Sony Escalates ‘Jeopardy!’-‘Wheel of Fortune’ Beef With CBS

Sony is intensifying its conflict with CBS regarding the distribution of the television gameshows, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

On Monday, Sony Pictures Television announced it will assume distribution of two shows starting February 10, effectively ending a syndication agreement between the companies that has spanned over 40 years. CBS had previously handled the distribution. Additionally, Sony is planning to amend its lawsuit against CBS, initially filed in October 2024, claiming that CBS breached its contract within the U.S. and entered into unauthorized syndication deals for “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” in foreign countries.

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Monday saw Sony Pictures Television declare it will commence distribution of two shows from February 10, marking the end of a more than 40-year partnership between the companies. CBS had previously been responsible for distribution. Moreover, Sony intends to modify its lawsuit against CBS, filed in October 2024, alleging that CBS breached its contract domestically and syndicated “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” illegitimately in foreign territories without authorization.

In November, CBS filed a lawsuit against Sony, alleging that Sony was exploiting the judicial system to escape their longstanding agreement: “Sony is trying to gain in court what it couldn’t secure at the negotiating table – the rights to the Series without paying, by concocting any excuse possible,” the counterclaim states.

In simpler terms, Sony’s letter sent on Monday informs CBS that due to CBS Studios Inc.’s failure to meet contractual obligations, Sony Pictures Television Inc., Califon Productions, Inc., and Jeopardy Productions, Inc. (collectively known as Sony Pictures) have taken over the global distribution of both ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’. This includes responsibilities such as content delivery, advertising sales, marketing, promotions, show integrations, managing affiliate relationships, handling public relations, domestic and international licensing, and granting foreign format licenses.

Sony has sent the scheduled episodes of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune for this week to CBS on January 27th. However, starting from February 10th, Sony will assume control over sending these episodes to local TV stations airing the game shows. The letter further requests CBS to provide documentation concerning domestic and international licensing agreements as well as ad sales.

The Hollywood Reporter has asked CBS for comment and will update this story with any reply.

In an updated lawsuit filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Sony claims that CBS illegally licensed streaming rights for two shows it doesn’t own and received payment from these deals. Additionally, Sony strengthens a part of their complaint regarding CBS’s parent company Paramount Global terminating its contract with ratings provider Nielsen.

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2025-02-03 19:54