That is massive information for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune followers. For the primary time, the syndicated recreation reveals are headed for a streaming deal. Sony Photos Leisure is pushing this transfer to hunt a bigger, youthful viewers.
In response to The New York Occasions, the corporate mentioned on Thursday, February 27, that it’s “soliciting bids from main media and tech firms for the streaming rights to new episodes of the 2 collection for the primary time. ”
Sony is in talks with a number of streaming providers and is predicted to clinch a deal by April. The rights for the 2 reveals might begin in September and doubtlessly final for 3 years. They are going to be out there to observe on the successful service the day after they air on syndicated tv. The outlet mentioned that same-day rights to new episodes will begin in September 2028 when the pre-existing syndication offers expire.
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune nonetheless herald roughly seven million viewers every night time with out being on any streaming platforms, in response to Nielsen. Nonetheless, that viewers is getting older and reducing, identical to most of community tv.
“The world is altering round us,” Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony’s TV division, instructed The Occasions. “Consumption on streaming is now overtaking consumption of different types of supply of tv. Huge iconic franchises, just like the NFL, the NBA. and WWE, are shifting over.”
WWE Uncooked started streaming on Netflix in January. The NFL streams Thursday video games on Amazon Prime Video, with different video games on syndicated tv. Awards reveals are additionally taking this route, because the 2025 SAG Awards have been streamed completely on Netflix. The Academy Awards on March 2 may even stream dwell on Hulu for the primary time.
Ravi Ahuja, Sony’s chief government, instructed The Occasions, “Persons are working throughout city on the lookout for mental property. After I acquired right here, it was clear that Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have been the proverbial belongings hiding in plain sight. There was full consciousness within the nation, large viewership, and a passionate fan base. All of that pointed to a giant alternative for extra development.” He has been brainstorming methods to maneuver the sport reveals to streaming since he joined Sony 4 years in the past.
Jeopardy! has already moved to streaming with its spinoff, Pop Tradition Jeopardy!, hosted by Colin Jost, on Prime Video.
Wheel of Fortune is cohosted by Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. Seacrest took over for Pat Sajak in 2024 after he introduced his retirement. All variations of syndicated Jeopardy! are hosted by Ken Jennings.
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, weekdays, examine native listings