Sony Pictures Television , which produces syndicated TV game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!", told distributor CBS Studios on Monday that it is taking back global distribution of the programs because of alleged contract violations by CBS.

CBS Media Ventures is fighting to retain distribution rights to the popular game shows. Sony Pictures owns and produces the shows. The contract governing distribution was cemented in the early 1980s.

Doubt Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White will be saying the letters C-B-S this week on Wheel of Fortune, but the still Shari Redstone-owned company just lost a hold on one of its gameshow goldmines, at least according to Sony.

Sony Pictures Television has assumed global distribution functions for syndicated TV game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" citing failure by CBS Studios to live up to contract terms, the company said in a letter to CBS on Monday.

Culver City-based Sony said it would send new episodes directly to television stations, escalating the contract dispute with CBS. Paramount-owned CBS said it would go to court to try to block Sony's action.

Sony Pictures Television says it’s taking over the distribution rights for top game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! from Paramount-owned CBS starting the week of February 10th, reports Bloomberg,