Overview

• Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile ruled that Sony has the right to take over distribution of 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune,' blocking CBS from further control.
• Sony alleged that CBS breached its contract by engaging in unauthorized licensing deals, bundling the shows with less desirable programming, and undercutting their profitability.
• The court highlighted CBS's licensing practices in Australia and New Zealand, where agreements exceeded the allowed two-year terms, as a key factor in the ruling.
• CBS announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting that the ruling is preliminary and based on partial evidence, with confidence that it will prevail at trial.
• The ruling marks a significant shift in the decades-long partnership between Sony and CBS, rooted in legacy agreements dating back to the 1980s.