Young Sheldon is ending after season 7, which is surprising, considering how popular the prequel still is. However, the network has several reasons.
There are several reasons why CBS is canceling Young Sheldon with season 7 despite its continued popularity. Sheldon and the Coopers are about to say goodbye after news broke out that The Big Bang Theory prequel is wrapping up its run during the remainder of the 2023-2024 TV season. This may come as a shock, considering that Young Sheldon remains a massive ratings-hit on CBS, even becoming its number 1 comedy for the 2022-2023 season, but its potential ending has long been being discussed. The historic dual strikes of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA just delayed the verdict.
When The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, it was also still very popular. CBS wanted to order at least one more season of the show, but Jim Parsons’ decision to exit the series as Sheldon Cooper after season 12 basically forced the rest of the cast to wrap up the series. Things are different for Young Sheldon, however, since the main cast has been vocal about wanting to continue doing the spin-off. That being said, there are several elements that are not within their control that ultimately spell the end of the family comedy even though it is at the peak of its popularity.
8TBBT’s Canon Forces Young Sheldon To End
Sheldon only has one year left in college when he returns from Germany.
The primary driving force behind Young Sheldon‘s season 7 ending is The Big Bang Theory‘s established canon. Because of its prequel nature, the spin-off has a pre-determined end the moment it premiered in 2017. Sadly, it is already approaching that point in the timeline. Deviating from the narrative schedule is far too big of a plot hole to ignore. According to The Big Bang Theory lore, Sheldon only has one year left in college when he returns from Germany in Young Sheldon season 7. After that, he moves to Pasadena to begin his post-grad studies at Caltech. That leaves the offshoot just enough time to send him off.
7Young Sheldon Has Outgrown Its Original Story
It has increased its focus on the rest of the Coopers.
The idea for Young Sheldon came from CBS’ attempt to further capitalize on the popularity of The Big Bang Theory, and there was no better way to do that than by awarding its most recognizable character his own show. Sheldon’s penchant for sharing anecdotes about his childhood in The Big Bang Theory became the launching pad for the narrative, resulting in a prequel that is set in Texas. In the last couple of years, however, Young Sheldon has clearly outgrown its premise. Instead of Sheldon being the focal point of the series, it has diversified its storytelling and increased its focus on the rest of the Coopers.
6Young Sheldon Reaches The End Of Its Last Three-Year Renewal
Young Sheldon scored a three-year renewal in 2021.
When it debuted, Young Sheldon was an immediate hit right out of the gate. CBS was understandably thrilled about this, awarding the show multi-year renewals. In 2021, the network gave the prequel a rare three-year order, guaranteeing its run until the 2023-2024 TV season. Moving beyond that time timeframe means that everyone involved will have to get back to the negotiating table for brand-new contracts. Instead of dealing with what potentially could be a rigorous process, CBS may have simply opted out of it.
5Young Sheldon’s Young Actors Are Growing Out Of Their Roles
Sheldon and Missy are just about to turn 14.
CBS kicked off Young Sheldon with Sheldon and Missy both nine years old. This matched with Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord’s real-life age at that time. However, knowing full well that the show can only run until Sheldon is 14 years old, which is when he begins his post-graduate studies in California, the network has slowed down the characters’ aging process. After seven years, Sheldon and Missy are just about to turn 14 in Young Sheldon season 7, when both Armitage and Revord have already turned 15 this year. The age difference has become more noticeable in season 6 and was even a point of criticism.
4Young Sheldon Is Already In Syndication
Young Sheldon’s 100th episode was “A Solo Peanut, a Social Butterfly and the Truth.”
Back in 2022, Young Sheldon released its 100th episode, which helped in securing higher rates for syndication. At this point, the show was already in constant re-runs, with the series entering syndication in local markets, covering roughly 90% of the United States back in September 2021. Subsequently, it entered off-network syndication on TBS. Considering this, Warner Bros. Television can continue shopping the show with a lucrative deal now that it is already well past 100 episodes.
Young Sheldon’s 100th episode revealed that Georgie and Mandy were unexpectedly pregnant.
3Another Big Bang Theory Spin-Off Is Already In Development
It guarantees that The Big Bang Theory franchise will thrive moving forward.
Young Sheldon has kept The Big Bang Theory universe alive since the nerd-centric sitcom ended its run in 2019. Despite gradually breaking away from its parent show, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady’s franchise remains relevant years after its mothership show wrapped up thanks to the success of the prequel. Knowing full well how popular the universe is, there are new plans to further expand it via another spin-off. This time, however, instead of selling it to CBS, the new series will be on Max (formerly HBO Max). Due to the WGA strike, work on it was stalled for a while, but Lorre is back to decide on its details.
While it’s too early to say what the spin-off is about and when it might be released, its development is almost a guarantee that The Big Bang Theory franchise will thrive moving forward. There are even rumbles that it will be Young Sheldon-adjacent. Regardless, this puts less pressure on the prequel to make sure that it continues to be at the forefront of pop culture moving forward.
2Young Sheldon Is Available On Streaming Services
Young Sheldon is also available on Netflix outside the US.
Aside from being part of CBS’ primetime programming, not to mention being in syndication, Young Sheldon is also accessible through streaming services. It is currently available to watch on demand on WarnerMedia’s Max service, Max like its parent series. Beyond that, however, it is also available on Netflix outside of the US. In 2021, the streaming giant has included the family comedy in its catalog for Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Given this, WarnerMedia can keep the show relevant and profitable that it doesn’t really have any real motivation to continue Young Sheldon beyond season 7.
1Young Sheldon Is Entering A Dark Period For The Coopers
Young Sheldon cannot escape George’s upcoming death.
CBS spent years dancing around Sheldon’s story about catching his dad in bed with another woman, and understandably so. Despite how he was painted in The Big Bang Theory, George is actually a decent dad in the prequel, and staying true to canon will drastically change the usually lighthearted show. While it can get away with ignoring the affair, Young Sheldon cannot escape George’s upcoming death, which takes place when he’s 14. It will be difficult for the show to move forward without the Cooper patriarch. Ending it with a shortened Young Sheldon season 7 allows the network to totally skip the tragedy and wrap up on a high note.
