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Judge allows CBS to distribute ‘Jeopardy,’ ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ amid Sony dispute

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The judge is permitting CBS to proceed with the distribution of “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune,” a move that complicates Sony Pictures Television’s plans to cut ties with their longtime partner.)

On Wednesday evening, I, as a supporter, was pleased to learn that Judge Kevin C. Brazile had granted CBS’s petition for a temporary restraining order. This ruling, made by me, prevents Sony from circumventing CBS by delivering new episodes of popular shows directly to television stations that broadcast them.

Sony, being the owner and manufacturer of profitable game shows, recently took legal action against CBS (owned by Paramount Global) for breach of contract last fall. This week, the dispute over the contract intensified when Sony declared that it would cease providing new episodes to CBS. However, they assured delivery of the upcoming episode batch to TV stations nationwide next week.

CBS contested that Sony doesn’t have the power to terminate the long-standing agreement for supply between the two parties unilaterally.

Back in the 1980s, King World Productions – a syndication company that was eventually bought by CBS in 1999 – had made deals with Merv Griffin Enterprises, the original producer, to distribute “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune”. Although Sony later acquired Griffin’s company, these early distribution agreements still stand.

On Thursday, CBS Media Ventures expressed satisfaction that the court granted a temporary block on Sony’s questionable activities. They stated their intention to carry on supplying ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ to their broadcasting partners just as they have for more than four decades without interruption.

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Based in Culver City, Sony announced they will deliver fresh episodes straight to broadcasting networks, intensifying their contract disagreement with CBS. In response, CBS, owned by Paramount, declared their intention to file a lawsuit to challenge Sony’s actions.

In a statement, Sony Pictures Television indicated that the temporary injunction granted to Brazile was not the definitive outcome.

Since CBS has repeatedly failed to meet its contractual responsibilities, SPT asserts that they have legally ended their distribution deals with CBS for the programs. As a result, SPT now handles all worldwide distribution duties,” the company declared in a statement.

Brazile scheduled a Feb. 18 status conference for an update on the legal dispute.

Last year, Sony asserted in a court case that CBS had made unapproved licensing agreements for TV shows in both Australia and New Zealand. Not only did CBS license these shows at lower-than-average prices, but they also kept some of the profits from these deals for themselves. Moreover, Sony accused CBS of not maximizing advertising revenue opportunities.

Sony voiced concerns over a prolonged disagreement between CBS and ratings agency Nielsen, which had prevented CBS-distributed programs from receiving essential audience data that could prove their show’s popularity to advertisers. This week, CBS and Nielsen reached an accord on a fresh contract, enabling CBS shows to access the necessary ratings.

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fewer films are being produced in the Los Angeles region these days; some individuals are making efforts to prevent Southern California from transforming into a phantom town for the entertainment industry.

Additionally, Sony claimed that massive job cuts at CBS severely depleted the team responsible for assisting “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.

Due to those cost reductions, Sony was compelled to take over essential duties, such as negotiating contracts with significant television broadcasters for the distribution of their programming. This is what Sony stated in their lawsuit.

Sony has declared that it will persistently challenge CBS’s excessive mismanagement of these cherished programs, and will pursue any required legal measures to safeguard our rights, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

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Finding a suitable replacement for the game show host isn’t a walk in the park. However, the viewership numbers for ‘Wheel of Fortune’ have increased following Pat Sajak’s exit.

Last autumn, CBS accused Sony of intentionally excluding them from a profitable agreement, due to motivations they outlined in their response.

In its lawsuit, CBS claimed that when Sony’s attempt to regain distribution rights for the two programs failed, Sony started exploring alternative methods to assert control over them instead.

CBS’ parent, Paramount, has faced financial struggles for several years.

Over the last summer, tech mogul David Ellison along with his family consented to acquire Shari Redstone’s family’s majority share in Paramount. Currently, federal authorities are scrutinizing Ellison’s intentions to assume control over Paramount and merge it with his Skydance Media production business.

Paramount and Skydance executives are hoping that deal closes this spring.

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2025-02-06 23:34

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