24 is an American serial action/drama television series. Broadcast by Fox in the United States and syndicated worldwide, the show first aired on November 6, 2001, with an initial 13 episodes (the next 11 episodes were later ordered). 24 is the second longest-running espionage series in television history, behind the original Mission: Impossible series by number of episodes and The Avengers by longevity of broadcast. However, after the conclusion of the eighth season, 24 will become the record holder in both these categories.

24 is broadcast in the semblance of real time, with each season depicting a 24-hour period in the life of Jack Bauer, who works with the United States government as it fights fictitious terrorist threats to the United States. Bauer is often in the field for the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit as it tries 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 California locations—both real and fictional. Occasionally other locations have been featured as well—most notably, Washington, D.C., where a portion of the fourth and sixth seasons took place. Departing from tradition, the seventh season is set primarily in Washington, D.C. Season 8 is to take place in New York City. No decision has been made on whether the show will return for a ninth season.24 last year, no season nine? | TV Series Finale