No end in sight for 'Big Bang Theory'

BEVERLY HILLS — Ten years is a long time for a network TV comedy: NBC's Friends lasted 10 seasons, while Seinfeld went for nine.

But top-rated comedy The Big Bang Theory is expected to outlast both.

Entering its 10th season this fall, the show's cast, network (CBS) and producer (Warner Bros. Television) all want to come back for more, CBS Entertainment chief Glenn Geller said at the Television Critics Association press tour, echoing earlier comments from Warner Bros. executives.

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Current three-year contracts for stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco, estimated at $1 million per episode, expire next May.

But "we're very confident that everyone involved wants more Big Bang Theory past year 10," Geller said, adding it's likely Warner Bros. will make those cast deals.

CBS can use the show: It has yet to develop a major hit that can replace the dominant sitcom, which will lead off Mondays this fall before shifting back to Thursdays in late October after the network completes its Thursday Night Football schedule. Big Bang Theory averaged 20.6 million viewers last season when 7-day delayed viewing is factored in, one of only two network series to top 20 million. (The other is NCIS).