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Sony Pictures Canada Secures Streaming Deal with Bell Media to Bring Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to Crave

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 5:24 GMT by TheWrap
      Locale: Ontario, CANADA

Sony Pictures Entertainment Canada Secures Streaming Deal with Bell Media – Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Among the First Titles to Air

In a move that underscores the rapid consolidation of the Canadian streaming market, Sony Pictures Entertainment Canada (SPE‑C) announced a multi‑year partnership with Bell Media that will place the Sony catalogue – including long‑running U.S. game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune – on Bell’s flagship platform, Crave, as well as other Bell‑owned digital outlets. The deal, which was unveiled at a joint press conference in Toronto, marks the first time that Sony’s Canadian arm has committed to a streaming strategy that spans both premium subscription services and over‑the‑top (OTT) free‑to‑view content.

What the Deal Entails

• Content Portfolio
  SPE‑C will provide Bell Media with a wide array of titles from Sony’s extensive library, ranging from feature‑film franchises (Spider‑Man, Jumanji, Mad Max) to television series (The Simpsons, The Flash, Hawaii Five‑0) and iconic game‑show formats. The library will be available on Crave – Bell’s paid‑subscription streaming service – for a 3‑year term, with an option to extend for an additional year. In addition, selected Sony titles will appear on Crave’s free‑to‑view arm, Crave‑TV, which is embedded within Bell’s cable offerings.

• Game‑Show Showcase
  Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune have been highlighted as marquee items for the partnership. These shows will be streamed in high‑definition on Crave, giving Canadian viewers immediate access to the full U.S. season and, for the first time, a streaming platform that delivers content on demand rather than just in the traditional broadcast window.

• Digital‑First Distribution
  Beyond the Crave ecosystem, Sony will also supply Bell Media’s new OTT portal, CTV‑V, which will offer a slate of Sony originals and acquired series. This expansion aligns with Bell’s “CTV‑V” strategy to broaden its digital footprint beyond the traditional CTV and CTV‑Aired television channels.

• Canadian Content Compliance
  In line with the Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulations, the deal includes a commitment from Sony to supply a minimum of 30% Canadian‑origin content on Bell’s streaming platforms. This figure meets the CRTC’s requirement for a “Canada First” pipeline of programming on major broadcasters and streaming services.

• Financial & Licensing Details
  While the full financial terms were not disclosed, the contract includes a base licensing fee paid to Sony, alongside a revenue‑sharing arrangement that will trigger when viewership thresholds are met. Sony retains the rights to continue licensing its catalogue to other platforms outside of Canada, ensuring a multi‑channel revenue stream.

Why It Matters for Canadian Media

1. Strengthening Bell’s Competitive Edge
   Bell has been working to keep pace with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+ in Canada. By securing the rights to globally‑recognised shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, Bell can bolster its “value‑proposition” for Canadian subscribers, who increasingly demand high‑quality, on‑demand entertainment.

2. Bolstering Canadian‑First Content
   Sony’s pledge to supply 30% Canadian‑origin programming reflects a broader industry trend. In 2023, the Canadian government increased the CRTC’s minimum content requirements for streaming services, prompting companies to invest in local productions. Sony’s involvement means more opportunities for Canadian writers, directors, and talent to create content that can be distributed both domestically and internationally.

3. Game‑Show Revival
   Game shows have historically thrived on cable and broadcast TV, but their migration to streaming is uneven. With Sony’s game‑show formats on Crave, Canadian viewers will have access to new ways of engaging with these shows – including interactive companion apps, “watch‑party” features, and on‑demand episode downloads.

4. Innovation in Distribution
   The partnership showcases an emerging model: a large studio partnering with a national broadcaster to deliver a hybrid catalogue that spans paid subscription, ad‑supported, and free‑to‑view streams. This could pave the way for similar deals between other Canadian studios and broadcasters, as the country seeks to protect and nurture its media ecosystem.

Key Quotes & Statements

• Peter K. Brown, Head of SPE‑Canada
  “Our partnership with Bell Media is a natural extension of Sony’s global distribution strategy. By bringing Sony’s beloved franchises to Canadian audiences on Crave, we are ensuring that Canadians have the same access to the content they love, regardless of where they choose to watch.”

• Gillian McCauley, Chief Content Officer at Bell Media
  “We are thrilled to bring Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to Crave. These shows are a staple of our cultural landscape, and streaming them allows us to reach a wider audience—including younger viewers who prefer on‑demand consumption.”

• Matt Johnson, CRTC Commissioner
  “This deal demonstrates the viability of a Canadian‑first approach. By guaranteeing 30% Canadian‑origin content, Sony is reinforcing the CRTC’s objective of maintaining a vibrant domestic industry that can compete on a global stage.”

Historical Context & Related Deals

• Sony’s Prior Streaming Partnerships
  Sony has previously signed deals with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Hulu to license its U.S. film and television libraries in various territories. The Bell partnership is the first time Sony’s Canadian arm has committed to a streaming model that explicitly integrates both premium and free‑to‑view services.

• Bell’s Evolution as a Streaming Player
  Bell launched Crave in 2018 as a rebranding of the legacy CBC‑owned “CraveTV” platform. Over the past two years, Bell has aggressively pursued content deals, including exclusive rights to the NBA, the NFL, and various film studios. The SPE‑C deal continues this momentum.

• Canadian Media Consolidation
  The Canadian media landscape has been marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 2022, Bell Media and Rogers Communications announced a strategic partnership that saw the sharing of certain content libraries. The Sony deal further consolidates streaming resources, aligning with the CRTC’s vision of a diversified yet efficient market.

Implications for Canadian Audiences

• Immediate Access to Classic Game‑Shows
  Canadian viewers will no longer need to wait for broadcast re‑airings to catch the latest Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune episodes. Crave’s “watch‑party” feature allows multiple users to synchronize viewing sessions, recreating the communal feel of game‑show viewing.

• Potential for Interactive Features
  Bell is exploring the addition of live quiz overlays and real‑time trivia challenges for its game‑show lineup. If implemented, viewers could participate in a “Jeopardy!”‑style competition while watching the show, blending passive consumption with active engagement.

• Broader Content Diversity
  With the inclusion of Sony’s library, Crave’s catalogue will feature a mix of action‑thrillers, comedies, science‑fiction epics, and period dramas. The platform is now poised to become a one‑stop shop for diverse genres, thereby attracting a broader subscriber base.

Final Thoughts

Sony Pictures Entertainment Canada’s streaming agreement with Bell Media signals a pivotal moment for both entities and for Canadian media as a whole. The deal not only provides fans of classic game shows with on‑demand access but also reinforces Bell’s strategic push toward a more robust, diversified streaming presence. By embedding a substantial Canadian content quota within the partnership, Sony and Bell are simultaneously fulfilling regulatory mandates and fostering a healthier domestic creative ecosystem. For Canadian audiences, this translates into richer, more accessible entertainment options—whether you’re a die‑hard Jeopardy! fan or a casual viewer seeking the latest blockbuster hits.

As streaming continues to reshape how we consume media, deals like this one are likely to become increasingly common. What’s clear is that both Sony and Bell are positioning themselves to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape—one where content, accessibility, and Canadian cultural identity remain at the forefront.