Sony has emerged victorious in the battle over distribution rights for the iconic game shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!,” with a Los Angeles court rejecting CBS’s bid for a preliminary injunction to block Sony from taking over. The court ruled that Sony can now begin distributing the shows, which CBS had been licensing at allegedly below-market rates. CBS Media Ventures has stated that they will appeal the ruling, arguing that it is only a preliminary decision based on partial evidence and not the outcome of the full case.
The legal dispute dates back to October 2024, when Sony filed a complaint alleging that CBS had breached its contract and entered into unauthorized licensing agreements for the two programs. Sony took over distribution in February, prompting CBS to seek a restraining order, which temporarily allowed them to retain distribution rights. However, the recent ruling by Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile has now given Sony the green light to distribute the shows without delivering episodes to CBS.
Both CBS and Sony have issued statements regarding the court’s decision. CBS maintains that they will prevail once all evidence is heard at trial and will seek a stay pending their appeal. Sony, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the ruling and looks forward to distributing the shows to stations and fans worldwide. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the future of programming for the beloved game shows.
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