NBC axes 'The West Wing'

NBC confirmed on Sunday afternoon that The West Wing's current seventh season will be the show's last.

Ratings for the long-running political drama fell off after the network shifted it from a flagship Wednesday night spot to a Sunday night timeslot.

"We are proud to have had the opportunity to bring television viewers one of the most acclaimed series in television history," said NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly. "From the venerable, moving performances by the first-rate cast to the sterling creative team behind the camera, this series has left an indelible imprint on the landscape of television drama."

The show was the subject of a Don't Save Our Show campaign by some fans who felt that the quality of the series suffered after creator Aaron Sorkin left at the end of season four.

NBC plans to send off the show with an hour-long retrospective followed by a "special" series finale on Sunday, May 14. It is understood that the show's current storyline, which depicts a presidential election race between Democrat Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and moderate Republican Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda), will be resolved before the series wraps.

The show holds the record for the most Emmy Awards won by any series in a single season and has earned ninety total Emmy nominations. It also holds a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series, three Television Critics Association Awards and a Peabody Award for Excellence in Television.