Save Jericho: Mission Accomplished!

It's official. 'Jericho' will be brought back next year. No specific date has been set but it's likely to be somewhere in February or March, maybe April at the latest. They will be producing seven episodes. They are hoping that they will get more viewers. After all, publicity is what they need. We gave them the publicity and they have taken it in stride. The truth is, CBS has been quite patient with us and took the time to listen. Not many will even bother to listen. Here's a letter from the President of CBS Entertainment.

June 6, 2007

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 :)

I command Nina Tassler for taking the time to listen. We have accomplished our mission in rescuing 'Jericho'. CBS opened its eye and realized the potential of 'Jericho'. By the way, the first season will be available on the DVD format on September 25. Buying the first season is a good way of showing support. I definitely will buy the first season on the DVD format.

We are in the middle of a major revolution of TV viewing. Which is why the Nielsen ratings aren't too accurate these days. From what I read, 17% of cable subscribers use DVR (Digital Video Recorder). A large number of them record television programs and they aren't counted in the statistics. 'Jericho' was on Apple iTunes. I imagine it wasn't counted either. Not only to mention a number of methods that some people may consider being illegal but I can tell you that millions of people downloaded the episodes through torrents. The only problem is, they often remove the advertisements. The advertisements are what keep the TV networks going. They are the life of every TV program out there except for HBO and pay channels.

In fact, CBS is thinking up a new brainstorm on changing that. They are going to think of new ways to get more viewers and make a profit from it. Let's hope they come up with some good ideas because it's not just 'Jericho' that is suffering from this problem. Every major TV series suffered too as well including 'Lost', '24', 'Heroes' and more.

CBS, thank you for acknowledging our efforts in saving 'Jericho'.