After a long and contentious legal battle between CBS Media Ventures and Sony Pictures Television over the distribution rights of popular syndicated shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!”, the two companies have finally reached a resolution. In a joint press release issued on Friday, they announced that they had come to an “amicable resolution” regarding the distribution of the shows.
As per the settlement agreement, Sony will take over international distribution of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” starting from December 1. However, CBS will continue to handle the domestic distribution of both shows in the U.S. through the 2027-2028 TV season, after which the rights will transition to Sony. Additionally, marketing, promotions, and affiliate relations for the shows will remain under CBS’s purview until the end of the 2025-2026 TV season, at which point they will move to Sony.
CBS will retain control of all advertising sales at least until the 2029-2030 TV season, with Sony previously only handling a limited inventory of spots. The future of ad sales beyond 2030 was not mentioned in the press release.
In a statement, the companies expressed their satisfaction with the resolution and their commitment to continuing to bring these beloved shows to audiences worldwide. The partnership between Sony and CBS has been longstanding, with Sony owning the shows and handling production while CBS oversaw distribution.
The legal dispute between the two companies began in October 2024 when Sony filed a lawsuit against CBS, alleging self-dealing and failure to maximize revenues in the syndication of the shows. CBS countersued in November, accusing Sony of trying to get out of their distribution contract unfairly.
After a series of legal back-and-forths, a judge ultimately allowed Sony to take over distribution of the shows in April, citing CBS’s failure to meet contractual obligations. However, CBS regained distribution rights a week later after a state appeals court ruled in their favor.
In a note to business partners, CBS Media Ventures announced the resolution, highlighting the confidential terms of the settlement. The note outlined the transition of domestic and international distribution, advertising sales, and marketing responsibilities between the two companies.
Overall, the resolution of this dispute marks a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between Sony Pictures Television and CBS Media Ventures, ensuring the continued success of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” for years to come.
