Patricia Arquette's TV show Medium has been canceled and saved all in the space of 24 hours. Just a day after NBC announced it was dropping the drama series - along with comedy My Name Is Earl - rival network CBS has picked it up and announced plans to unveil a new season in the autumn.

CBS bosses reacted passionately after NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman announced the axing on Thursday claiming Medium had received not "a single fan letter" of support.

A CBS spokesperson responded: "NBC's cancellation of Medium is inexplicable to us. The ratings don't lie: Medium outperforms many of NBC's renewed shows. Despite inconsistent scheduling, Medium - under the creative vision of (creator) Glenn Gordon Caron, one of the most preeminent producers in television - has always performed with distinction both creatively and commercially. Multiple award-winning actress Patricia Arquette and the cast have delivered a stellar series for five consistent seasons. The awards and ratings speak for themselves."

Arquette has played spirit communicator Allison Dubois in Medium since the show first aired in 2005.

Image © Paramount Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)