Hard to imagine many of the other networks willing to say good-bye to a television series averaging a 5.0 household rating on a tough night.

But CBS is ready to do just that. Days after reducing the number of episodes planned this season from 22 to 16, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello has confirmed with the show's co-creator that this could indeed be the last season for "Numbers."

"We will be doing a 16th episode that wraps up storylines and answers questions," Cheryl Heuton said. "It will be designed to stand as a finale, but it won't create story situations that would hamper us if the network should decide to order more episodes."

"Numbers" is averaging a 5.0 rating/9 share in overnights from The Nielsen Co. after six episodes this season, easily beating "The Jay Leno Show" on Friday nights. It typically loses a little less than 4 percent of its "Medium" lead-in audience.

However, it is one of CBS' worst performers, its average better than only "The New Adventures Of old Christine" (4.7/8) and "Gary Unmarried" (4.5/7). However, the averages of even those shows are better than most of what the other networks are offering, so it's possible that CBS Television Studios could offer the show to another network and maximize value.

Such a move would allow the network to continue producing episodes with less risk, and still open the door for more after-market distribution such as syndication deals and DVDs, which CBS stands the most to profit from no matter where "Numbers" is aired.

"Numbers" is broadcast on CBS Fridays at 10 p.m. ET.