, cable, satellite, streaming, FAST, and free over-the-air broadcast media brand extends its reach to over 200 million homes.
Using zip codes, viewers can access the prominently featured channel-finder link by entering zip codes at www.MeritTV.com. The broad multiplatform scaled distribution partnerships – with a mix of broadcast, basic cable, national satellites, and FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) – also includes the free streaming app, Merit+, available to download via iPhone & Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku.
The network boasts a rich tapestry of original and acquired programming, anchored by the nightly talk show, "Dr. Phil Primetime." Situated in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the expansive Merit studios span 5 acres and serve as the dynamic hub for the brand. Here, daily morning and evening live news broadcasts unfold, as well as live breaking news, embodying Merit TV’s commitment to delivering engaging and informative content. Visit www.MeritTV.com
About Team Combat League
Team Combat League matches feature 24 three-minute rounds of non-stop action. Competitors compete in one round matches and are categorized into eight weight classes, consisting of six male weight classes 126lbs., 135lbs., 147lbs., 160lbs., 175lbs., and 201lbs.+ and two female weight classes, 126lbs., and 147lbs. Sixteen fighters or two fighters per weight class per team appear in each match. Each match is broken up into three periods. The first 8 rounds are the Launch Rounds, rounds 9-16 are the Middle Rounds and rounds 17-24 are the Money Rounds.
TCL employs an exclusive point scoring system, and each round is scored individually. Judging is carried out by a panel of three judges which are licensed by a State Athletic Boxing Commission. A round is scored 10-9 for the winner of a decision based on points. If a knockdown occurs, the scoring is 10-8, and in the case of two knockdowns or a stoppage, the round is scored 10-7.
The scoring process is straightforward: all the individual round scores are added up and the team with the highest total score at the end of all 24 rounds wins! For more information, please visit: https://teamcombatleague.com.
Material Courtesy of: Merit TV Used with permission.
For more information about Merit TV please visit: www.MeritTV.com
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