The Big Bang Theory Site

Episode 5.14 Ratings: Bigger than American Idol 20 hours ago

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory finished ahead of American Idol in the ratings for the same half-hour period. The Big Bang Theory was the night's highest-rated and most-watched scripted show.

"The Beta Test Initiation" was watched by 15.96 million people, up from 15.83m last week, and scored a 9.6/15 rating in households. The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.4/14 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic, up by one tenth of a ratings point from last week. The Big Bang Theory also scored a 6.8/17 among adults 25-54 and a 4.0/13 rating in the 18-34 demo.

When compared to American Idol in the common half-hour (8:00-8:30), The Big Bang Theory finished first in total viewers, adults 25-54, adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. Idol's ratings for that time-period were 15.46m viewers, 4.8/14 in the 18-49 demo, 5.9/15 among adults 25-54 and 3.4/11 in  the 18-34 demo. When measured across the hour as a whole, American Idol finishes first in total viewers with 16.99m audience and ties Big Bang in the 18-49 demo.

The Big Bang Theory matched its Thursday-highs in the adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 ratings and matched its second-best Thursday ratings among adults 25-54.

Big Bang Theory tops American Idol in key ratings January 20 2012

The Big Bang Theory finished ahead of Fox behemoth American Idol in the key 18-49 ratings demographic last night. Idol, now in its eleventh season, dominated the night's ratings, despite a year to year decline of around 25% in its ratings.

The 100th episode of The Big Bang Theory was watched by 15.83 million people, down only marginally from last week's audience of 16.13 million viewers. The Big Bang Theory finished second, behind Idol, in total viewers and households.

In the important 18-49 demographic, Big Bang beat American Idol in the same half-hour period with a 5.3/15 rating to Idol's 5.2/15. Idol's 18-49 rating rose to 5.7/15 for the 8 o'clock hour as a whole. Both Big Bang and Idol were adjusted up a tenth of a rating point in the final ratings. The Big Bang Theory matched its 18-49 rating from last week, seemingly unhurt by the return of the popular reality show. The Big Bang Theory was the night's most-watched and highest-rated scripted program. American Idol was the top show of the night overall.

Episode 5.13 Ratings January 20 2012

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory finished a strong second in the ratings for its time slot and narrowly beat American Idol in the key adults 18-49 demographic.

The 100th episode of The Big Bang Theory, "The Recombination Hypothesis", was watched by 15.71 million people, down slightly from last week's recent high of 16.13m viewers. In the ever important adults 18-49 demographic, The Big Bang Theory was down only a tenth of a rating point from last week with a 5.2/14 rating. The 18-49 rating puts The Big Bang Theory narrowly ahead of Idol, which scored a 5.1 rating in the half hour. The Big Bang Theory finished second in the ratings by total viewers and households and was the night's highest-rated scripted program.

CBS Announces Episode 5.15 January 19 2012

CBS has announced the February 2nd episode of The Big Bang Theory. Kevin Sussman reprises his role as Stuart in the episode. NASA astronaut Mike Massimino makes a cameo appearance in the show.

"The Friendship Contraction" – Sheldon's selfish demands force Leonard to reconsider their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his astronaut nickname, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Feb. 2 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. NASA astronaut Mike Massimino guest stars as himself.

You can find more information about the episode in our Episode Guide.

Episode 5.12 Ratings January 13 2012

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory, the first original episode of 2012, finished first in its timeslot and was the highest rated show of the night.

"The Shiny Trinket Maneuver" was watched by 15.93 million people, up by 1.9m from the last original episode. The Big Bang Theory scored a 9.4/15 rating in households and received its largest audience since November 3, 2011. In the important adults 18-49 demographic, The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.2/15 rating, up from 4.6/14 on December 8, 2011. This was The Big Bang Theory's best performance in the 18-49 demo since November 17, 2011. In the adults 25-54 demographic, the show scored a 6.9/17 rating, its highest rating since March 8, 2010. The Big Bang Theory finished first in slot by all key metrics and was the most-watched and highest-rated show of the night.

CBS's new sitcom Rob Schneider sitcom, Rob!, got off to a strong start last night following The Big Bang Theory. The show's debut held 81% of Big Bang's audience to finish first in its time period with 13.48m viewers and a 4.1/11 rating in the 18-49 demo.

CBS Announces Episode 5.14 January 12 2012

CBS has announced the January 26 episode of The Big Bang Theory. John Ross Bowie reprises his role as Barry Kripke in the episode.

"The Beta Test Initiation" – Leonard and Penny experiment with dating, while Raj develops a peculiar relationship with his phone’s virtual assistant, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Jan. 26 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

You can read more about the episode in our Episode Guide.

CBS Announces Episode 5.13 January 3 2012

CBS has announced the 100th episode of The Big Bang Theory will air Thursday, January 19th.

"The Recombination Hypothesis" - Everything might change when Leonard offers Penny a spur of the moment invitation to a romantic dinner for two, on the 100th episode of THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Jan. 19 (8:00 - 8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

You can read more about the episode in our Episode Guide.

CBS Announces Episode 5.12 December 20 2011

CBS has announced the next episode of The Big Bang Theory, which will air January 12th, 2012.

"The Shiny Trinket Maneuver" – Sheldon gets in trouble with Amy when he isn't impressed by her recent accomplishment, and Howard must come to grips with Bernadette's dislike of children, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Jan. 12 (8:00 - 8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

You can read more about the episode in our Episode Guide.

Johnny Galecki receives Golden Globe nomination December 15 2011

Johnny Galecki was today nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his work on The Big Bang Theory. He was nominated in the Best Actor in a TV Series - Comedy category, alongside 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin, Californication's David Duchovny, Hung's Thomas Jane and Episodes' Matt LeBlanc.

This is Galecki's first nomination at the Golden Globe Awards. Last year, Galecki's Big Bang co-star Jim Parsons was nominated for the same award and went on to win it. The Big Bang Theory was also nominated for Best Musical or Comedy Series award last year, though that award went to Glee.

The 69th Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast Sunday, January 15th on NBC and will be hosted by Ricky Gervais.

'Big Bang' cast receive SAG Award nomination December 14 2011

The cast of The Big Bang Theory was today nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award. The show's cast was nominated for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award. This was the show's first nomination at the SAG Awards.

The other contenders for the award are the casts of 30 Rock, Glee, Modern Family and The Office. Modern Family won the award last year.

The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be broadcast live January 29th on TNT and TBS.