Big Bang Theory still a big draw

TORONTO — The Big Bang Theory will finish its 11th season on Thursday as the most-watched TV show in Canada for the eighth time in a row.

That’s the longest consecutive winning streak on record under the current Numeris ratings measure. It surpasses winning runs by such ratings powerhouses in the past as American Idol, Survivor, The Cosby Show, Dallas and All in the Family.

From September through late April, The Big Bang Theory has averaged 2.9 million viewers a week this season on CTV. It has also, for years, been a huge source of revenue for Bell Media in Mondayto-Friday reruns across network and specialty channels, delivering another million-plus viewers every weeknight, 52 weeks a year.

This season’s viewership average will likely sneak past the three-million mark Thursday with this month’s second-biggest TV wedding. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) get set to tie the knot in The Bow Tie Asymmetry. Guest stars include Mark Hamill, Kathy Bates, Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton, with Laurie Metcalf returning as Sheldon’s mom.

Despite riding a winning streak that shows few signs of waning, there is some question as to how much longer The Big Bang Theory will continue. Salaries for the main actors – Parsons, Johnny Galecki (Leonard), Kaley Cuoco (Penny), Simon Helberg (Howard) and Kunal Nayyar (Rajesh) – have reportedly soared to nearly US$1 million per episode, once earnings from syndication and foreign sales are factored in.