Here are the ratings for The Big Bang Theory; the TV series about lovable geeks (Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar) who are trying to figure out members of the opposite sex (Kaley Cuoco, Sara Gilbert, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik). The fifth season of The Big Bang Theory typically airs Thursday nights at 8pm on the CBS network.

These are the TV show’s ratings for the 2011-12 season, the best way to tell if The Big Bang Theory is a success for CBS. Unlike others, this show is in little danger of getting cancelled for awhile since it’s already been renewed through season eight. Check out our CBS ratings report card to see how this show’s numbers compare with the others on the network.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Final season five averages: 5.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 14.88 million total viewers.

Episode 05-24: Thursday, 05/10/12
4.4 in the demo (-6% episode-to-episode change) with 13.72 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.97 in the demo with 14.88 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 22 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-23: Thursday, 05/03/12
4.7 in the demo (+15% episode-to-episode change) with 13.91 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.00 in the demo with 14.93 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 22 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-22: Thursday, 04/26/12
4.0 in the demo (-7% episode-to-episode change) with 12.65 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.01 in the demo with 14.98 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 22 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-21: Thursday, 04/05/12
4.4 in the demo (-6% episode-to-episode change) with 13.29 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.05 in the demo with 15.09 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-20: Thursday, 03/29/12
4.7 in the demo (-8% episode-to-episode change) with 13.96 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.09 in the demo with 15.18 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-19: Thursday, 03/08/12
5.1 in the demo (-4% episode-to-episode change) with 15.04 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.11 in the demo with 15.24 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-18: Thursday, 02/23/12
5.3 in the demo (+4% episode-to-episode change) with 16.20 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.11 in the demo with 15.25 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-17: Thursday, 02/16/12
5.1 in the demo (-9% episode-to-episode change) with 15.65 million; tied for first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.09 in the demo with 15.20 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-16: Thursday, 02/09/12
5.6 in the demo (+2% episode-to-episode change) with 16.21 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.09 in the demo with 15.17 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-15: Thursday, 02/02/12
5.5 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 16.54 million; tied for first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.06 in the demo with 15.10 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-14: Thursday, 1/26/12
5.5 in the demo (+4% episode-to-episode change) with 16.13 million; tied for first in the timeslot.
Season average: 5.03 in the demo with 15.00 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-13: Thursday, 01/19/12
5.3 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 15.83 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.99 in the demo with 14.91 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-12: Thursday, 01/12/12
5.3 in the demo (+15% episode-to-episode change) with 16.13 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.97 in the demo with 14.84 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 21 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-11: Thursday, 12/08/11
4.6 in the demo (-13% episode-to-episode change) with 14.02 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.94 in the demo with 14.72 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 20 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-10: Thursday, 11/17/11
5.3 in the demo (0% episode-to-episode change) with 15.05 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.97 in the demo with 14.79 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 20 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-09: Thursday, 11/10/11
5.3 in the demo (-2% episode-to-episode change) with 15.89 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.93 in the demo with 14.76 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 20 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-08: Thursday, 11/03/11
5.4 in the demo (+17% episode-to-episode change) with 15.98 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.89 in the demo with 14.62 million.
Demo average rank: #2 of 20 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-07: Thursday, 10/27/11
4.6 in the demo (-10% episode-to-episode change) with 14.54 million; second in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.81 in the demo with 14.42 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 20 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-06: Thursday, 10/20/11
5.1 in the demo (+10% episode-to-episode change) with 14.93 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.8 in the demo with 14.4 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 19 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-05: Thursday, 10/13/11
4.6 in the demo (+2% episode-to-episode change) with 13.58 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.8 in the demo with 14.3 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 19 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-04: Thursday, 10/6/11
4.5 in the demo (-8% episode-to-episode change) with 13.92 million; first in the timeslot.
Season average: 4.8 in the demo with 14.48 million.
Demo average rank: #3 of 19 scripted TV shows on the network (Fall 2011 – Spring 2012).

Episode 05-03: Thursday, 9/29/11
In week two, Big Bang remained at the same level as the first week’s 8pm episode with a 4.9 rating and 14.74 million viewers. Again, it easily won its timeslot, this time by a full ratings point.
Season average: 5.0 demo with 14.66 million.

Episode 05-02: Thursday, 9/22/11
The second episode of the night did even better than the first with a 5.1 rating in the demo and 14.94 million. It was in first place for the timeslot once again.
Season average: 5.0 demo with 14.62 million.

Episode 05-01: Thursday, 9/22/11
CBS gave us two episodes to kick off the season and they both did quite well. The first one attracted a 4.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 14.3 million viewers. That matched the year ago demo and was easily first in its the timeslot.

Reference point: The 2010-11 season averaged a 4.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 12.61 million viewers.

Note: These ratings are collected by the Nielsen company and are the final national numbers. These are different from the fast affiliate numbers which are just estimates of the actual ratings and are reported on by most other outlets. The final nationals are typically released within 24 hours of the programming or, in the case of weekends and holidays, a couple days later.

What do you think? Do you like The Big Bang Theory TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or keep on going right through season eight and beyond?

Image courtesy CBS.