MTV programming executive Chris Linn told several publications that the reason why MTV canceled it's reality TV show "Jersey Shore" had nothing to do with the budget but that the network came to realize that it was the right time.

In an interview on Friday with TV Guide, Linn said the show continues to have good ratings and remained the No. 1 show in the audience 12-34 each week. It also denied that it became too expensive for the network to sustain as the stars became more popular and their salaries spiked.

"We've had Jersey Shore on our air for a while now and it's burned brightly and been a big piece of who we are, but we don't want to repeat ourselves. We've constantly looking to reinvent. It's a difficult choice to kill your baby, but sometimes you have to do that and move on," Linn told the magazine.

Linn also cleared up conflicting reports about when the cast was told that the show had been canceled and said that MTV "just recently confirmed the information" to the cast.

When asked about the cast's reaction he said:

"It's emotional. Mainly because this has been such an amazing ride for everyone involved. They were completely plucked out of anonymity and this has changed their lives in ways I don't think any of us anticipated. It's been a fast and exciting run, so I think there are lot of emotions that come into play. I think it's a bit bittersweet for all of us," Linn told Entertainment Weekly.

The cancellation came the same week that Jersey Shore's Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi gave birth to her son Lorenzo.

And in fact, Linn said a big part of  MTV's decision to end the series was that the stars were growing up.

"The show started out as an authentic phenomenon of what occurs when young people get together to live in a summer shore house. Over time your life starts to move on in ways that take you in different directions. They're changing and we've always wanted to be able to go out on a high note.," he told TV Guide.

"Jersey Shore's" sixth and last season premieres on October 4 at 10 pm EST .

MTV is running also the reality show "Snooki & JWOWWW" which has been renewed for season two.

Tags: Jersey Shore Snooki