Sony takes over distribution of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy!” from CBS, court docket guidelines

CBS has misplaced distribution rights to “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” with a Los Angeles court docket rejecting the community’s bid for a preliminary injunction that may have blocked Sony from taking up. 

Sony, which produces the 2 iconic sport reveals, filed a grievance In October 2024, alleging that CBS entered into unauthorized licensing agreements. Particularly, the corporate claimed CBS licensed the reveals at below-market charges and failed to maximise promoting income, amongst different alleged contract violations. 

After accusing CBS of breaching its contract, Sony in February assumed distribution. In response, CBS sought, and was granted, a restraining order, which allowed the community to retain distribution rights. 

In his ruling Thursday, Superior Courtroom Choose Kevin Brazile said that “Sony can start distributing the reveals and doesn’t have to ship episodes to CBS.” 

CBS Media Ventures mentioned that it will instantly attraction the choice blocking Sony from distributing the 2 in style applications, each of which have been created by Merv Griffen and debuted in 1975.

“That is solely a preliminary ruling based mostly on partial proof, not the result of the total case,” CBS Media Ventures mentioned in a press release to CBS MoneyWatch. “We’re assured as soon as all of the proof is heard at trial, we are going to prevail on the deserves. In at this time’s ruling, the court docket itself acknowledged the steadiness of hurt suggestions in CBS’ favor, so we are going to ask the appellate court docket for a keep pending our attraction.”

Sony didn’t instantly reply to CBS MoneyWatch’s request for remark.