QIt looks like Jack Bauer's counter-terrorism days may not be over after all.

Earlier this week Variety reported that the Fox network was prepared to end the long-running, Emmy-winning '24' this season (it's eighth), but now Entertainment Weekly's The Ausiello Files has reported that the 20th Century Fox production company (which makes '24') and NBC are in talks about the latter picking up the series.

The reason for Fox's disillusionment with '24' is two-fold: rising costs and lowered ratings. That might not deter NBC, which is searching for shows to boost it's sagging primetime ratings.

According to The Ausiello Files, a move to NBC would delay 20th's rumored plans to launch a Jack Bauer film franchise, since it would be difficult to make a movie while the cast was filming episodes for TV.

If NBC goes for the deal -- provided of course that Fox does cancel the series -- it would make more sense, however, for NBC to port '24' to its USA outlet, where it would fit in nicely with 'Burn Notice' and 'White Collar.'