According to Deadline CBS is in a heated legal battle with Sony Pictures TV over the distribution rights to the iconic game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!. On Monday, Sony informed CBS that it would take full control of global distribution for the shows, effectively ending a more than 40-year partnership between the two companies. CBS, owned by Shari Redstone(Chairwoman, President, CEO of National Amusements) immediately rejected this claim, stating that Sony had no right to terminate the agreement.
“Sony has no rights under the distribution agreements to terminate them, and CBS remains the distributor,” CBS stated in a formal response to clients and industry insiders.
The conflict escalates as both companies battle over long-standing contracts and allegations of breached agreements. According to Deadline Sony’s head of games shows, Suzanne Prete (President, Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television), the company has already delivered episodes scheduled for the week of February 3, 2025, and will continue with the transition starting February 10. “Although CBS has failed to respond to our previous requests for cooperation in effectuating the transition to Sony, we nonetheless again request CBS’s cooperation,” Prete wrote in a letter to CBS’s Wendy McMahon(President and CEO of CBS News and Stations). Meanwhile, CBS contends that Sony’s move is legally baseless and could disrupt ongoing business relationships.
In a dramatic turn, Sony is seeking to amend a lawsuit filed in October 2024. The amended complaint accuses CBS of entering into unauthorized licensing deals and engaging in self-dealing. Sony also claims that these actions have led to significant damage, including the loss of advertising support from major companies like Procter & Gamble.
“The abrupt termination after years of advertising on the Shows overlaps with CBS’s failure to renew Nielsen and the lack of commercial ratings data,” Sony’s proposed amendment asserts.
As the legal proceedings unfold, CBS and Sony continue to exchange blows in court. Sony has demanded that CBS immediately hand over documents related to the licensing and advertising agreements for both shows, as well as contact information for key personnel. The case is now set to be decided in Los Angeles Superior Court, with both companies seeking immediate judicial relief.
The fight over Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune marks a high-stakes chapter in the world of television game show distribution. As both parties dig in their heels, the final outcome remains uncertain. Fans of these legendary shows will be watching closely as the legal drama unfolds.