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ABC announced today an exciting new reality-competition program from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Productions, the team behind Dancing with the Stars, which transforms celebrities into ice dancers over six heart pumping weeks. Premiering later this year, the series will feature six celebrities paired with professional stars from the skating world as they dance on ice, reaching speeds upwards of 30 miles-an-hour on two thin blades.

Competing in a spectacular series of performances, the couples will battle it out on the ice, in themed competition rounds that will test both their performance abilities and athleticism. As the series rolls out, viewers will also be treated to various incredible performances from ice dancing and figure skating champions in a full theatrical-style production.

"ABC has become an incredible partner for us – we mirror each other’s vision in attaining production excellence and we look forward to taking our relationship to the ice," commented Jane Tranter, EVP Programming and Production, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Productions. "This program will be a truly unique and exciting experience for their viewers."

The new program, currently untitled, was developed by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Productions from the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s Strictly Ice Dancing format. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ premiered the original format as an extension of the hugely successful Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, bringing the first televised celebrity ice dancing competition to British viewers. Izzie Pick, currently Vice President, Programming Development, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Productions, and former Co-EP, Dancing with the Stars will executive produce. Michael Brooks, Emmy®-nominated producer on Dancing with the Stars will serve as co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski (also DWTS) will direct.

Christine Shaw Davis