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 has informed CBS Studios that it will take over full distribution of syndicated game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" as early as next week as a legal battle between the two studios heats up.

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.