SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
March 24, 1997
(Date of earliest event reported)
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
(exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9244 13-2565808
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.)
1700 Broadway, 10019
New York, New York (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive office)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 315-4000
Exhibit index is on page 5 of this filing
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Item 5. Other Events
On March 24, 1997, King World Productions, Inc. (the
"Company") filed an action in California Suprior Court, Los Angeles
County, against the two subsidiaries of Sony Pictures Entertainment that
produce "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" and "JEOPARDY!". In this suit, the Company is
seeking to confirm its rights to produce or license others to produce
strip game shows for distribution in first-run syndication by others as
explicitly recognized in the agreements under which the Company
distributes "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" and "JEOPARDY!". A copy of the Company's
action is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
On May 8, 1997, the defendants filed an answer and
cross-complaint. The cross-complaint alleges that the Company has
breached the distribution agreements with the defendants and seeks a
judgment for damages in an unspecified amount, for termination of the
distribution agreements and/or for reformation (in effect a judicial
rewriting) of the agreements to prohibit the Company from, among other
things, producing any strip game show for first-run syndication. A copy
of the answer and cross-complaint are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.2
and 99.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
On May 13, 1997, the Company issued a press release regarding
developments in its pending litigation with the defendants. A copy of
such press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
99.1 Complaint for Declaratory Relief in King
World Productions, Inc., v. Califon
Productions, Inc., Jeopardy Productions,
Inc., and Does 1 through 10, inclusive, C.A.
No. BC 168 059 (Superior Court of the State
of California for the County of Los Angeles,
filed March 24, 1997).
99.2 Answer to Unverified Complaint in King World
Productions, Inc., vs. Califon Productions,
Inc., Jeopardy Productions, Inc., and Does 1
through 10, inclusive, C.A. No. BC 168 059
(Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of Los Angeles, filed May 8,
1997).
99.3 Cross-Complaint for Breach of Contract,
Termination of Contract and Reformation in
King World Productions, Inc., vs. Califon
Productions, Inc., Jeopardy Productions,
Inc., and Does 1 through 10, inclusive, C.A.
No. BC 168 059 (Superior Court of the State
of California for the County of Los Angeles,
filed May 8, 1997).
99.4 Text of Press Release of the Company dated
May 13, 1997.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
By: /s/ JONATHAN BIRKHAHN
---------------------
Name: Jonathan Birkhahn
Title: Senior Vice
President, Business
Affairs and General
Counsel
DATED: May 13, 1997
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits
99.1 Complaint for Declaratory Relief in King
World Productions, Inc., v. Califon
Productions, Inc., Jeopardy Productions,
Inc., and Does 1 through 10, inclusive, C.A.
No. BC 168 059 (Superior Court of the State
of California for the County of Los Angeles,
filed March 24, 1997).
99.2 Answer to Unverified Complaint in King World
Productions, Inc., vs. Califon Productions,
Inc., Jeopardy Productions, Inc., and Does 1
through 10, inclusive, C.A. No. BC 168 059
(Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of Los Angeles, filed May 8,
1997).
99.3 Cross-Complaint for Breach of Contract,
Termination of Contract and Reformation in
King World Productions, Inc., vs. Califon
Productions, Inc., Jeopardy Productions,
Inc., and Does 1 through 10, inclusive, C.A.
No. BC 168 059 (Superior Court of the State
of California for the County of Los Angeles,
filed May 8, 1997).
99.4 Text of Press Release of the Company dated
May 13, 1997.
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