HMG – Since making its debut in November of 2001, the Kiefer Sutherland real-time action drama, 24 has been an international hit and a solid bet in the ratings. But now it seems Fox is ready to wind down the clock.

In its innovative nine-year run the series was a constant success with both public and critics, but the ratings are sliding and costs are going up, so the suits at Fox are expected to make this season 24’s last.

The final, fateful choice will probably be made by the end of this week.

Insiders say the network is considering leasing the series to other networks, but given the high cost of production the reaction to that plot from their rivals would be luke-warm at best.

But 24’s fans need not despair – Jack Bauer may disappear from your TV screen, but it’s highly likely he’ll be back on the huge one;  Keifer and the ‘24′ team have been making plans for a movie for years, but while the show was in production those plans were a dream. If the ax does fall they can make the dream real.

Fox already has a draft script that takes Bauer to Europe, and the suits at the network apparently like the thought..

And its not the show’s long run has not been unrewarded – 24 has won 7 Emmy’s, two Golden Globes, a Producer’s Guild Award, four SAG statuettes and even the 2004 ‘Royal Television Society Award’ from the very picky Brits.

As we said, this may still come to nothing. But Variety says costs are rising and the audience isn’t, so the chances of stopping this clock are depressingly high.

We’ll keep you informed if or when the choice appears…