Yahoo Lifestyle Fortune’s Fickle: Sony’s Bid For Control Of ‘Jeopardy!’ & ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Distribution From CBS Halted By Judge
“To turne thy whele and be my frende again, and sende me joy where I am nowe in pain,” says the famed 15th century Findern manuscript of Fortune’s whims.
That verse may be hitting a little harder than usual at Sony on Thursday morning after the media giant saw the courts put the brakes put on its attempted full-scale takeover of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! from CBS.
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The companies have been in a breach of contract dispute since October 31 over CBS’ more than 40-year-old distribution contract, and claims by Sony Pictures TV of “self-dealing” by the soon-to-be David Ellison-owned conglomerate.
In the midst of all that, SPT’s head of game shows Suzanne Prete on Monday sent CBS’ Wendy McMahon a letter informing her that Sony had taken back all control of Wheel and Jeopardy! including their global distribution.
“To facilitate an orderly transition of the distribution functions for the Shows, on January 27, 2025, Sony Pictures delivered to CBS the episodes of the Shows to air the week of February 3 through February 9,” the correspondence asserted. “We expect CBS to take all necessary steps to ensure that the episodes are properly delivered to broadcasters. Sony Pictures will begin delivery of episodes of the Shows to broadcasters starting with the episodes scheduled to air the week of February 10.”
Throwing down terms like “false, inappropriate, and ineffective,” CBS Media Ventures replied: “Any contention by Sony that it has reclaimed the distribution rights is subject to ongoing judicial proceedings, and CBS will be seeking immediate relief from the appropriate courts. All business should continue in the usual course.” At the time, the company said it would be seeking a temporary restraining order.
Today it got it, with Los Angeles Superior Court judge Kevin C. Brazile issuing an order hitting the pause button on the move by the Tokyo-run Sony.
Maintaining the contracts that has been in place since 1982 and under the respective umbrellas of CBS and Sony since the late 1990s, the TRO is in effect until at least February 18, when a further status conference hearing is scheduled. Among others agenda items, that February 18 hearing is intended to set dates for a session on a possible permanent restraining order. The judge is clearly hoping Sony and CBS can work something out in the next few weeks to settle this dust-up before a long court case.
On Thursday, quelling the impulse for a victory spin, CBS instead took a measured TCB approach.
“We’re pleased the court issued a temporary restraining order against Sony’s unlawful actions,” a CBS Media Ventures spokesperson told Deadline after the hearing. “We will continue to seamlessly distribute Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! to our station clients like we have for over 40 years.”
Having taken a blow in court today, SPT was in a much more fighting spirit.
“Sony Pictures owns, controls, produces, and finances Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. In light of CBS’s continuous failure to live up to its contractual obligations, SPT believes it has lawfully terminated the distribution agreements with CBS for the shows and accordingly assumed all global distribution functions,” a rep for the division said after the hearing and order was issued.
“Today the Court has instructed SPT to temporarily cease taking on the distribution of the shows until the Court can further hear from the parties on this issue in the near future,” it added. “To be clear, the Court’s order has no bearing on, and is not indicative of, the eventual outcome of the ongoing litigation. SPT will continue to fight CBS’s egregious mishandling of these beloved shows and will take all necessary legal actions to protect our rights.”
We will see on February 18 if Fortune favors the bold or if the courts favor the long-term contract. Either way, you can bet it won’t be very poetic.
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