In an age when TV sitcoms are really struggling and networks are really having to fight for viewers, there is at least one show that is truly thriving.The Big Bang Theoryhas been going strong for almost 10 whole seasons now and if all goes well, and all signs now point to that being the case, there will be plenty moreBig Bangon the way. It looks like CBS knows what they have, and they are putting up the money to verify thatThe Big Bang Theorywill continue on at least through season 12.
According to a new report fromDeadline, CBS is close to working out their deal with Warner Bros. to renewThe Big Bang Theoryfor two more seasons. This was confirmed by CBS during a recent call that was being held to discuss the network’s quarter 4 earnings. Perhaps more importantly, the report notes that cast membersJim Parsons,Johnny Galecki,Kaley Cuoco,Simon HelbergandKunal Nayyarare all in “final negotiations” for new two-year contracts, which would bring the series to a grand total of 12 seasons. Back beforeThe Big Bang Theoryseason 8 entered production, CBS had issues closing new deals with the cast members, but that doesn’t appear to be the case this time. Here is what the report had to say about the new deal for the cast.
“I hear the five original stars, Parsons, Galecki, Cuoco, Helberg and Nayyar, are getting the same salary under “most favored nations” terms, ensuring financial parity among the quintet. Thepaychecksare believed to be pretty close to what the five are making this season, around $1 million an episode.”
The Big Bang Theoryco-starsMelissa RauchandMayim Bialikare also going to need to re-up on their contracts should CBS complete the deal to bring back the hit comedy for two more seasons. The report notes that if the five core cast members for the series get their deal done, it will make things easier moving forward withMelissa RauchandMayim Bialik, who didn’t become regulars untilThe Big Bang Theoryseason 4. They are reportedly making $175,000 an episode currently, which is quite a bit less than the $1 million per episode that the other members of the cast are currently making. It is expected that, since they have both become major parts of the show since their last deal was made, they will be getting a serious pay bump for the next two seasons.
All of these salaries for the actors, coupled with the production budget for the show are makingThe Big Bang Theorya very expensive show to produce. According to Deadline, the show is nearing production costs of $10 million per episode, which really adds up over the course of 24 episodes per season. That said, CBS has made nearly $1 billion from syndicatingThe Big Bang Theoryalone, so it is money well spent. Here is what TNT and TBS presidentKevin Raillyhad to say about it in January.
“If there was another Big Bang Theory, I can promise you we’d buy it.”
CBS is currently developing aBig Bang Theoryspinoff calledSheldon, which will focus on a younger version ofJim Parsons' character and his family, which is looking to make it to air next year. So they are definitely trying to cash in on the series in any way they can.The Big Bang Theoryis a true anomaly in terms of success in the modern landscape, as it is the number one scripted show on TV, bringing in more viewers than evenSunday Night Footballcan manage, with an average of more than 20 million viewers per episode. That being the case, it is no wonder that CBS is eager to keep the series going as long as they possibly can.
