A Los Angeles judge has granted CBS a temporary restraining order against Sony Pictures Television, preventing the studio from assuming distribution rights forJeopardy!andWheel of Fortune. Both game shows are among the most-watched syndicated programs in the U.S., withJeopardy!winning 45 Emmy AwardsandWheel of Fortunemaintaining record-high ratings for over four decades. Both shows air on local stations nationwide, with CBS handling distribution. Sony produces both programs, but the dispute over distribution rights has led to an escalating legal battle between the companies.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter,earlier this week,Sony announced that it had taken over global distribution, claiming CBS had violated their longstanding agreement.CBS responded by seeking a restraining order to maintain the status quo. Judge Kevin C. Brazile ruled in CBS’ favor, keeping the company in control of distributing the game shows for now. Sony maintains that it has lawfully terminated its agreement with CBS.
The dispute originated in October 2024, whenSony sued CBS for breach of contract, accusing the company of harming the shows' profitability. CBS countersued in November. They argued that Sony was attempting to bypass its contractual obligations to claim distribution rights without compensation.
What This Means for Jeopardy! & Wheel Of Fortune
Further Legal Proceedings Will Follow CBS' Restraining Order
The ruling temporarily preserves CBS’ role as the distributor ofJeopardy!andWheel of Fortune, ensuring that episodes will continue airing without immediate disruption. CBS Media Ventures has beenresponsible for distributing both shows for decades, handling syndication agreements with local stationsacross the country. While Sony remains its production company, distribution determines how and where the shows reach audiences, as well as how advertising revenue is managed.
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Additionally, Sony’s lawsuit alleges that CBS has intentionally reduced the value ofJeopardy!andWheel of Fortuneto benefit its own financial interests. The counterclaim fromCBS accuses Sony of attempting to break the existing contract in order to take full control of distribution. While the restraining order blocks Sony from assuming distribution obligations for now, the final outcome will be determined through ongoing litigation.
Jeopardy!consistently ranks among the most-watched game shows and has seen strong ratings even with hosting changes in recent years.
CBS and Sony’s legal battle comesasJeopardy!andWheel of Fortunecontinue to be top-performing syndicated programs.Jeopardy!consistently ranks among the most-watched game shows and has seen strong ratings even with hosting changes in recent years.Wheel of Fortune, previously hostedby Pat Sajak and now Ryan Seacrest alongside Vanna White, remains a staple of primetime syndication.
Where Jeopardy! Spinoffs Fit Into This Case
Pop Culture Jeopardy! Launched In 2024
Not only are both game shows staples of American television, the departure of longtimeJeopardy!hostAlex Trebek, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2020, has beenfollowed by the creation of multiple spinoffsamid recasting the flagship game show. These spinoffs, which make the situation even more complicated, include the Ken Jennings-hosted championship tournamentJeopardy! Masters, which has so far run for two seasons since debuting in 2023, and the Mayim Bialik-hostedCelebrity Jeopardy!, which returned for season 3 in January. The most recent spinoff is the Colin Jost-hostedPop Culture Jeopardy!, which debuted in December 2024.
Celebrity Jeopardy!season 3 premiered with a roster of players that includedNew Girl’s Max Greenfield,Grey’s Anatomystar Camilla Luddington, and comedian W. Kamau Bell.
Ultimately,it seems that this lawsuit does not touch any of the spinoffs, all of which are executive produced by Michael Davies for Sony Pictures Television. None of the series are part of the same syndication deal or distributed by CBS. In fact, they don’t even have the same network homes as one another. While bothCelebrity Jeopardy!andJeopardy! Mastersair on ABC,Pop Culture Jeopardy!is a Prime Video series. The Prime Video streaming service is owned by Amazon, which is affiliated with Amazon MGM Studios and thus neither ABC nor CBS.
However, the fact that Sony has developed so many versions ofJeopardy!outside of their existing deal with CBScould be seen as them shoring up their right to control the franchise, which may come up during the ongoing legal proceedings and put their claims in a negative light. Thus, while the shows will likely not be impacted by the case, the reverse might not be true.
Our Take On The Jeopardy! & Wheel Of Fortune Dispute
The Lawsuit’s Outcome Could Change How Jeopardy! & Wheel of Fortune’s Distribution Is Handled
The court’s ruling is a temporary solution to an escalating legal fight, but the long-term implications could reshape howJeopardy!andWheel of Fortuneare distributed. Both shows have remained stable under CBS’ syndication, and any disruption to their availability could impact local stations and advertisers. If Sony succeeds in its lawsuit, it could shift the business structure behind two of television’s most popular game shows. Until the case is resolved, the legal battle will continue to unfold,leaving the future ofJeopardy!&Wheel of Fortune’sdistribution uncertain.
Wheel of Fortune
Cast
Wheel of Fortune is a long-running game show where contestants solve word puzzles to win cash and prizes. Players take turns spinning a large carnival-style wheel to determine prize values and attempt to guess letters in the puzzle.
Jeopardy
One of the all-time longest-running television game shows, Jeopardy follows a quiz format where contestants test their general knowledge with clues in the form of the answer to a question. Contestants must then give their answer in the form of a question when they buzz in to respond to the clue. Beginning in 1964, Jeopardy has had a series of hosts, most notably Alex Trebek who hosted the show from 1984 until his death in 2020. The show is currently hosted by Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik.
