"Jericho" Picked Up
Posted June 6th, 2007 by Rich Heldenfels
I've been skeptical about fan campaigns to save shows, but this one seems to have worked …
This is from CBS's press site:
To the Fans of Jericho:
Wow!
Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.
As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of "Jericho" for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more "Jericho," we will need more viewers.
A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.
We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.
At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that "Jericho" will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting "Jericho" on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.
On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of "Jericho" in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.
Sincerely,
Nina Tassler
President, CBS Entertainment
P.S. Please stop sending us nuts : )
June 7th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Rich, you know from previous comments how much I liked "Jericho". I've never participated in anything like this "Save Jericho" movement-my last 'fan' letters were to the Monkees!
But I have to say I felt strongly enough about "Jericho" to voice my displeasure with it's cancellation. There were a lot of things leading to CBS' decision, but I thought if they created an internet site and courted online viewing, they needed to factor more than traditional Nielsen ratings.
Along with thousands of others, I sent letters, emails and made calls. Yes, I bought nuts and donated to the Greensburg KS fund. It's a good feeling to know that not only were we heard, but that we brought about change.
We realize we need to get new viewers in order to keep this show going. I think many people assumed it was a doom and gloom show with America being 'nuked', but it's so much more than that. The backbone is that this town is working together to survive.