BAZINGA! Our favorite gang of brainiacs in "The Big Bang Theory" are getting renewed for a three season extension and Warner Bros. Television wants to focus on locking down their contracts while the show's cast are planning to negotiate a salary increase.
Certainly good news for CBS no. 1 comedy show, Big Bang Theory will remain on the air until 2017. This is the second time Big Bang Theory has gotten a three-year renewal.
CBS Entertainment chairman, Nina Tassler stated that:
"Comedy is a big part of our schedule, and The Big Bang Theory is the biggest comedy force on television.
"This multiyear deal further strengthens our network's position for future seasons and marks another chapter in the great partnership CBS enjoys with Warner Bros. Television for delivering audiences the best in comedy. We're proud to work with and showcase the incredible talents of [executive producers] Chuck Lorre, Steve Molaro and this amazing cast every week."
Having renewed the show, Warner Bros. Television felt that they needed to lock down the actors into new contracts. The cast of Big Bang Theory also felt that they need something, "raise"anyone? According to The Hollywood Reporter, the shows main stars, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco are negotiating the raise in their salary, from their current $325,000 per episode to $1 million and supporting cast members Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar also wanted increase in salary. Meanwhile, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch have recently signed their new deals.
Well with the show's success it's a about time CBS and Warner Bros. cut them a bigger slice of the cash.
Big Bang Theory has been TV's No. 1 comedy among total viewers since the 2010-11 season. It's on par with Emmy darling Modern Family for TV's top comedy among the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demo for the second season in a row. Season to date, Big Bang Theory is averaging a whopping 19.8 million viewers per week, up 4 percent year-over-year, and an impressive 6.1 among adults under 50. The series is also a hit in syndication on TBS, with repeats often topping some of the Big 4 broadcast networks' original fare and helping that network to build its comedy brand. The series has earned multiple Emmy nominations for best comedy but has yet to take home that trophy.
