Friday at 9 is a good slot for competition with the Sci Fi channel.
I think the make or break for Jericho -
(1) DVD sales. The problem with shows like Jericho- or Lost, the Shield, the Wire, Prison Break- is that their serial and not episodic. You have to watch them in order. While Tivo and other mediums exist so that you can watch- it still requires a commitment. DVD sales allow vierers to watch, fans to pass around the show and build interest, and is a way that the makers actually get paid.
(2) The ratings game. A lot of good shows and good ideas get canned simply because they don't generate enough audience. They just don't have enough time to generate a following. I am not sure how shows like Drive or Daybreak worked out- because I never had the chance to watch them. Both shows got cancelled fairly quickly before they could really develop. A show like the Wire survives because its an HBO show. But if you can generate enough of a following, than the show should make it. Ratings need to be competitive vs other "good ideas that flopped" shows. Jericho's second chance might be critical to its continued existence.
(3) Demographics- I think Jericho sells to a wide demographic. Most Apoc junkies and sci-fi nuts love but so could the apocalyptic christian nuts. End of the world scenarios are good drama. Also its a soap opera and people like that too.
( 4) Attitude shift. The main broadcast networks used to compete against others in the US- essentially there were three nationals and mulitple locals- at least in big markets. Now there is a lot more competition which means that stations have to be more humble in their networks. UPN, FX, even AMC's Madmen are competing in the drama while drama shows compete with nitch networks- food channel, history, sci-fi, comedy, espn. The audience size has increased but not as fast as the size of the market- so all are competing for diminishing market shares. Its a fight for scarce resourses.
Which means that networks have to change their attitude- they need to create shows that satisfy loyal dedicated followings- not broad audiences.
Where television shows were sold to large demographics that attracted advertisers- now shows have to have loyal followings that advertisers should count on. Which might explain why you get lots of commercials for "natural male enhancers" on FX, and you get "girls gone wild" ads on the military channel.
