24 is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning United States television series. Broadcast by Fox Network in the USA and syndicated worldwide, the show first aired on November 6, 2001, with an initial thirteen episodes. In January 2007, 24 was made available online to U.S. viewers through Fox on Demand. The first six seasons were all centered around the fictional Los Angeles branch of the U.S. government Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU).

24 is presented in real time, with each season depicting a 24-hour period in the life of Jack Bauer, who works with the U.S. government as it fights threats on U.S. soil. Bauer is often in the field for the fictional Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) as they try to safeguard the nation from terrorist threats. The show also follows the actions of other CTU agents, government officials and terrorists associated with the plot. The first six seasons of the show were all based in Los Angeles and nearby locations - both real and fictional - in California, although occasionally other locations have been featured as well - most notably, Washington, D.C., where a significant portion of the action took place during the fourth and sixth seasons. Promotional materials for the seventh season have already established that, departing from tradition, it will be set primarily in Washington, D.C.

After leading actor Kiefer Sutherland won a Golden Globe for his role in the first 10 episodes, the ratings of the show increased, leading FOX to order the second half of the season. There have been six seasons of 24 produced. On May 15 2007, it was confirmed that FOX has ordered seventh and eighth seasons. A motion picture based on the show has been written and was scheduled to be filmed in 2007 for a 2008 release but plans for production were put on hold to focus on the TV series.

The seventh season, originally scheduled to premiere on January 13 2008, was initially postponed in the wake of the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike to ensure a non stop season, a trademark of the show since the start of its fourth season in January 2005. It is now officially postponed until January 2009.

To help offset the strike-induced delay, 24 will be returning next fall with a two-hour prequel that will take place almost a year after day six and will "set up the story that launches season seven".

In this concept drama, each season takes place within one 24 hour period. Jack Bauer is the head of an elite team of CIA agents who uncover an assassination plot targeting Presidential nominee David Palmer. Meanwhile, Jack's strained marriage to his wife, Teri, is pushed to the brink by the sudden disappearance of their troubled teenage daughter. What will the next 24 hours hold? Written by Ronos

Season 4 takes place 18 months after Season 3. Jack has been fired by Tony Almeida's replacement, Erin Driscoll, as have most of the agents featured in Season 3, except Chloe O'Brian. Jack now works for the Secretary of Defense, James Heller, and is dating his daughter, Audrey Raines. Jack has sworn to put his past behind him, but as a new threat emerges and Jack finds himself on the verge of returning to the life he tried to forget. Written by cubsfanatic8228

Counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer is having a really horrible day: he has to prevent the assassination of an incredibly-popular Presidential candidate, his teen daughter snuck out of the house, his wife is out looking for her, and his unit has a traitor among the ranks. Written by Jeff Cross

Season 5: 18 Months have passed since Jack Bauer stole away across the train tracks after faking his own death. He's now living a quiet life in Bakersfield California, with a new love interest and her teenage son. But when a terrorist sniper's bullet kills one of his dearest friends, Jack Bauer cocks his gun and heads back to Los Angeles, and another day of work as America's most dangerous counter-terrorist agent. Written by timberstorm

Jack Bauer is a counterterrorism agent for whom each day is more absurd and terrifying than the last one. In the first season/day, he had to deal with assassination attempts on a presidential candidate and his daughter's disappearance. In the second season/day (the time of this writing) he has to track down and stop a massive nuclear weapon from destroying Los Angeles. Meanwhile, his daughter is on a chase of her own. What will the next day hold... if there is one? Written by Anonymous

Day 5: Eighteen months after Day 4, Jack Bauer has a new name, a new identity, and a new home with a mother and son. However, when someone begins hunting down the only people who know he's still alive, Jack must return to Los Angeles and confront his past. Not only has he been framed for a high-profile crime, but whoever's behind it is plotting to make this day even worse for Jack, and possibly the worst for all of America. Written by G-reaper

Season Two: It's been more than a year after Jack Bauer experienced the longest and most painful day of his life. But things are about to get much worse. A nuclear bomb has been planted in Los Angeles. President David Palmer has no choice but to call Jack back to CTU for another day of hardships. Mason, the new head, is, of course, not happy about this. Now, his daughter Kim is running from her employer, who is threatening to kill her. Palmer now must deal with his political staff, most of which are plotting against his actions on how to deal with the crisis. And Jack must face the toughest challenge of his life... finding the bomb with aid from the woman who killed his wife, Nina Myers. The clock is ticking... Written by Kaufman

Season 6: Another bad day for Jack Bauer begins with him being handed over to American authorities after 20 brutal months in Chinese custody. Jack's glorious return is short-lived when he realizes that for the previous 11 weeks, the country has gone through a series of horrific terrorist attacks, with over 1000 civilians dead, no suspects in custody, and no end in sight, unless CTU gives Jack up to the terrorists. His country has brought him back, just to give him up again, and it appears as if Jack Bauer's minutes are numbered. Meanwhile, President Wayne Palmer struggles to keep the country intact amid panic, while also fighting major battles within his administration, with the possibility that conspirators from 20 months earlier are still looming in the background. Written by timberstorm

Season 3: 3 years after the 2nd season, Jack Bauer is still working at CTU along with his daughter, Kim, and her boyfriend, Chase. Things begin to heat up as a drug cartel threatens to release a virus if their leader is not released. President Palmer is running for re-election and has to deal with a smear campaign launched by his opponent, and a traitor is operating in CTU. It's gonna be one hell of a day! Written by TIM1370

The first season of the show featured Agent Jack Bauer, a government agent, attempting to stop the assassination of a presidential candidate while at the same time uncovering a mole within CTU (Counter-terrorist Unit). The show has since continued with different espionage conflicts throughout the seasons, but the show is always run in real-time format. Written by Flotis