CBS allowed to distribute Sony’s ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ ‘Jeopardy!’ during lawsuit appeal

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In simpler terms, the court of appeals has given CBS a green light to carry on distributing “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” while their legal dispute with Sony Pictures Television is ongoing. This represents another minor triumph for CBS in their legal fight.

Sony owns the shows and produces them on its Culver City lot.

Previously, a court in Los Angeles decided that Sony is no longer required to supply episodes to CBS, which has long been the intermediary, distributing collections of episodes to TV stations across the nation.

Following this decision, the network owned by Paramount Global chose to appeal. Subsequently, a panel of three judges temporarily halted the ruling, requesting both parties to present their respective arguments.

On Wednesday, the judges indicated they had examined submissions from both parties. In a succinct, one-page decision, the panel upheld CBS’s petition to maintain the hold, thereby enabling the network to carry on with its distribution responsibilities while the appeal is ongoing.

CBS maintains Sony lacks the legal right to unilaterally severe ties.

Hollywood Inc.

For several years, Sony and CBS have collaborated to air two iconic and enduring TV gameshows, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’. However, these classic programs are currently embroiled in a legal dispute as Sony claims that CBS has been acting unethically, or self-dealing.

In August, Sony ended its partnership with CBS for distribution and later filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract. The lawsuit stated that CBS illegally licensed shows without permission, pocketed commissions, and hindered the network’s ability to financially back the two programs due to repeated budget reductions.

In February, Sony attempted to cut CBS out of the picture, escalating the dispute.

According to CBS, Sony’s objections stem from their displeasure with the agreement the parties made decades ago, which they are not content with.

CBS collects approximately 40% of the fees that television stations pay for broadcasting their programs, as they took control of distribution following the acquisition of syndication company King World Productions in 1999.

In the 1980s, King World entered into partnerships with Merv Griffin Enterprises for the distribution of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel.” Even after Sony purchased Griffin’s company, these original agreements continue to hold validity.

Hollywood Inc.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase that statement like this: According to Sony, they contend that CBS was licensing our shows to TV stations at prices lower than the market average, thereby missing out on potential ad revenue opportunities.

Over the past few years, with the rise of streaming platforms challenging traditional TV, the popularity of the daily game shows has remained strong. These shows continue to rank among the most-viewed programs on television today.

A Sony representative was not immediately available for comment.

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2025-05-29 07:01