SERIES PREMIERE

FROM THE PRODUCERS THAT MADE AMERICA FALL IN LOVE WITH BALLROOM DANCING

ABC ANNOUNCES "SKATING WITH THE STARS," PRODUCED BY BBC WORLDWIDE PRODUCTIONS

CELEBRITIES AND WORLD CLASS ICE SKATERS COMPETE LIVE IN A BREATHTAKING, NEW REALITY COMPETITION SHOWDOWN

You've seen what happens when celebrities take on the ballroom, now see what happens when they hit the ice on blades of steel, in "Skating with the Stars." The new series from BBC Worldwide Productions pairs a celebrity with a world class ice skater as they prepare to compete in front of a live audience in a televised ice skating competition. The skating pairs will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges and will receive a set of scores based on artistry and technique and by viewers at home, with one couple being eliminated each week. "Skating with the Stars" will kick off its six-episode run with a live premiere episode on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The "Skating with the Stars" all-star cast will be revealed on-air, November 2nd during the live "Dancing with the Stars Results" show.

In the first round of competition, the mood will be tense. Anything can happen when the skating pairs lace up and take to the ice -- live! After enduring hours of rigorous training, the celebrities will display their best figure skating and ice dancing moves on what is sure to be one of the world's most spectacular ice rink sets. Danger will hover close each week as the couples are challenged to incorporate various intense moves into their routines, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

"Skating with the Stars" is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Izzie Pick ("Dancing with the Stars," and the UK's "Strictly Come Dancing") and Phil Edgar Jones ("Big Brother," and "Celebrity Big Brother") serve as executive producers. Paul Osborne ("I'm a Celebrity... Get me Out of Here!," and "Secret Millionaire") will serve as co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski ("Dancing with the Stars") will direct.

About BBC Worldwide Productions:

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). In the U.S., BBC Worldwide Productions, one of BBC Worldwide's seven core businesses, is based in Los Angeles and New York and develops scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks. It is responsible for the smash hit "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC) and is also currently in production on "Top Gear" (HISTORY), "Skating with the Stars" (ABC) and "Torchwood: The New World" (Starz).