(CBS) — The hugely popular “The Big Bang Theory” has been renewed for a staggering three more seasons, CBS announced Thursday.
That means the top-rated, critically acclaimed comedy starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch will run through the 2016-2017 season.
“Comedy is a big part of our schedule, and “The Big Bang Theory” is the biggest comedy force on television,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment.
The show, which premiered in Sept. 2007, has been television’s #1 comedy in viewers since 2010-2011 and continues as the #1 comedy in key demographics for the second straight season.
This season, the show’s ratings are up four percent and is averaging 19.79 million viewers. The show is the highest-rated non-sports program in several key demographics.
In addition to high ratings, the show has earned critical acclaim.
The series has won Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series” for star Jim Parsons (2010, 2011, 2013), a People’s Choice Award for “Favorite TV Comedy” (2010, 2013, 2014), Television Critics Association Awards for “Outstanding Achievement in Comedy” (2009, 2013) as well as “Individual Achievement in Comedy” for Parsons (2009). In 2011, Parsons won a Golden Globe for “Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy” while Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting also won a 2014 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Comedic Actress.”
