Though The Big Bang Theory continues to be one of the highest-rated TV shows on network television, the ratings have been declining year after year. The show has also become more and more expensive to produce. While the sitcom surely won’t be cancelled by CBS, could this end up being the last season? Or, are we essentially guaranteed to see an 11th season for 2017-18? Stay tuned.
The Big Bang Theory revolves around a group of brilliant but socially-challenged scientists and they’ve come a long way. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) have finally gotten married. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) have taken their relationship to the next level. Howard (Simon Helberg) and his wife, Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), are expecting their first child. And Rajesh (Kunal Nayyar), he hasn’t quite settled down just yet.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — usually the next day, around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
5/12 update: You can see the latest night’s ratings in context.
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For comparisons: The ninth season of The Big Bang Theory averaged a 3.73 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 15.21 million total viewers (live + same day ratings).
Note: These are the Live + Same Day Ratings which include “live” viewing plus delayed DVR viewing, up until 3am local time that same night. Ratings marked with an “*” are the fast affiliate ratings and will be updated with the Live+SD numbers when they are made available. Typically, networks get paid for C+3 ratings which includes DVR viewing within three days of the original airing when commercials are watched. Those numbers are rarely released to the press.
What do you think? Do you still like The Big Bang Theory TV series? Do you expect it to continue beyond season 12, or end there?
3/20 update: The Big Bang Theory has been renewed for season 11 and season 12. Details here.
The show has run it’s course and should be cancelled. They have run out of ways to use the same jokes again and again like so many other shows. Please put it to bed, it’s just not funny anymore.