Wheel of Fortune Ratings Climb in Season 44

The long-running game show's viewership rose across linear TV and streaming as Sony Pictures Television takes over marketing and affiliate relations.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Television

Wheel of Fortune Ratings Climb in Season 44

Live Poll

Do you watch TV game shows like Wheel of Fortune on streaming rather than live TV?

Wheel of Fortune averaged 8.59 million linear viewers in Season 44, up 17% from last year, with its household rating reaching 4.8, up 16%. Streaming viewership grew 78% in total viewers this season.

Why it matters

The ratings gains come as Sony Pictures Television assumes marketing, promotions and affiliate relations for the show this fall. The growth signals sustained audience interest in a program that remains the No. 1 entertainment program on television.

Season 44 linear viewership averaged 8.59 million, up 17% year over year, while total viewers across the season reached nearly 37 million. The source does not break out how much of the streaming growth comes from viewers who did not also watch the broadcast.

The players

Sony Pictures Television

The studio behind a wide range of scripted and unscripted programming, which now handles marketing and international distribution for Wheel of Fortune.

CBS Media Ventures

The distribution arm of CBS that currently retains domestic distribution rights to Wheel of Fortune through 2027-2028.

Ryan Seacrest

The media personality who co-hosts Wheel of Fortune alongside Vanna White.

Vanna White

The longtime letter-turning co-host of Wheel of Fortune who has been part of the show for decades.

The details

Season 44 added a new opening round called Fortune Frenzy, which gives contestants 30 seconds to solve as many puzzles as possible. Hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White continue to lead the show, which streams on Peacock, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Canada's Crave the day after broadcast.

Last year: CBS Media Ventures and Sony Pictures Television settled their distribution battle, with Sony taking international distribution.
This fall: Sony Pictures Television takes over marketing, promotions and affiliate relations from CBS.
2027-2028: Sony takes over domestic distribution of Wheel of Fortune from CBS Media Ventures.

Industry Dynamics

The ratings growth reflects the broader shift of long-running syndicated shows toward multi-platform streaming, where next-day availability on Peacock, Hulu and Crave extends reach beyond the broadcast window. Distribution changes between CBS Media Ventures and Sony Pictures Television show how studios are reorganizing control of mature franchises as streaming reshapes how they earn audiences.

Viewers can watch new episodes on Peacock, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Canada's Crave the day after broadcast, so the streaming option now complements the regular TV schedule. The fall handover of marketing to Sony does not change where episodes air, though the source does not specify any changes to subscription pricing.

The takeaway

Long-running shows can grow their audiences by pairing traditional broadcast with next-day streaming access. Viewers who follow Wheel of Fortune on linear TV and on streaming both contribute to the show's reach this season.