Sony Pictures Television has inked its first set of streaming deals that will allow Disney and Comcast to offer current season episodes of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” on their platforms.
Starting this fall, Disney’s Hulu and Comcast’s Peacock will offer streaming access to both game shows, one day after their syndicated debut on local broadcast TV stations. Episodes on Hulu will also be available on Disney Plus for subscribers who have both services as part of a bundle.
It is the first time Sony Pictures has offered current season episodes on streaming; previously, the service offered archive and retro episodes of both game shows on Hulu, Paramount’s Pluto TV and the former Sony-owned service Crackle.
“We are thrilled to bring America’s favorite game shows to an even wider audience on Hulu, Hulu on Disney Plus, and Peacock,” Keith Le Goy, the Chairman of Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement. “Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are two of the most successful game shows in television history, and we look forward to giving fans the best possible streaming access to our shows this fall.”
Sony’s streaming deals with Comcast and Disney are separate from its broadcast syndication agreements with local TV station owners. The deals come nearly a year after Sony sued Paramount on allegations that the latter entered into unauthorized distribution deals in international markets. Paramount has long had the domestic distribution rights to the show for broadcast TV syndication.
Two months ago, a district court in California said Sony could reclaim distribution rights to the show while the case proceeded. An appellate court issued a stay, which paused the transfer of rights. The stay was lifted last week.
