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It's no secret that networks are more about the bottom line they receive from commercial advertising revenue than they are about the product itself.

So it may be no surprise that a new ratings system offered by Nielsen Media Research could fuel the fire for a return of "Jericho," which showed that the now-canceled series from CBS had more viewers watching the actual commercials, even when they were playing it back on their DVRs.

"Jericho" finished ninth among all television shows broadcast in 2006-07 that witnessed gains in the key viewership demographic of adults 18 to 49 in commercial viewing after it had been played back on a digital video recorder. In fact, "Jericho" saw a 3 percent increase in commercial views after it had been taped for three days, putting it in line with similar gains made by "My Name Is Earl," "Numbers" and "Medium."

The significance of such a report means that although fans were recording "Jericho" and watching it later, unlike most other programs, many fans were not fast-forwarding through commercials. Advertisers like that, obviously, because their goal in spending money for commercial slots is so their message can be heard.

The top show on the list, "The Office" on NBC, had an 8 percent increase of commercial viewing after it had been recorded. It finished ahead of "Family Guy," "Bones," "Smallville," "Grey's Anatomy" and "24."

It's unclear how such numbers, which were released today by Nielsen, will have an effect on CBS officials who are being bombarded by protests and nuts from fans who want "Jericho" to return. But ratings on commercials will become key in network decisions down the road, analysts said.

"Today's launch of average commercial minute ratings culminates a year-long effort to deliver a new way of measuring television viewing," said Sara Erichson, executive vice president of client services for Nielsen, in a press release. "Our clients will determine which of these data streams they want to use for negotiating the buying and selling of advertising, and whether it be for the upcoming television season or the following one."

The "Nuts to CBS" campaign by "Jericho" fans is continuing, in the meantime. More than 31,000 pounds of nuts have been ordered from New Jersey nut retailer Nuts Online, enough nuts to feed the number of people represented by more than one-tenth of a Nielsen ratings point. Nuts are now being shipped to both New York and Los Angeles offices of CBS, with more than $42,000 spent so far.