The sitcom, created by producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, blossomed from a minor hit when it debuted in 2007 to the most-watched comedy on TV in certain years. It was the second-most-watched comedy this past season, trailing only the “Roseanne” reboot. The show has also been well-received by the industry, earning 52 Emmy nominations — and 10 wins.

“The Big Bang Theory” has been an anchor for CBS, the most-watched US TV network, and its absence will force the network to look for a new hit. CBS and Warner Bros., the studio that produces the sitcom, have already created a spinoff, “Young Sheldon,” about one of the main characters as a child.

While “The Big Bang Theory” got more expensive as the years wore on — and the stars were able to demand more money for each season — Warner Bros. has made a small fortune selling the rights to reruns. The final season debuts Sept 24.