The Big Bang Theory's original pilot before they could even greenlit it. Once it settled on its first five characters (Sheldon, Penny, Leonard, Howard, and Raj), the sitcom was able to easily endear itself to audiences. The addition of Amy and Bernadette years later only amplified its success.

For the majority of its run, The Big Bang Theory was CBS' premier comedy. It was also the biggest sitcom of its time, leading to the franchise's expansion with Young Sheldon. Despite its popularity, CBS was forced to pull the plug on the comedy because Jim Parsons decided to leave, and instead of continuing with an incomplete cast, they decided to wrap up the show properly. The Big Bang Theory finale ended up being a sweet send-off to the Pasadena gang, but clearly, some of its fans remain committed to it.

The Big Bang Theory Is 2024's Most-Binged Streaming Title

Lorre & Prady's Sitcom Ended In 2019

Per a new report from Nielsen (via Deadline), The Big Bang Theory is 2024's most-binged title on streaming. It averaged 265.5 episodes per viewer on its primary platform, Max. This means that it has a total of 29.1 billion minutes of viewing. To put that into perspective, The Big Bang Theory's whole run has 281 episodes, with CBS' nerd-centric sitcom ing NBC's classic, Cheers, as the longest-running multi-cam sitcom. The series also ranked no. 7 overall among 2024's top streaming titles, which is an impressive feat, considering that it ended six years ago.

In addition, The Big Bang Theory saw 58% of its watch time fall in the 18 to 49 demographic. The sitcom is followed by American Dad on Hulu, with 175.3 episodes per viewer. For context, Nielsen's “average episodes per viewer” statistic refers to the amount of time someone spends watching a show that is at least 20 minutes long. It does not consider how unique each viewer's watching pattern is based on the episodes they view.

Our Take On The Big Bang Theory Topping Streaming Charts In 2025

The Pasadena Gang Remains Relevant

ittedly, The Big Bang Theory's popularity is a contentious topic, primarily because of its brand of comedy in its earlier seasons. Still, it's difficult to argue that it has maintained its relevance. Granted that Young Sheldon and its own success may have something to do with it, but at its core, The Big Bang Theory is a comfort show on its own for many. Whether it's the lack of an overall arc that makes it easy to jump in at any point or the stellar chemistry of the cast, it just appeals to a broader audience.

The sitcom's success continues to manifest in other ways, including Lorre and Prady re-teaming for their first true The Big Bang Theory spinoff. As great as Young Sheldon was, it was too different from the nerd-centric sitcom and created countless plot inconsistencies to satiate audiences' clamor for more content from the Pasadena-based friend group. Perhaps this time, The Big Bang Theory franchise can make up for its problematic humor in the original show as it continues to expand.

Source: Nielsen (via Deadline)