'Big Bang Theory' stars get pay increase

LOS ANGELES  - The stars of "The Big Bang Theory" are getting a big salary increase as CBS moves the show to the starter-block position on Thursday nights in an attempt to launch a new comedy block.

Emmy-winning star Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco will each earn $200,000 an episode for the show's upcoming fourth season, sources confirmed. That's up more than 200 percent from their previous $60,000 per episode.

Their salaries will climb by another $50,000 each year for the next three (presumed) seasons of the show. That's still a far cry from the nearly $2 million per episode earned by Charlie Sheen on CBS' veteran "Two and a Half Men," whose ratings were surpassed by "Big Bang" last season.