Yahoo Lifestyle CBS Granted Restraining Order Over ‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’
CBS had a small win this week in its ongoing legal battle over the distribution of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
A judge in Los Angeles, Calif., issued the latest ruling in the months-long case late on Wednesday, Feb. 5. According to court documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin C. Brazile approved CBS Media Studios’ restraining order request blocking Sony Pictures Television from taking over distribution duties of the two shows.
CBS Media Studios said it was “pleased” by the ruling in a statement issued on Thursday, Feb. 6. “We will continue to seamlessly distribute Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! to our station clients like we have for over 40 years,” the statement added.
Sony meanwhile said in a statement shared with the paper that it “believes it has lawfully terminated the distribution agreements with CBS for the shows and accordingly assumed all global distribution functions.”
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The legal conflict dates back to October 2024 when Sony initiated a lawsuit alleging that CBS was in breach of contract regarding its syndication of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. While Sony handles the production of the game shows, CBS handles distribution.
Sony alleged that CBS was “egregiously undercutting the value and profitability of these shows in favor of its own self-interest” in a lawsuit reviewed last fall by The Hollywood Reporter. CBS “pocketed millions in distribution fees from unauthorized deals, licensed the shows domestically well below market value, and favored its wholly-owned shows in advertising sales and distribution, among other things,” the lawsuit claimed.
CBS disputed Sony’s allegations and said its contract “is clear that we hold the distribution rights to these series in perpetuity.” CBS vowed to “vigorously” engage in the legal battle to come.
Tensions heightened earlier this week when Sony said it would take over distribution of both shows. Brazile’s subsequent ruling allows CBS to continue distributing the shows for now, though legal proceedings are expected to move forward. A status conference is scheduled to take place on Feb. 18, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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