This photo provided by CBS shows Johnny Galecki, from left, Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik in a scene from the series finale of "The Big Bang Theory," Thursday, May 16, 2019, airing 8:30 - 9:00 p.m., ET/PT, on the CBS Television Network. (Michael Yarish/CBS/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. via AP)
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - In its last blast, "The Big Bang Theory" topped the TV ratings by a light-year.
The finale of the nerdy CBS comedy's 12-season run drew 18.5 million live viewers Thursday night to easily win the week.
Sunday's night's much-ballyhooed finale of "Game of Thrones" was a distant second with 13.6 million live viewers.
"Game of Thrones," however, had a comparable 18.4 million viewers across all of HBO's platforms, making it the most-watched episode of any kind in the history of the cable channel.
"Big Bang" was a colossal ratings winner that helped keep CBS the top network for much of its run.
A prequel spinoff, "Young Sheldon," is pulling similar numbers in its second season and will extend the life of the franchise. It finished third in last week's ratings.
This photo provided by CBS shows Melissa Rauch, from left, Simon Helberg, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Mayim Bialik and Kunal Nayyar in a scene from the series finale of "The Big Bang Theory," Thursday, May 16, 2019, airing 8:30 - 9:00 p.m., ET/PT, on the CBS Television Network. (Michael Yarish/CBS via AP)
The Associated Press
This photo provided by CBS shows Jim Parsons in a scene from the series finale of "The Big Bang Theory," Thursday, May 16, 2019, airing 8:30 - 9:00 p.m., ET/PT, on the CBS Television Network. (Michael Yarish/CBS via AP)
The Associated Press
This image released by CBS shows Kunal Nayyar, left, and Mayim Bialik in a scene from the series finale of "The Big Bang Theory." (Michael Yarish/CBS via AP)
The Associated Press