By Joe Flint
Sony and CBS have resolved a legal fight over the business operations of "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!," TV's two biggest game shows, the companies said Friday.
Sony Pictures Television, which makes "Wheel" and "Jeopardy!," will take over distribution of the two shows from CBS starting with international sales later this year, followed by domestic sales to local TV stations in the fall of 2028.
CBS, a unit of Paramount, will continue to sell domestic advertising on "Wheel" and "Jeopardy!" through the 2029-30 television season, the companies said.
In a lawsuit filed last year, Sony alleged breach of contract by CBS. Sony said the network earned distribution fees from unauthorized deals, licensed the shows at prices lower than market rates and favored its own shows over "Wheel" and "Jeopardy!" when making distribution deals and selling advertising.
CBS denied those allegations.
The four-decade-old hits "Wheel" and "Jeopardy!" together generate more than $100 million in profits annually for Sony, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
Both shows have stayed popular even with new frontmen. Pat Sajak retired from his "Wheel" duties last year, with Ryan Seacrest taking over. On "Jeopardy!," Ken Jennings succeeded Alex Trebek, who died in 2020.
CBS has managed distribution for the shows since 1999. The deal has been lucrative for CBS, as it provided for a 35% to 40% commission on the fees stations pay to carry the two shows, Sony said in its lawsuit. The typical commissions for ad sales and distribution fees is between 10% and 15%.
Write to Joe Flint at Joe.Flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 07, 2025 17:18 ET (22:18 GMT)
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