CBS has handed out a hefty three-season renewal for The Big Bang Theory.
The pickup takes TV's No. 1 comedy among adults 18-49 through season 10 and extends the series through the 2016-17 season.
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"Comedy is a big part of our schedule, and The Big Bang Theory is the biggest comedy force on television,” CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler said. "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.”
The deal marks the second time the series, starring Emmy winner Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, has earned a massive three-season renewal.
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Now that the series has been locked up, studio Warner Bros. Television will now focus on the stars Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco, who are all seeking hefty salary increases. Sources told THR in September that the trio, who currently earn $325,000 per episode are seeking up to $1 million per half-hour. They're expected to negotiate together, while stars Helberg and Nayyar are also looking for increases and will negotiate together. Emmy nominee Bialik and Rauch recently inked new deals with WBTV, with both securing raises.
Big Bang Theory has been TV's No. 1 comedy among total viewers since the 2010-11 season. It's on par to top 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.
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The Big Bang Theory renewal marks CBS' first scripted pickup for the 2014-15 season, with negotiations underway for other scripted fare including veteran procedurals CSI, NCIS, Hawaii Five-0 and comedies including Lorre's Two and a Half Men, Mom and Mike & Molly, among others.
Securing Big Bang Theory's future was a top priority for the network, which this season will bid farewell to Monday staple How I Met Your Mother. CBS recently scored rights to Thursday night NFL games, likely pushing Big Bang Theory to a new night for the first few episodes of its eighth season.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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