‘Dr. Oz Show’ Axed As Oz Runs For GOP Pennsylvania Senate Nomination

On Monday, Sony Pictures announced that The Dr. Oz Show, which has aired 13 seasons since 2009, will be ending next month. The statement comes after show host, Dr. Mehmet Oz, announced his intent to run for Senate as a Republican in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Oz is running to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and is joining a crowded field of candidates vying for the seat. This race could become key to whether Democrats retain their Senate majority.

Toomey was criticized by his own party when he voted to convict Trump of inciting the Jan 6 riot at the Capitol, but Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.

Sony Pictures didn’t cite Oz’s Senate announcement specifically as the reason for the cancellation, but the show had already been dropped by several TV stations citing Federal Communications Commission equal-time rules.

The equal-time rule specifies that American radio and TV stations are required to provide equal air time to any opposing political candidates who request it. Thus, if Dr. Oz is now a candidate, any station airing his show in Pennsylvania would have no choice but to air opposing candidates if they requested.

Despite having lived in New Jersey for many years, Dr. Oz registered to vote in Pennsylvania at his in-law’s address earlier this year. A spokesperson for the campaign later told CNBC that he “lives” and “votes” in Pennsylvania, but did not specify where or when he moved.

Oz has appeared more frequently on Fox News in the month since announcing his candidacy, including appearing on Hannity as recently as yesterday for the second time this month.

He has even aped the talking points of ex-President Donald Trump, most notably in his first campaign video, when he wraps up by saying “Pennsylvania needs a conservative who will put America first…”

The Dr. Oz Show will air its final episode on Jan 14. It will be replaced by its spinoff show The Good Dish. Hosted by his daughter Daphne Oz, The Good Dish premieres on Jan 17, and it is a talk-cooking show with a different dish being served up every day.