Just when it looked like "24" could be on the verge of cancellation, reports suggest the series may make a return for another year ...on NBC.

Fox have apparently been looking to drop the bomb on the action-packed, anti-terror series in favour of developing a big screen movie franchise. The last few years of the popular series have seen a decline in ratings while productions costs spiral, leading to the belief that this season could be the last.

Due to the age of the series, not to mention the budget required to keep it on the air, it was thought unlikely that any other network would be interested in the one-time ratings juggernaut. However, NBC is said to be in talks to acquire the series.

If the plan goes ahead (and at this point, it looks like a serious if), it could delay plans to launch the show onto the big screen.

Representatives of Fox or NBC have failed to comment.