LOS ANGELES (AP) – CBS loves “Everybody Loves Raymond” more than ever it seems, reportedly giving star Ray Romano a raise to about $1.8 million an episode next season.

The deal would make Romano the highest-paid actor in television, The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety reported Monday.

The 45-year-old comedian, who plays a New York sportswriter on the popular sitcom, had been earning about $800,000 per episode for the past two years.

The agreement with CBS and “Raymond” producers Worldwide Pants and HBO Independent Productions will pay Romano around $40 million for a 22-episode eighth season, the trade newspapers reported.

They cited sources they did not identify.

Romano’s new salary surpasses that of Kelsey Grammer, who has been making $1.6 million per episode of NBC’s “Frasier” since signing a $75 million, two-year deal two years ago.

CBS spokeswoman Janet Daily, who represents the network and Romano, confirmed to The Associated Press Monday that Romano had signed a one-year contract for the eighth season, but declined further comment.

She said the contract length doesn’t indicate that the show will end after next season.

“Raymond” ranked ninth this season among prime-time series and anchors CBS’ Monday night lineup.