Networks have seen that when viewer's favorite shows go off the air for an extended period of time--think the Walt Disney Co. (nyse: DIS - news - people )-owned ABC's Lost and CBS 's (nyse: CBS - news - people ) Jericho--it's hard to get those viewers back.
That's why the happy ending for CBS ' (nyse: CBS - news - people ) freshman drama Jericho, which was gifted with a second season after the network had announced its cancellation, came as such a surprise to the cast and crew alike.