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Big Bang Theory tipped for 2 season renewal

Hit sitcom could reach its 12 season with stars set to renew for $1m an episode.

The Big Bang Theory looks set for a two season renewal by CBS, with reports principal cast members are finalising new contracts.

Deadline reports Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are believed to be close to what the cast are currently receiving, around $1m an episode. Negotiations are expected to gain momentum with co-stars Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik, whose contracts also are up.

The deal is expected to encompass a full 24 episodes per season.

If negotiations between CBS and Warner Bros TV conclude successfully, it would bring the hit series to 12 seasons.

Three years ago, original stars Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco negotiated together for equal salary, as did Helberg and Nayyar, who were then in a different tier. But all five reached parity at about $1 million an episode, with Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco also negotiating an increase in their ownership stake, and Galecki and Parsons received producing deals at WBTV.

Rauch and Bialik, both introduced as guest stars in Season 3 and becoming regulars in Season 4, had been earning $175,000 an episode in their most recent deal, according to sources. Because their characters have become an integral and equal part of the show’s ensemble, with Bialik earning four Emmy nominations for her role, and because of where they are salary-wise due to their later start on the show, both are primed for a major salary bump for the next two seasons.

Variety notes the deal also comes as CBS and Warner Bros. TV are developing a prequel project focusing on the formative years of the Sheldon Cooper. Parsons is on board that project as an executive producer along with showrunner Steven Molaro, who is writing the script.

Despite its whopping $10m an episode pricetag, the series has generated more than $1 billion for Warner Bros TV in syndication revenue.

7 Responses

  1. On the face of it the figures quoted seem obscene. I’m sure their agents, going into bat, argue that “hey, my client can kiss the rest of their career goodbye as they will forever be seen as playing XXXX character”
    As a struggling actor you’d champ at the bit to have a regular paycheck, then you become popular, then you want a bit more and finally the penny drops…this is where my career peaks (popularity wise). Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but not many. Hard to see Jim Parsons getting cast in a real straight dramatic role now.

    1. Looks like he is in the new movie, Hidden Figures. Simon Helberg was amazing in Florence Foster Jenkins.
      They are both versatile actors, but the others, especially Raj and Bernadette, might find it difficult to break out.

      1. Yes Jim Parsons is in that film, I actually went and saw it last night and he is really good in it, as he was in Visions with Isla Fisher and Wish I was Here with Zack Braff.

  2. So at 1 million dollars per episode and with the repeat showings of the show in Australia alone, that means they’re earning about $50 per episode showing. Of course I kid at that rate, however if any team of a Sit-Com deserve to earn big dollars it is this one. Not my cup of tea as a show, though I have to admit between all the showings around the world and DVD sales etc., they should earn a lot out of their work.

  3. I was late to the Big Bang Party and have watched all seasons but I think it’s run out of steam. I’d like one more season just to give everyone a decent send off then end it with dignity.

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