Big Bang Theory Pay Dispute Delays Filming

Filming on the new series of The Big Bang Theory is being held up because of a contract dispute with its stars.

Warner Bros. Television, which makes the popular comedy, said Wednesday's first scheduled day of work on season eight had been postponed.

It is understood the studio is still trying to hammer out new deals for Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, who are thought to be requesting higher salaries.

The Hollywood Reporter cites a source who said Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco, who currently earn $325,000 per half-hour episode, are seeking up to $1m per episode.

Contract disputes aren't unusual at popular, long-running TV series, and CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler seemed to take it in her stride when asked about the negotiations two weeks ago.

"I just love being able to answer these questions year after year, primarily because we have successful shows," she said.

"And when you have successful shows, you have renegotiations. We're feeling very confident that everything will work out. These deals manage to get done somehow miraculously year after year."

The series, about a group of science geeks, was renewed by three more years in March.

In 2012 members of the cast of Modern Family brought a lawsuit Fox over their salaries, which was eventually settled when their pay was doubled.