On August 06, 2025,Sony Pictures TV sent CBS a formal letterannouncing their intention to take over the distribution of two of America’s favorite game shows,Wheel of FortuneandJeopardy. The two TV juggernauts had a previously established long-term partnership over the distribution of the two shows. Now, according to the letter sent to CBS,Sony intends to take over the responsibility of distributing new episodes to the hundreds of TV stations around the country, as early as the week of August 23, 2025.
All of this follows after Sony filed a lawsuit in October 2024, where it alleged that CBS had failed in its capacity to distribute the two game shows in syndication. CBS, in turn, filed a counter-suit in November. Sony producesbothWheel of FortuneandJeopardy, which are a part of TV history as they are among the nation’s longest running game shows, and continue to place among the most-watched programs on broadcast TV. In the suit, Sony alleges CBS has failed to distribute the shows to local TV stations in the United States, while also entering into unauthorized distribution deals internationally. Now, they have escalated the issue with a letter of intent to take on local distribution themselves.So, what does all this legal drama mean for the future of the two cherished game shows?
The Game Show Legal Drama Explained
The move to take over distribution entirely may seem like a stunning development, but this legal drama has been brewing in the background for a long time. Sony purchased Merv Griffin Enterprises in 1994, the original production company for bothWheel of FortuneandJeopardy. Meanwhile, CBS has owned the syndication distribution rights for each series since 1999, when they acquired King World Productions —syndicated seasons are re-runs that are redistributed on channels other than the original network. The symbiotic relationship once worked in harmony,but the recent legal action signals significant discord between the two TV juggernauts.
The lawsuit Sony filedin Los Angeles Superior Court alleged that CBS had undercut the value and profitability of thetwo iconic TV series. CBS was further accused of cutting unauthorized distribution deals, licensing below market value, gutting the internal department meant to ensure that contractual obligations were met, and favoring self-interest in marketing and distribution. The suit sternly summarized Sony’s position:“After repeated attempts to resolve this matter amicably, we are left with no choice but to take legal action today.“In its own response, CBS noted its 40-years of experience acting as “stewards” for these beloved game shows, through its history of distribution partnerships. The network also asserts that it holds the distribution rights for these shows “in perpetuity,” claiming that Sony’s depiction of their distribution of the series is false, and based on the fact that they were dissatisfied with the deal parties on both sides had agreed to decades ago.
The Most Expensive Prize on ‘The Price Is Right’ Came With a Surprise of Its Own
This doesn’t feel like winning at all!
On February 6, CBS won a victory in court whenthe judge issueda temporary restraining orderto block Sony from canceling its distribution deals. Sony issued a statement shortly after, asserting its right to own, control, and produce the two game shows, while noting the apparent victory is only temporary, and “has no bearing on, and is not indicative of, the eventual outcome of the ongoing litigation.” CBS also issued a brief comment, expressing gratitude for the restraining order against what it called Sony’s “unlawful actions.” It is clear that the battle is just heating up on both sides.
Will ‘Jeopardy’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Continue?
With the temporary restraining order in place,CBS has the go ahead to continue to distribute episodes of both shows without having to violate their current contracts. The ongoing litigation should not affect the distribution of either show, for now. But the complex legal battle is just heating up, and both sides have already begun to dig in their heels.
As the court delves into the complex contractual obligations negotiated decades ago, CBS is hinging on the argument that the language of the contracts grants them distribution rights for as long as Sony producesthese beloved game shows. On Sony’s side, it is clear they have been dissatisfied in their working relationship with CBS in recent years, and are ready to move aggressively to gain more control over the properties they own, putting possible changes to distribution on the table, including bolstering streaming options. But, for now,it appears that things will move forward the way they always have, as the two TV juggernauts battle it out in the courts.
Wheel of Fortune
