‘The Big Bang Theory’ season 6: The rich get richer

Just in case you did not think that “The Big Bang Theory” could become any more dominant, just wait until you check out what the viewing figures are for the comedy juggernaut now that the live+7 data (otherwise known as DVR figures) have been factored into the equation for the show’s first episode of 2013.

This data was released (per TVbythenumbers) on Monday, and the results are pretty astounding. When the show originally aired this episode, which featured Regina King guest-starring as a worker within human resources at Sheldon’s university, it drew a series-high 6.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic to go along with an impressive 19.25 million viewers. Now that the extra viewing is factored in, over 23 million people watched this show on TV alone, and this measures out to be a whopping 8.0 rating, which is the best rating for a scripted show we’ve seen all year by a pretty wide margin.

To think, there is also still a chance that a higher rating for “The Big Bang Theory” is coming up soon, as the final live+7 numbers have yet to come in for the episode airing on January 10 that featured the gang getting stuck in the desert wearing “Star Trek” costumes. In its original airing, the half-hour broke the prior episode’s record in scoring over 20 million viewers along with a 6.3 rating.

For those curious, “Elementary” also posted some major gains with its January 3 episode, having increased its 18-49 rating by 50% (to a 3.9, up from 2.6) and adding over four million viewers to take its total over 15. After getting off to a sluggish start, Sherlock Holmes is starting to really find his feet.

If you want to see some more scoop on what “The Big Bang Theory” will be doing soon to top itself, you can find out here. (Note: it involves Kripke.)

Photo: CBS