'Jericho' Gets a Full-Season Order

Zap2It.com | October 12, 2006

Skeet Ulrich, 'Jericho'

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Get ready for 22 episodes of Skeet squinting

Crediting it with contributing to a night of solid ratings growth, CBS has picked up a back nine for the freshman drama "Jericho."

The Wednesday night drama, which features Skeet Ulrich and Gerald McRaney has averaged 11.3 million viewers and a 3.4 rating among adults 18-49. In an 8 p.m. slot most recently occupied by comedies, "Jericho" has boosted viewership by 48 percent and the 18-49 demo rating by 36 percent compared to last year.

CBS will now have 22 episodes of "Jericho," which kicks off a night that has seen an overall viewership bump of 34 percent and a demo increase of 22 percent despite intense competition from the other networks, ABC in particular.

"Jericho," which focuses on the aftermath of a nuclear explosion and how one Kansas town is impacted, may not have premiered with huge numbers, but viewership has remained almost identical week-to-week, showing no drop against baseball on FOX or, this past week, the premiere of NBC's new comedy block.

The drama from executive producers Jon Turtletaub, Stephen Chbosky and Carol Barbee joins "Heroes" on the list of new shows receiving full-season orders.