CBS fires back over Sony’s Wheel of Fortune lawsuit

US network CBS has hit back at Sony in a lawsuit accusing the network of unauthorised syndication deals for Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy in Australia & New Zealand and failing to maximise revenues.

The suit alleges that CBS had pocketed $3.6 million in fees. Sony demanded the money, and was rebuffed, with CBS claiming that Sony had already received its fair share of the fees.

Sony also alleges that is “the tip of the iceberg,” alleging that the game shows have been offered as a package with less popular CBS shows like The Hot Bench and The Drew Barrymore Show.

But in a countersuit CBS lawyers claim, “Sony is attempting to obtain in court what it could not get at the bargaining table: the rights to the Series for free, by finding any excuse it can muster.”

CBS alleges that Sony has interfered in talks over distribution of UK and Australia versions of the shows, preventing CBS from exercising its contractual rights. CBS also claims that Sony has barred it from offering celebrity versions of the game shows in overseas markets, or signing overseas deals that go beyond 2028, both of which CBS says are in violation of the contract. CBS also accuses Sony of withholding license fees for interactive versions of the shows.

According to CBS, Sony approached the company in early 2024 and offered to buy out the distribution deal.

“Needless to say, CBS is disappointed by Sony’s decision to turn its back on the Parties’ longstanding relationship, to attempt to renounce the decades’ worth of efforts that CBS has invested into distributing and arranging for the distribution of the Series, and to attempt and escape the bargain it willingly made,” reads the complaint.

“Therefore, through these claims, CBS seeks to hold Sony to the Agreements, and CBS remains committed to continuing to occupy its mantle as Sony’s trusted partner and distributor of the Series for the next four decades and beyond.”

Wheel of Fortune US began screening on 10 last month, hosted by Ryan Seacrest while Jeopardy screens on Foxtel and SBS VICELAND.

Wheel of Fortune Australia, hosted by Graham Norton, began on 10 this week.

Source: Variety, Deadline