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 TV aims to take over full distribution of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” as early as next week the studio battles CBS in a lawsuit over their longstanding partnership on the syndicated game show stalwarts.