( CNN ) Judge Judy Sheindlin 's contract has been renewed through 2020 , it was announced Monday by Armando Nunez , president and CEO of the CBS Global Distribution Group . The new contract includes a first-look production deal with Queen Bee Productions , which is owned by Judy Sheindlin . This past season , Queen Bee and CBS launched `` Hot Bench , '' a show that quickly has become one of the highest-rated new hits on daytime television , averaging 2.3 million viewers a day ( when multiple airings are combined ) . The show `` Judge Judy '' is already set through the 2017 season . It is typical that the creator 's deal is renewed before they renew the show itself . That is expected shortly . Other than the extension through 2020 , there were no details announced about the contract for Sheindlin , 72 , who has been starring on Judge Judy since September 1996 . She is reportedly is among the highest-paid personalities on television , earning about $ 45 million a year under her old contract ( and without factoring in earnings from Hot Bench ) . `` I 'm thrilled to be working with my CBS family for five more years and very excited about this new adventure in production , '' said Sheindlin . `` I loved the experience of creating and developing Hot Bench and look forward to replicating its success with more new , compelling and smart TV . '' Said Nunez : `` She is a true television icon who entertains and inspires millions of fans each day on Judge Judy . We look forward to continuing to provide our station partners with her highly successful show and to working with her to create the next generation of hits . '' `` Judge Judy '' is the highest-rated regular series in all of TV syndication , regularly outdrawing such iconic shows as Wheel of Fortune and top-rated talkers like Ellen and Dr. Phil . In its 19th season , Judge Judy is averaging 10.3 million viewers a day . Among court shows , it has been the top program nearly since it went on the air . It now has been No . 1 in the genre for 969 consecutive weeks . `` Judge Judy '' is produced by Big Ticket Pictures , a division of CBS , and is distributed by CBS Television Distribution . Randy Douthit is executive producer and director . Hot Bench was created by Sheindlin and is executive produced by Douthit and Maureen FitzPatrick . It features a panel of three judges -- Patricia DiMango , Tanya Acker and Larry Bakman -- who take viewers behind the scenes to share in their deliberations before a verdict is rendered . Hot Bench also is produced by Big Ticket Pictures and Queen Bee Productions and is distributed by CTD , which distributes 10 five-run shows in syndication . ©2015 The Hollywood Reporter . All rights reserved .
The new contract includes a first look deal . Her court show is set through its 19th season . `` Judge Judy '' is the highest-rated regular series in all of TV syndication .