24 is a thriller which is shown in "real-time," with each minute of airtime corresponding to a minute in the lives of the characters.[9] Commercial breaks are placed at times when non-essential plot is taking place (e.g. characters driving somewhere will begin when a commercial break starts and arrive at their destination at the end of the commercial break.) This allows for the show to actually occur in real time without compromising action. The real time of the show continues to roll during the commercials throughout the show, emphasizing the reality of the 24 hours of the season which the characters work. Finally, 24 does not use slow motion techniques, even on moments of rapid action or sleight-of-hand which other franchises might choose to emphasize in that way.
Actual show run time without commercials is between 42-44 minutes, as is typical for hour long television shows on many commercial stations. However, the effect only works if episodes are shown with commercial breaks during the show and then only if these are inserted at the right points in time and have the same length, which may not fit in with the normal programming of a commercial station. Region Code: 3