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.

The fight between Sony and CBS over 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy' intenisifies as Sony aims to take over distribution of the shows by next week.

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.