The cancellation of 'The West Wing', which airs on Channel 4 in the UK, comes after ratings for the show sank to a new low following its move to Sunday nights.
However, despite the ratings fall, critics have praised the current season, which sees Martin Sheen's President Josiah Bartlet seeing out his final term as President as a Democrat candidate played by Jimmy Smits and a Republican portrayed by Alan Alda battle to succeed him in the White House.
The decision to end the show follows the untimely death of one of its leading stars John Spencer, who played former Presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry. Spencer died of a heart attack shortly before Christmas.
Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment president, said: "There's a point when you look at the ratings and say, it feels like it's time."
The series, created by Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, will finish in the spring in the US with the inauguration of the new president. Before the show runs its course, it might well see the return of one of its earlier stars, Rob Lowe, who left after season four.
Lowe played Sam Seaborn, the White House deputy communications director.
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