Highlights
- The Big Bang Theory finale demanded a drastic increase in ad prices, with CBS seeking between $1.2 million and $1.5 million for a 30-second spot, which is five to six times higher than the regular price.
- The finale of The Big Bang Theory was a major success, with 18 million viewers tuning in, making it the highest-rated episode since 2018, and the highest rating for the show’s final season.
- Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator, struggled with the emotional significance of the finale but was ultimately grateful for his time on the series and proud of what they accomplished. The show continues to be highly profitable, estimated to make $1 billion per year.
Series finales are known to draw massive numbers. To date, the final episode of MASH is among the highest-rated finales to date, with 60.2 million viewers tuning in back in 1983.
The Big Bang Theory aired its finale in 2019 and, as expected, the viewership for the episode was very strong. In the following, we’ll take a closer look at the numbers TBBT put up for CBS. It seems like the network was well aware of the finale value, deciding to bulk up the cost of commercials. We’ll reveal the drastic change that was made, and how different the cost was compared to a regular TBBT episode.
Let’s take a closer look.
The One Reason Sandra Bullock Refused To Date Kunal Nayyar On The Big Bang Theory
Sandra Bullock was the first choice to date Raj on The Big Bang Theory, during the show’s most important episode ever.
CBS Requested A Major Increase For Ads During The Big Bang Theory Finale, Estimated At $1.5 Million For 30-Seconds
Depending on the event, networks can get very greedy. That’s the case every year with the Super Bowl, as ads cost in the range of $6 million to $7 million. As for The Big Bang Theory finale, the hit CBS show but out quite the request. The demand was between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. According to Variety, that would be six times higher than the actual price throughout the season.
Variety wrote about The Big Bang Theory seeking $1.5 million.
“The network is seeking between $1.2 million and $1.5 million for a 30-second ad in the finale of the veteran series, according to two people familiar with negotiations between CBS and its advertisers. Those figures would represent a price approximately five to six times higher than the average cost to run an ad in the show this season. The last original episode in the series is slated for broadcast on May 16.”
CBS Cut Out The Footage Of Stephen Colbert “Harshly” Commenting On His Guest’s Appearance
Stephen Colbert’s interview took a surprising twist at the start with a certain comedian, but was cut from the final footage.
Although the increase sounds harsh, it seems to be the norm. NBC did the same thing years prior with the Friends and Seinfeld finales.
“The cost to advertise in each of those shows was eye-popping: NBC sought between $1.4 million and $1.8 million for a 30-second spot in the “Seinfeld” ending.”
“A 30-second ad berth in the last episode of “Friends,” which ran on NBC in 2004, went for between $1.5 million and $2.3 million.”
Given the ratings for the finale, it seems like CBS knew exactly what they were doing.
The Big Bang Theory Finale Was A Major Success With 18 Million Viewers Tuning In
Looking back, TBBT finale received high praise from fans. It wasn’t your typical ending, and fans especially loved it knowing that the main character were still united and not going their separate ways. The rating also proved that. According to Variety, The Big Bang Theory finale scored 18 million viewers.
It was the highest rating since 2018.
Variety writes, “That initial rating is the show’s highest since January, 2018, and represents the highest-rated episode of “Big Bang”‘s twelfth and final season by far, while the total viewership figure is the highest the show has produced since September, 2015. The previous season 12 high was 2.57 for the February 7 episode, and the average for the season to-date was 2.2 prior to last night’s finale.”
Johnny Galecki Was Noticeably Nervous After Stephen Colbert Asked Him A Question About His “Conduct” In TBBT Dressing Room
Johnny Galecki was embarrassed after he was questioned by Stephen Colbert and TBBT cast about his “intimate life” backstage.
The show gave CBS a massive boost in general, as the ratings stayed high for Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, which featured The Big Bang Theory cast. It was truly a very unforgettable night for those involved. However, it was a difficult process for Chuck Lorre.
Chuck Lorre Struggled With The Finale Behind The Scenes And “Almost Couldn’t Do It”
Let’s be honest here, Two and a Half Men ended on bumpy terms for Chuck Lorre, especially given the final sequence. However, it was the opposite experience for the show creator on TBBT. Lorre was “grief-stricken and grateful” for his time on the series.
He revealed, “I almost couldn’t do it. I didn’t really think that it would be difficult, but as soon as they put that thing in my hands, I started to choke,” says Lorre.
“It was loaded with significance. It was the last take of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’”
Jim Parsons’ departure proved to be a pivotal point in ending the series. Lorre admits he was ready to continue had the actor decided otherwise.
“Absolutely. We’re still having a good time, and I’m really proud of the work. And a lot of people had gainful employment. … There are many reasons to keep it going, so when you ask: Am I OK with it ending? No. I’m grief-stricken that it ended, but at the same time, I’m proud of what we did. I’m grateful that we get to do it.”
Lorre and company ended the show on great terms while it continues to make a fortune these days thanks to backend profits estimate to be at $1 billion per year.
Source: NewsFinale
