Sony wins distribution rights to “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy!”
Sony’s victory in the legal battle over the distribution rights of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” has dealt a blow to CBS, as a Los Angeles court denied the network’s request for a preliminary injunction to block Sony from taking over. The court ruled in favor of Sony, the producer of the iconic game shows, which had filed a complaint alleging that CBS had entered into unauthorized licensing agreements. According to Sony, CBS had licensed the shows at below-market rates and failed to maximize advertising revenue, among other contract violations.
In response to Sony’s accusations, CBS sought a restraining order to retain distribution rights to the programs. However, the court’s ruling on Thursday favored Sony, allowing the entertainment company to begin distributing the shows without delivering episodes to CBS. This decision marks a significant turning point in the dispute between the two media giants.
CBS Media Ventures has announced its intention to appeal the court’s ruling, emphasizing that it is only a preliminary decision based on partial evidence. The network expressed confidence in its case and stated that it believes it will prevail once all the evidence is presented at trial. CBS Media Ventures also plans to request a stay pending its appeal, highlighting that the court acknowledged the balance of harm tipping in CBS’ favor.
On the other hand, Sony Pictures Television welcomed the court’s ruling and expressed its eagerness to distribute “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” to over 200 stations that license the shows in the U.S. and globally. The statement from Sony reiterated the popularity and widespread viewership of the beloved game shows, emphasizing the importance of delivering the programs to millions of fans each week.
As the legal battle between CBS and Sony continues, the future of the distribution rights for “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” remains uncertain. Both parties are preparing for the upcoming trial, where the full evidence will be presented, and a final decision will be made. In the meantime, fans of the iconic game shows can expect to see changes in how and where they can tune in to watch their favorite programs.
