'The Big Bang Theory' latest news: Series renewed for two more seasons

CBS has officially confirmed that "The Big Bang Theory" will get two more seasons or 48 more episodes.

The show's renewal was the result of negotiations between the actors and the network that lasted for months, resulting in the five original cast members — Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar — signing on for two more seasons. However, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch are reportedly still currently in discussion about their own contracts.

Part of the negotiations for the two seasons involved the five original cast members agreeing to earn $100,000 less than their current $1 million/episode salary so that their other castmates, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, will get higher paychecks. However, Variety reported that the two actors are seeking parity.

Bialik and Rauch joined the show on season 3, and they became series regulars in season 7, with the former receiving four consecutive Emmy nominations for playing Amy Farrah Fowler, a fellow scientist and the girlfriend of Sheldon (Parsons). However, they only earn between $175,000 to $200,000 per episode, which is significantly lower compared to their castmates. In the last contract renewal cycle, Nayyar and Helberg, who originally had lower salaries compared to Parsons, Galecki, and Cuoco, were able to successfully negotiate for parity.

A big part of the negotiations has to do with the amount of money "The Big Bang Theory" is bringing studios. Warner Bros. TV was able to earn more than $1 billion in syndication revenue through this show. Furthermore, it remains consistently at the top of ratings as the most-watched show on television since 2010. The negotiations have led to speculations that these two seasons will be the last ones for the show.

"The Big Bang Theory," which started in 2007, is one of TV's longest-running contemporary sitcoms. A spin-off of the show, "Young Sheldon," is currently in pre-production.