CBS has received the message loud and clear. "Jericho" watchers aren't just fanatical, they're quite nuts.

The network has confirmed rumors that have been swirling for more than 24 hours now, announcing the return of the post-nuclear disaster drama series for at least seven episodes during mid-season.

"Over the past few weeks, you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime-time television series," wrote CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler on the network's official message boards. "You got our attention. Your e-mails and collective voice have been heard."

After thousands of e-mails, more than 20 tons of nuts, and what could be considered one of the strongest fan campaigns put together since fans forced NBC to order a third season of "Star Trek" back in 1968.

"A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show, but that community needs to grow," Tassler said. "It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available."

Analysts said "Jericho" was attracting some of the strongest numbers in key age demographics of any other show on CBS, and that many viewers in the 18 to 49 age range may have been missed by Nielsen Media Research since the show was available through CBS' Web site, which is not measured by the ratings aggregator. Soon after the show was removed from the fall schedule last month, fans came out in force to let the network know they were not interested in seeing the show end, putting out information like how "Jericho's" ratings were stronger than Katie Couric's in the network's evening newscast.

In her note, Tassler asked fans to stop sending nuts. One New Jersey nuts distributor, Nuts Online, sent more than 40,000 pounds of nuts to CBS offices in New York and Los Angeles, valued at more than $50,000. The company offered the nuts mostly at cost, and even raised money for tornado victims in Kansas -- nearly $15,000 in that effort alone.

"I knew something was up on my way home from work," said Nuts Online president Jeffery Braverman in his blog on the site, adding he got a "gazillion e-mails, including one from CBS."

"I was about to jump the train and push it to get me home faster. Fans, you have done this!"

To keep the show on past the seven episodes, viewers are going to have to come out in droves to support it, Tassler warned.

"We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grassroots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks," Tassler said.

CBS intends to do its part as well to introduce the show to new viewers in light of the publicity generated from the campaign. The network will rebroadcast the show this summer on the network, and stream episodes online.

CBS also will release its first season DVD Sept. 25, which should help bring in new viewers coming into the shortened Season 2.

"On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of 'Jericho' in such an extraordinary manner," Tassler said. "Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference."