CBS has temporarily regained distribution rights for both “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” after a California state appeals court issued a ruling that paused Sony Pictures Television’s attempt to take control of the lucrative sales and syndication rights for the iconic game shows. The decision, made on April 16, 2025, by a three-judge panel from California’s Second Appellate District, reverses an earlier ruling from a lower court that had granted Sony the right to take over the sales and distribution responsibilities from CBS.
The appellate court’s ruling effectively halts the enforcement of a preliminary injunction issued on April 10, 2025, which had shifted those responsibilities to Sony. This legal back-and-forth has significant implications for both companies and the future of two of television’s most beloved game shows.
Sony Pictures Television owns the intellectual property rights to both “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” following its acquisition of Merv Griffin Enterprises in 1986. Merv Griffin, the legendary television producer and creator of both shows, originally established a perpetual distribution agreement in the mid-1980s with King World Productions, which later became part of CBS in 2000. Since then, CBS has maintained distribution and sales responsibilities while Sony has retained production control, a partnership that has kept both shows as staples of early evening television for decades. “Wheel of Fortune” first aired in syndication in 1983, followed by “Jeopardy!” in 1984, and both programs now air on more than 150 stations across the United States.
However, tensions have escalated between the two companies, with Sony alleging that CBS breached their distribution agreement by entering into unauthorized licensing deals for both shows. In its lawsuit, Sony claims that CBS paid itself commissions on those deals without properly compensating Sony. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that CBS has been “egregiously undercutting the value of these shows in favor of its own self-interest and in violation of its contractual obligations.”
In addition to these claims, Sony alleges that CBS licensed the shows at below-market rates, withheld over $3.6 million in foreign licensing revenue, and failed to adequately support the shows due to internal budget cuts and layoffs. The legal battle has raised concerns about the future of both game shows, which have become cultural institutions in their own right.
In response to Sony’s allegations, CBS has pushed back vigorously. The network contends that Sony’s claims stem from dissatisfaction with a deal that the parties agreed to decades ago. CBS emphasized its long-standing role in helping to make the shows cultural fixtures, arguing that Sony is attempting to undermine a mutually agreed-upon and long-standing deal. CBS’s lawyers described Sony’s actions as a “transparent cash grab,” asserting that the company is trying to renegotiate terms it has long accepted simply because it no longer finds them favorable.
The appellate court’s decision to grant CBS a temporary reprieve means that for now, CBS retains the rights to distribute the shows while the case is being considered. The court has set a deadline for Sony to file its formal appeal brief by April 28, 2025, while CBS must submit its response by May 9, 2025. The ruling pauses the lower court’s decision that would have allowed Sony to stop delivering new episodes to CBS for distribution to its station affiliates.
As the legal saga unfolds, both CBS and Sony have chosen not to comment on the latest developments. This ongoing dispute could have significant financial and operational implications for two of the longest-running shows in television history. The outcome of this case will likely shape the future of both “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” and could alter the landscape of television game show distribution.
With CBS and Sony at odds, the stakes are high, not only for the companies involved but also for the millions of viewers who tune in to watch these beloved shows. The resolution of this legal battle could either reinforce CBS’s long-held distribution rights or pave the way for a new era under Sony’s control. As the deadlines approach, industry experts and fans alike are left wondering how this will all play out.
In the meantime, viewers can continue enjoying both shows as they have for decades, but the uncertainty surrounding their distribution rights highlights the complex nature of television contracts and the challenges that arise in the entertainment industry. The outcome of this case will not just affect CBS and Sony but could also set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, making it a situation worth watching closely.
