CBS, Sony settle “Wheel” and “Jeopardy” lawsuit
CBS gives up domestic syndication rights, but not until 2028
The year-long feud between CBS and Sony Pictures Television over the distribution rights and profits of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy has come to an end as the two parties announced a settlement of their lawsuit on Friday.
Sony, who sought to take over distribution rights to both long-running game shows, will now do so domestically in September 2028, just as CBS’ deals with stations concludes. This includes ABC-owned outlets, including WLS-TV Chicago, WABC-TV New York, and KABC-TV Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, international rights to Wheel and Jeopardy will shift from Paramount Networks International to Sony on December 1. Marketing, promotions, and affiliate relations will shift to Sony in September 2026, while CBS Media Ventures will continue to handle barter ad sales until 2030. The financial aspects of the settlement were not disclosed.
“We have reached an amicable resolution regarding the syndicated distribution of ‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune,’” both CBS Media Ventures and Sony said in their joint statement. “We look forward to working together to continue bringing these beloved shows to audiences and stations around the world.”
Sony will also continue to produce primetime episodes of both shows on ABC, as CBS Media Ventures has no involvement. Last June, Sony struck deals with Peacock and Hulu to stream Wheel and Jeopardy to audiences a day after airing as they hold streaming rights.
This comes as CBS Media Ventures parent Paramount came under new ownership this year as Skydance completed its purchase of the famed studio in August. The lawsuit by Sony against CBS was filed in October 2024 when Paramount was still owned and controlled by the Redstone family. In the suit, Sony accused CBS of “self-dealing”, not maximizing enough revenues from the shows and unauthorized sales of Wheel and Jeopardy to networks in Australia and New Zealand.
A month later, CBS countersued, stating Sony was trying to terminate its contract to distribute the shows, something they’ve done since acquiring original syndicator King World Productions in 1999. Sony gained production rights after Merv Griffin Enterprises was purchased by then-Columbia Pictures owner Coca-Cola in 1986, spun off to TriStar Pictures in 1987, and sold to Sony in 1989 with the rest of Columbia Pictures. Merv Griffin Enterprises was folded into Columbia TriStar Television in 1994.
In February, Sony announced they would take over as syndicator replacing CMV, but was blocked by a court restraining order. A judge sided with Sony in April, but was blocked on appeal.
With this suit now settled and Sony taking over syndication rights, the company will now look to strike renewal rights deals with station groups, including ABC, with those next-day streaming rights becoming same-day streaming rights in September 2028.