The Big Bang Theory will live on to reign as the most watched comedy on television. CBS Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television have reached a deal for a two-year renewal of The Big Bang Theory, through the 2018-19 season. The pact comes on the heels of the two companies closing a deal for a spinoff prequel series, Young Sheldon, which is expected to launch next fall behind Big Bang.
The renewal is being announced with no deals in place for Big Bang co-stars Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik, whose contracts also are up at the end of Season 10. They have been negotiating new contracts, and they are close but not closed. The show’s original cast members Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar signed new two-year contracts to continue a few weeks back.
While Big Bang‘s production price tag — covered in large part by CBS at this point in the series’ run — is creeping up to an eye-popping $10 million an episode, the comedy series is in its own league performance-wise. In its 10th season, The Big Bang Theory is the most-watched and highest rated scripted series on television with an average of 19.4 million viewers in Live+7 and a 5.1 Live+7 rating in 18-49. What’s more, Big Bang, the most watched comedy series since 2010-11, is still packing the elusive live audience, averaging more than 14 million live viewers for an original telecast.