'Wheel of Fortune's Sajak, White and 'Jeopardy!'s Trebek Renewed Through 2017-18

By Paige Albiniak
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

All three hosts of syndication’s top-rated game shows, Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak and Vanna White and Jeopardy!’s Alex Trebek, have renewed their contracts with producer Sony Pictures Television through the 2017-18 TV season, said Harry Friedman, executive producer of both shows.  

“The enduring success of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! serves as a testament to the talents of these remarkable hosts,” said Friedman in a statement. “The renewal of their contracts continues the special bond that Pat, Vanna and Alex have formed with generations of TV viewers."

Wheel of Fortune, which averages 11.4 million viewers daily, is in its 32nd season, while Jeopardy! is in its 31st season and brings in 10.7 million viewers daily. In the just concluded February sweep, Wheel of Fortune averaged a 7.6 live plus same day rating in households, up 3% compared to last February, while Jeopardy! averaged a 7.4, up 6% compared to Feb. 2014.

Both shows are produced by Sony Pictures Television, and are distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International. 

Paige Albiniak
Paige Albiniak

Contributing editor Paige Albiniak has been covering the business of television for more than 25 years. She is a longtime contributor to Next TV, Broadcasting + Cable and Multichannel News. She concurrently serves as editorial director for The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (G.E.M.A.). She has written for such publications as TVNewsCheck, The New York Post, Variety, CBS Watch and more. Albiniak was B+C’s Los Angeles bureau chief from September 2002 to 2004, and an associate editor covering Congress and lobbying for the magazine in Washington, D.C., from January 1997 - September 2002.