Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have aired in syndication and not on one specific network for over 40 years. Sony’s distribution agreements with CBS and the network’s previous distributor go back to the early 1980s. Under their deal, CBS licenses the shows to local stations and sells ad spots in exchange for around one-third of profits.
However, Sony claims that CBS has not met its contractual duty to make its “best efforts” to make those profits as large as possible. The complaint states that CBS also pulled some shady dealings, including entering into distribution agreements in Australia, New Zealand and other international spaces that were not authorized. Sony demanded the alleged $ 3.6 million that CBS had made from these agreements, with CBS pushing back, claiming part of the fees were already recieved, according to the suit.
Sony also says that CBS’s mass layoffs, given the recent shakeup with its parent company, Paramount Global, have negatively affected distribution, marketing, and ad sales for the iconic game shows. Sony also accuses CBS of prioritizing shows it owns, like The Drew Barrymore Show.
It’s unclear if the lawsuit will lead to CBS dropping these programs in the local markets where they air them across the U.S.