In a sweeping legal decision that will reshape the game show industry, CBS Media Ventures has officially lost the distribution rights to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. The ruling, handed down by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile, grants Sony Pictures Television full control over distribution, marking the end of CBS’ decades-long role as syndicator.
The decision stems from an ongoing legal battle in which Sony accused CBS of violating critical terms of its agreement, undercutting revenue potential, and deprioritizing the shows following the CBS-Viacom merger.
“Sony can begin distributing the Shows and need not deliver episodes to CBS,” the court stated in its ruling.
The Legal Fight: CBS vs. Sony
CBS Loses Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune
Sony’s allegations included:
- Licensing the shows below market value
- Failing to optimize ad revenue
- Bundling the shows with weaker CBS programming
- Improper licensing in foreign territories
CBS, in its defense, claimed it had delivered billions in revenue for Sony and honored its agreements. However, internal communications and former executive testimony suggested a pattern of mismanagement and reduced support for Sony’s shows after the CBS-Viacom merger.
Judge Brazile’s decision found that CBS’ actions — especially bundling and international licensing without proper fees — put Sony at a financial disadvantage and violated their partnership terms.
The Impact on Local Affiliates and Distribution
The court’s findings highlighted frustrations from local station affiliates. Executives testified that they felt pressured to accept weaker CBS shows to access Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! — both of which remain top-rated in syndication.
“We felt like we had to take the other CBS programming given the importance of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!,” said one affiliate manager.
Such bundling, while common in TV deals, was deemed problematic in this case due to Sony’s independent content ownership and CBS’ internal conflicts of interest.
CBS-Viacom Merger Fallout
A key turning point appeared to be the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger, after which Sony claims the shows were deprioritized. Testimony from former CBS executive Roxanne Pompa revealed that teams were told to step back from promoting or investing in the Sony properties, since CBS didn’t receive the full revenue share.
The ruling also found CBS had violated licensing terms in Australia and New Zealand, only making payments to Sony after legal threats.
Next Steps: Appeal and Industry Fallout
CBS has vowed to appeal the decision, calling it “a preliminary ruling based on partial evidence.” A spokesperson for the company expressed confidence that the final trial outcome could still swing in CBS’ favor.
Sony, meanwhile, celebrated the court’s decision:
“We are gratified by the Court’s ruling and look forward to distributing our shows to the 200+ stations that count on them and the millions of fans who tune in every week.”
What This Means for Fans and the Future of Syndication
This ruling gives Sony Pictures Television full distribution control over Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune — two of the most iconic game shows in U.S. history. It could lead to:
- New syndication deals
- Increased international licensing
- Changes in broadcast availability for local stations
It also sets a precedent in the ever-changing world of TV rights and studio partnerships — especially as traditional broadcasters face growing competition from direct-to-streaming distribution.
The Jeopardy! Wheel of Fortune franchise enters a new chapter.
With CBS losing its long-held rights and Sony stepping into full control, the Jeopardy!/Wheel of Fortune franchise enters a new chapter. The legal win reshapes the broadcast landscape, reinforces the importance of clean studio-partner relationships, and gives Sony a clear runway to maximize the shows’ reach.
📢 Stay tuned for updates as CBS appeals the ruling and Sony begins the next era of distribution.
SOURCE – THR
