CBS Loses Distribution Rights for “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!”
In a significant legal development, CBS has been stripped of its distribution rights for the iconic game shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” A ruling from a Los Angeles court denied CBS’s request for a preliminary injunction aimed at blocking Sony’s takeover of the shows.
Allegations Against CBS
Sony, the producer of these beloved game shows, filed a complaint in October 2024, asserting that CBS had engaged in unauthorized licensing agreements. The complaint specifically highlighted allegations that CBS licensed the shows at rates below the market standard and failed to optimize advertising revenue, among other alleged breaches of contract. Notably, both CBS and CBS News are subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
CBS’s Initial Legal Actions
Following Sony’s accusations, the company assumed distribution rights in February 2025. In response, CBS obtained a restraining order, which temporarily allowed the network to retain control over distribution.
Ruling and Next Steps
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile ruled that “Sony can begin distributing the shows and does not need to deliver episodes to CBS.” In reaction to this decision, CBS Media Ventures announced plans to appeal the ruling regarding distribution rights for both programs, which have been part of American television since their inception in 1975, created by Merv Griffin.
In a statement made to CBS MoneyWatch, CBS Media Ventures emphasized, “This is only a preliminary ruling based on partial evidence, not the outcome of the full case. We’re confident that once all the evidence is heard at trial, we will prevail on the merits. In today’s ruling, the court itself recognized the balance of harm tips in CBS’ favor, so we will ask the appellate court for a stay pending our appeal.”
Sony’s Response
Conversely, Sony Pictures Television expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. In their statement, they noted, “We are gratified by the court’s ruling today, and we look forward to distributing our shows, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, to the 200+ stations that license and count on this programming in the U.S. and around the world, and the millions of fans who tune in to these beloved game shows every week.”
