CBS and Sony Pictures Television have settled their differences when it comes to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
The two companies, who have spent the last year in a battle over the syndicated distribution rights to the two daytime game shows, have reached an agreement.
In February, Sony informed CBS Media Ventures that it was taking over global distribution to the two shows, a move that the Paramount-owned company claimed was “false”. This came after Sony filed a breach of contract suit last year.
Sony had accused CBS of licensing the shows at “below market” rates, “failed to maximize advertising revenue” and “undercut” the shows through “self-preferencing.”
In April, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted a preliminary injunction to Sony Pictures Television in the case, effectively denying CBS’ bid to block the former from distributing the high-profile shows. In May, CBS gained the rights back until the case was over.
In June, Sony struck a number of multi-year streaming deals for the shows with Peacock and Hulu that allows both shows to stream the day after their linear airing. Keith LeGoy, Chairman, Sony Pictures Television, said that these streaming rights were “completely separate” to its syndicated deals.
Now, the two companies have come to an “amicable resolution” and agreed that CBS will remain the exclusive domestic distributor of the shows in syndication and continue to deliver the shows through the 2027/2028 season. After this, Sony Pictures Television will become the exclusive domestic distributor of the shows.
CBS will also expand its role and exclusively lead all advertising sales through the 2029/2030 season. However, the marketing, promotions and affiliate relations for the shows will transition to Sony at the end of the 2025/2026 season and Sony will continue to manage brand integrations with international distribution rights to the shows moving to Sony from December 1, 2025.
In a joint statement, Sony Pictures Television and CBS Media Ventures added, “We have reached an amicable resolution regarding the syndicated distribution of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. We look forward to working together to continue bringing these beloved shows to audiences and stations around the world.”