SCI FI Channel said it has acquired off-network cable rights to the U.S. drama series Jericho from CBS Television Distribution. The deal provides SCI FI with the rights to the first and second seasons of the series. Jericho will debut on SCI FI with a four-episode marathon Feb.

A grassroots campaign across the United States, fueled by message boards, blogs and Web sites, may be convincing CBS to cancel its cancellation of Jericho.

A grassroots online movement by U.S. fans to revive the just-canceled CBS post-nuclear drama Jericho touched a CBS executive, the network said.

Citing solid ratings growth, CBS has signed new drama Jericho, featuring Skeet Ulrich and Gerald McRaney, to a full season of 22 episodes, the network says.

By Diane Werts, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Sep. 20--