CBS pres: 'Jericho' proved net power

Fans' successful campaign to save Jericho proved the viral power of the internet, according to CBS president Nina Tassler.

The cancelled show was revived after viewers from across the world posted thousands of bags of peanuts to the network.

Tassler, speaking ahead of the first episode of seven new episodes coming on air, recalled the events: "It was the first time we were able to see an immediate and very engaged and very specific response to a show being cancelled.

"Jericho was on the crest of what the internet has come to show us is that you have an audience, the use of viral campaigns and how effective they are."

However, Tassler said the fans still needed to tune in to give the show a strong audience: "We certainly expressed to the fans our need to bring more eyeballs to the broadcast of the show."

Jericho executive producer Carol Barbee said she was on holiday when the campaign, based on a character's favourite snack, began: "Three days into my trip, I got an e-mail from Tassler saying, 'When you're back in town, we really need to sit down and talk because this is a huge fan revolt, and we want to figure out a way to make them happy.'"

She said the new shows would live up to their expectations: "It was incumbent upon us to tell a great story for these people who saved the show."