Ultimate fate of the universe out a theory that has since come to be called the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe. In 1948, Fred Hoyle set out his opposing Steady State theory in which the universe continually expanded but remained statistically unchanged as new matter is constantly created. These two theories were active contenders until the 1965 discovery, by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, of the cosmic microwave background radiation, a fact that is a straightforward prediction of the Big Bang theory, and one that the original Steady State theory could not account for. As a result, the Big Bang theory
The Big Bang Theory placed first in all of syndication ratings, receiving formidable competition from only "Judge Judy" and "Wheel of Fortune" (first-run syndication programs). By the end of the 2012–13 television season, "The Big Bang Theory" had dethroned "Judge Judy" as the ratings leader in all of syndicated programming with 7.1, "Judy" descending to second place for that season with a 7.0. "The Big Bang Theory" did not place first in syndication ratings for the 2013–14 television season, beaten out by "Judge Judy". The show made its United Kingdom debut on Channel 4 on February 14, 2008. The show was also shown as