Why The Big Bang Theory Just Got Cancelled

3. It's In Decline, And Super Expensive To Make

Leonard Penny Big Bang Theory
CBS

Although the show is still preposterously huge, there are signs of decline among the show's viewership, at least in the 18-49-year-old demographic, which is the one network beancounters pay the most attention to.

The ratings in this demo fell by around 11% for Season 11, which is in keeping with a downwards trend year-on-year of around a similar percentage, with its viewership among 18-49s roughly halving in the past four years. Add to that the fact that the wider cultural response to the show has only gotten worse, and it paints the picture of a show in irreversible decline, which to be fair is expected from such a long-running series.

On top of all that, there's the fact the series is very expensive to make. Not so long ago its five main cast members signed deals to receive $1m per episode and, while they then took pay cuts so others could receive pay rises, the stars alone make it a very expensive proposition, along with the fact it's owned by Warner Bros. rather than CBS, making it even more costly for the network.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.