The post-apocalyptic television series Jericho, which was saved from the axe by fans last year, has been chopped by CBS.

Network brass announced late Friday the program's ratings were too low, despite its passionate fans and cult following.

The stars of Jericho, from left, Lennie James, Erik Knudsen, Sprague Grayden, Ashley Scott and Skeet Ulrich, are now without jobs after CBS announced the cult show has been axed.
(CBS/Associated Press)

"We simply wish there were more [viewers]," said Nina Tassler, the network's entertainment president, in a statement. "We have no regrets bringing the show back for a second try."

During its seven-show run starting in February, the show's audience averaged about 8.1 million people per episode at the beginning and kept falling.

Fans sent some 18,000 kilograms of peanuts last spring to CBS as a protest after the network announced plans to scrap the drama, which portrays the aftermath of nuclear attacks on the U.S.

The peanut campaign was linked to a remark by the character played by Skeet Ulrich at the end of the first series. It triggered a change of heart by CBS executives, who ordered an extra seven episodes for 2008.

Networks rarely reverse a show's cancellation, but CBS has some history in this regard.

In 1983, when Cagney & Lacey was cancelled after its first season, the network was bombarded with protests.

It then brought back the police drama, starring Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly, which ran successfully until 1988.

The tough-talking crime series went on to win 14 Emmys, including two consecutive awards for Best Drama Series in 1985 and 1986.

With files from the Associated Press