The Big Bang Theory – US And World Wide Ratings – Although the show received mixed reactions at first, it later gained a more positive reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 81% approval rating from critics. Metacritic gives it a score of 61 out of 100, based on reviews from 27 critics, suggesting generally favorable feedback. In 2013, TV Guide even ranked the series #52 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time.
Rating In USA
The ratings trajectory of The Big Bang Theory highlights its rise from modest beginnings to a dominant force in television. During its first season, the show ranked 68th, failing to crack the top 50. It improved in its second season, reaching 40th place. By the time the third season premiered in September 2009, the show had become CBS’s highest-rated program for the night in the key 18–49 demographic, achieving a then-series high of 12.83 million viewers.
Initially airing on Mondays, CBS moved the show to Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET for the 2010–2011 season. This strategic shift placed it against NBC’s Comedy Block and Fox’s American Idol. By the fourth season, The Big Bang Theory had become the highest-rated comedy overall, though it ranked second in the 18–49 demographic behind Modern Family. The fifth season saw viewership surpass 14 million for its premiere.
The show’s sixth season marked a significant milestone. Episodes consistently hit new highs, including “The Bakersfield Expedition,” which drew 20 million viewers—a first for the series. This achievement, alongside NCIS, made CBS the first network since 2007 to have two scripted series reach such large audiences in the same week. During this period, the show was the most-watched scripted series in the 18–49 demographic, trailing only NBC’s Sunday Night Football in overall ratings. Season seven continued this momentum, with “The Deception Verification” reaching a peak of 20.44 million viewers.
Showrunner Steve Molaro, who took over from Bill Prady in season six, attributed much of the show’s success to its deeper character development and relationships, such as Leonard and Penny’s on-again, off-again romance. The show also benefited from syndication exposure, particularly on TBS, and the earlier timeslot move.
In syndication, The Big Bang Theory performed exceptionally well during the 2012–13 season, topping syndication ratings and surpassing Judge Judy for the first time. However, Judge Judy reclaimed the top spot the following year, with The Big Bang Theory falling to second.
The Big Bang Theory – US And World Wide Ratings
UK distribution and ratings
The Big Bang Theory debuted in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 on February 14, 2008. Initially, the show aired as a “first-look” on E4, Channel 4’s digital counterpart, before being broadcast on the main channel. While its ratings were insufficient for regular primetime on Channel 4, it performed well on E4, which became the show’s primary UK home.
Starting with the third season, episodes were split into two parts to spread new content across the year, reflecting its growing popularity. The first part of season three premiered on December 17, 2009, at 9:00 PM, with the second part airing from May 6, 2010, in the same timeslot. By the fourth season, the show saw significant audience growth. Its premiere on November 4, 2010, drew 877,000 viewers on E4 and an additional 256,000 on E4+1, totaling 1.13 million viewers and making it E4’s most-watched program that week.
The trend continued with the fifth season’s premiere on November 3, 2011, at 8:00 PM as part of E4’s “Comedy Thursdays.” Episode 19 became the season’s highest-rated episode, attracting 1.4 million viewers. Season six premiered on November 15, 2012, breaking records with 1.89 million viewers, plus an additional 469,000 on E4+1, for a total of 2.31 million. This was E4’s highest-rated program of the year and its most-watched since mid-2011. The show returned in mid-2013 to complete the season’s episodes.
Season seven launched on October 31, 2013, at 8:30 PM, delivering record-breaking ratings for E4. The eighth season premiered on October 23, 2014, sharing its timeslot with 2 Broke Girls in early 2015. After the initial run of 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory resumed its eighth season on March 19, 2015.
On February 13, 2016, Netflix UK & Ireland announced that seasons 1–8 of The Big Bang Theory would be available for streaming starting February 15, 2016, further expanding the show’s accessibility to UK audiences.
Canadian ratings
The Big Bang Theory had a modest start in Canada but evolved into a major hit in later seasons. The show airs nationwide on the CTV Television Network, often through simultaneous substitution with CBS affiliates across the border. Its growing popularity also led to daily reruns on the Canadian cable channel, The Comedy Network.
The season 4 premiere attracted an impressive 3.1 million Canadian viewers, marking the largest audience for a sitcom since the series finale of Friends. Over time, its viewership continued to grow, and The Big Bang Theory ultimately became the most-watched entertainment show on Canadian television.
Conclusion – The Big Bang Theory – US And World Wide Ratings
The success of The Big Bang Theory reflects its evolution from a modestly received sitcom in its first season to one of the most popular shows on television. With steadily increasing viewership and a consistent presence in the top ranks of television ratings, the series became a cultural phenomenon. Its appeal across various demographics, supported by strong character development, witty humor, and strategic scheduling, cemented its status as a fan favorite. Even in its final season, the show maintained impressive ratings, proving its enduring popularity and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of television comedy.
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