Tuesday, January 16, 2007

DANCING WITH THE STARS Returns To ABC On March 26th

ABC Announces The Return Of The Hit Series DANCING WITH THE STARS, Monday, March 19

The First Two Episodes, Airing March 19 and the Following Monday, March 26, Will Be Special Two-Hour Performance Shows

Performance Shows Will Air Every Monday, with Results Shows on Tuesdays

The ABC Television Network announces the return of hit series DANCING WITH THE STARS with a two-hour premiere on Monday, March 19 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET). To offer viewers two weeks to see the performers in action before voting, the first results show will air on week two. The second performance show, airing Monday, March 26, will also be two hours in length (8:00-10:00 p.m.), and the first results show will air Tuesday, March 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET).

Beginning April 2, DANCING WITH THE STARS will air Mondays from 8:00-9:30 p.m, and DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW on Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 p.m.

"The great thing about this air schedule is that fans won’t have to choose between the two reality hits this Spring," said Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment.

The new cast will be announced on "Good Morning America" closer to premiere.

Growing its audience among viewers and young adults each season since its debut in Summer 2005, ABC’s DANCING WITH THE STARS has established itself as one of television’s most popular series. The program has consistently improved its time periods and been a top competitor in those slots. This season DANCING WITH THE STARS stands as the second-most-watched program on television, while qualifying as the No. 1 unscripted TV series in Total Viewers (20.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.8/15). DANCING WITH THE STARS attracts a highly desirable upscale young adult audience, ranking among the highest-rated shows on TV with Adults 18-49 in homes earning $100K+ annual income (No. 6 = 5.9 rating). It’s the No. 1 unscripted series with high-income young adults. On its third season finale during the 2006 November Sweep (11/15/06), DANCING WITH THE STARS achieved the series’ most-watched telecast ever, with an average audience of 27.7 million viewers.

DANCING WITH THE STARS is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide. Conrad Green and Richard Hopkins are executive producers and Izzie Pick is co-executive producer. Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are supervising producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.