Big Bang Theory Development Timeline

(1917 - Present)

The Big Bang Theory is the leading scientific explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe. This timeline traces its development from early theoretical foundations by Einstein and Friedmann, through Lemaître's primeval atom hypothesis and Hubble's observations of galactic expansion, to the discovery of the cosmic microwave background and precision cosmology of the modern era. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Original Series

Unaired pilot produced for the 2006–07 season

2006 - 2007

A different pilot was produced for the 2006–07 television season but never aired. The concept was later reworked into the version that CBS ultimately picked up.

CBS orders 13 episodes after reworked pilot

May 14, 2007

The reworked second pilot led to a 13-episode order by CBS on May 14, 2007, greenlighting the series for its first run.

Series premiere on CBS

Sep 24, 2007

The show's pilot episode premiered on September 24, 2007, on CBS in the United States, introducing audiences to Leonard and Sheldon and their friends.

Theme song released commercially

Oct 2007

In October 2007, a full-length (1 minute and 45 seconds) version of the Barenaked Ladies theme song was released commercially.

Picked up for full 22-episode season

Oct 19, 2007

After a strong start, the show was picked up for a full 22-episode season on October 19, 2007.

Image source: The Big Bang Theory

Production halted by Writers Guild strike

Nov 6, 2007

Production was halted on November 6, 2007, due to the Writers Guild of America strike, interrupting the first season.

Temporarily replaced by Welcome to The Captain

Feb 4, 2008

Nearly three months after production halted, on February 4, 2008, the series was temporarily replaced by a short-lived sitcom, Welcome to The Captain.

Season 1 returns; only 17 episodes produced

Mar 17, 2008

The series returned on March 17, 2008, in an earlier time slot, and ultimately only 17 episodes were produced for the first season due to the strike.

Image source: The Big Bang Theory season 1

Season 1 returns; only 17 episodes produced

Second season premieres

Sep 22, 2008

After the strike ended, the show was picked up for a second season, airing in the 2008–2009 season and premiering in the same time slot on September 22, 2008.

Image source: The Big Bang Theory season 2

Two-year renewal through 2010–11 season

2009

With increasing ratings, the show received a two-year renewal through the 2010–11 season in 2009.

Season 3 premiere sets ratings high

Sep 21, 2009

When the third season premiered on September 21, 2009, The Big Bang Theory ranked as CBS's highest-rated show that evening among adults 18–49 (4.6/10) with a then-series-high 12.83 million viewers.

Image source: The Big Bang Theory season 3

Three-season pickup in 2011

2011

In 2011, the show was picked up for three more seasons, securing its future through the mid-2010s.

Mystic Warlords of Ka'a becomes real game

2011

Fictional games featured on the show, like Mystic Warlords of Ka'a, became a reality in 2011, alongside recurring gags such as Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.

Bialik and Rauch renegotiate contracts

Sep 2013

In September 2013, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch renegotiated the contracts they had held since being introduced to the series in 2010.

Three-year renewal through 2016–17

Mar 2014

In March 2014, the show was renewed again for three more years through the 2016–17 season.

$1 million per episode contracts signed

Aug 2014

Contracts were signed at the beginning of August 2014, giving Galecki, Parsons, and Cuoco an estimated $1 million per episode for three years, with the possibility to extend for a fourth year.

Lego Ideas set approved

Nov 7, 2014

After a Lego Ideas project portraying the living room scene reached 10,000 supporters on March 16, 2014, Lego Ideas approved the design on November 7, 2014, and began refining it.

Lego set released after Comic-Con pre-sale

Aug 2015

The Lego Ideas set was released in August 2015, with an exclusive pre-sale taking place at San Diego Comic-Con.

Renewed for seasons 11 and 12

Mar 2017

In March 2017, the series was renewed for two additional seasons, bringing its total to 12 and running through the 2018–19 television season.

Cast takes pay cut to boost Bialik and Rauch salaries

Mar 2017

In March 2017, the main cast members took a 10 percent pay cut to allow Bialik and Rauch an increase in their earnings.

Series finale and farewell special

May 16, 2019

The Big Bang Theory ended on May 16, 2019, after 12 seasons and 279 episodes, followed by a television special titled Unraveling the Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell.

Image source: The Big Bang Theory

Broadcasting & Syndication

Canadian debut on CTV

Sep 2007

The series debuted in Canada on CTV in September 2007, shortly after its American premiere.

UK debut on E4 and Channel 4

Feb 14, 2008

On February 14, 2008, the series debuted in the United Kingdom on channels E4 and Channel 4.

Move to Thursdays for 2010–11 schedule

2010 - 2011

After the first three seasons aired at different times on Monday nights, CBS moved the show to Thursdays at 8:00 ET for the 2010–2011 schedule, competing directly with NBC's comedy block and Fox's American Idol.

Blu-ray releases begin with season 3

2010

The first and second seasons were only available on DVD at their release in 2008 and 2009. Starting with the third season in 2010, a Blu-ray disc set has also been released alongside the DVD each year.

Syndication deal reported

May 2010

In May 2010, it was reported that the show had been picked up for syndication, mainly among Fox's owned and operated stations and other local stations, with Warner Bros.

Leads syndication ratings, dethroning Judge Judy

2012 - 2013

Throughout much of the 2012–13 season, The Big Bang Theory placed first in all syndication ratings, and by season's end had dethroned Judge Judy as the leader with a 7.1 rating.

Netflix UK adds seasons 1–8

Feb 15, 2016

On February 13, 2016, Netflix UK & Ireland announced that seasons 1–8 would be available to stream from February 15, 2016.

HBO Max acquires exclusive US streaming rights

Sep 17, 2019

On September 17, 2019, as part of an extension of the TBS agreement through 2028, Warner Bros.' then-upcoming streaming service HBO Max acquired the exclusive American streaming rights to the series.

Cable rights go to Nick at Nite and MTV

Dec 24, 2024

In December 2024, Paramount Global acquired non-exclusive cable rights for Nick at Nite and MTV, beginning December 24, 2024 and January 1, 2025 respectively, as the TBS contract made linear rights shareable.

Series available on Disney+ via Star hub

2025

Beginning in 2025, The Big Bang Theory was made available on Disney+ in certain regions via the Star hub alongside its spin-off Young Sheldon in an unprecedented move.

Awards & Recognition

TCA awards for best comedy and Jim Parsons

Aug 2009

In August 2009, the sitcom won the best comedy series TCA award and Jim Parsons won the award for individual achievement in comedy.

People's Choice Award and first Emmy for Parsons

2010

In 2010, the show won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy, while Parsons won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Image source: Jim Parsons

Parsons wins Golden Globe

Jan 16, 2011

On January 16, 2011, Parsons was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical, presented by co-star Kaley Cuoco.

Parsons wins second Emmy

Sep 18, 2011

On September 18, 2011, Parsons was again awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Second People's Choice win for Favorite Comedy

Jan 9, 2013

On January 9, 2013, the show won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy for the second time.

National Television Award and People's Choice wins

Jan 20, 2016

On January 20, 2016, the show won the International category at the UK's National Television Awards, and also won the 2016 People's Choice Awards for Favorite TV Show and Favorite Network TV Comedy, with Jim Parsons winning Favorite Comedic TV Actor.

Spin-offs & Franchise

CBS orders Young Sheldon spin-off

Mar 13, 2017

After negotiations were reported in November 2016, Iain Armitage was cast as young Sheldon in early March 2017, and on March 13, 2017, CBS ordered the prequel series Young Sheldon.

Young Sheldon premieres

Sep 25, 2017

The Young Sheldon pilot premiered on September 25, 2017, with weekly episodes beginning November 2, 2017, following the 237th episode of The Big Bang Theory.

Young Sheldon renewed through season 7

Mar 30, 2021

On March 30, 2021, CBS renewed Young Sheldon for a fifth, sixth, and seventh season, extending the prequel's run.

Georgie & Mandy spin-off announced

Jan 2024

In January 2024, it was announced there would be a spin-off of Young Sheldon focused on Georgie Cooper and Mandy McAllister.

Young Sheldon concludes

May 16, 2024

The prequel series came to an end on May 16, 2024, with an hour-long episode including George Cooper's funeral and a cameo from Parsons and Mayim Bialik as their older characters.

Image source: Young Sheldon

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe announced

Oct 10, 2024

On October 10, 2024, it was announced that the third spin-off would feature Stuart Bloom, Denise, and Bert Kibbler, with Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, and Brian Posehn reprising their roles.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage premieres

Oct 17, 2024

The sequel to Young Sheldon premiered on CBS on October 17, 2024, following Sheldon's older brother Georgie and his wife Mandy.

Image source: Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres

Jul 23, 2026

The fourth series in the franchise premiered on HBO Max on July 23, 2026. In it, Stuart is tasked with restoring reality after breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe renewed

Aug 2026

In August 2026, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was renewed for a second season, continuing the franchise's expansion.

Image source: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

Key Facts

In 1927, Belgian priest and physicist Georges Lemaître first proposed that the universe began from a 'primeval atom' and is expanding, laying the foundation for Big Bang Theory.
Edwin Hubble's 1929 observation that galaxies are moving away from us provided crucial evidence that the universe is expanding.
In 1948, George Gamow and colleagues predicted the existence of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation as a remnant of the early universe.
The accidental discovery of the CMB by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1965 provided strong confirmation of the Big Bang Theory and earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1978.
Modern missions like COBE (1989), WMAP (2001), and Planck (2009) have measured the CMB with extreme precision, allowing scientists to determine the universe's age at approximately 13.8 billion years.

Source

This Big Bang Theory Development timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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