CBS Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television have reached a two-year broadcast agreement for the top-rated, acclaimed comedy The Big Bang Theory. With the new agreement, broadcast television's #1 scripted series in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 has been renewed through the 2018-2019 season. The news comes just a week after CBS issued a series order for its Big Bang Theory spin-off entitled Young Sheldon, which centers on the life of a young Sheldon Cooper at the age of 9, living with his family in East Texas and going to high school.
The Big Bang Theory, which premiered in September 2007, has been television's #1 comedy in viewers since 2010-2011 and continues as the #1 comedy in key demographics for the fifth straight season. This season, The Big Bang Theory is averaging 19.40 million viewers, 5.1/19 in adults 18-49 and 6.9/21 in adults 25-54, ranking as broadcast television's highest-rated scripted series in all these demographics. CBS' official announcement today confirms a report from last month that the comedy series was being eyed for a two-season renewal.
The Big Bang Theory has earned critical acclaim and award recognition. The series has won Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" for star Jim Parsons (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014), a People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Television Critics Association Awards for "Outstanding Achievement in Comedy" (2009, 2013) and "Individual Achievement in Comedy" for Parsons (2009). In 2011, Parsons won a Golden Globe for "Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy," a Critics' Choice Television Award for "Best Actor in a Comedy Series" in 2014, and a 2017 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Comedic TV Actor." Kaley Cuoco won People's Choice Awards for "Favorite Comedic TV Actress" in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, Mayim Bialik won a Critics' Choice Television Award for "Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series."
The Big Bang Theory Season 11 will bring back stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch. Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Steven Molaro are executive producers. The series is from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady are series creators. The series is currently on a brief hiatus, with the show returning to continue its Season 10 run on Thursday, March 30 with the new episode The Collaboration Fluctuation, the 19th episode of Season 10.
While The Big Bang Theory spin-off entitled Young Sheldon does have a series order, it remains to be seen where it will be placed on CBS' lineup, or if it will debut this fall or in mid-season. Iain Armitage stars as 9-year-old Sheldon Cooper, with the cst also including Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Raegan Revord and Montana Jordan. Jon Favreau has come aboard to direct the pilot episode from a script by series creators Chuck Lorre & Steven Molaro. Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak will all serve as executive producers on Young Sheldon.