SEASON PREMIERE

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE BALL: WHICH STAR WILL WIN IT ALL?

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED, LIVE TWO-HOUR SEASON 16 PREMIERE OF ABC'S HIT SHOW, "DANCING WITH THE STARS," AIRS MONDAY, MARCH 18

"Dancing with the Stars: Exclusive First Look" Features Extended Backstage Material, Interviews and Highlights of the "First Night" Dances, Tuesday, March 19

"Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" Premieres in Week Two, With the First Elimination on Tuesday, March 26

"Episode 1601" -- "Dancing with the Stars" is back with an all-new cast of fresh faces hitting the dance floor. This season features two new dance styles, contemporary and jazz; three new professional dance partners -- Lindsay Arnold, Sharna Burgess & Gleb Savchenko; and notable theme shows. In May, "Dancing with the Stars" will commemorate their 300th episode with a spectacular celebration. The competition begins with the two-hour Season 16 premiere, live, MONDAY, MARCH 18 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" premieres in week two, with the first elimination on Tuesday, March 26.

"Dancing with the Stars: Exclusive First Look," a clip show featuring extended backstage material, interviews and highlights of the "first night" dances, airs TUESDAY, MARCH 19 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

Hosted by Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Brooke Burke-Charvet ("Dancing with the Stars" Season 7 champion), the celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

The celebrities and their partners for Season 16 of "Dancing with the Stars" are:

Andy Dick & Sharna Burgess
Dorothy Hamill & Tristan MacManus
D.L. Hughley & Cheryl Burke
Jacoby Jones & Karina Smirnoff
Wynonna Judd & Tony Dovolani
Sean Lowe & Peta Murgatroyd
Victor Ortiz & Lindsay Arnold
Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
Ingo Rademacher & Kym Johnson
Alexandra Raisman & Mark Ballas
Lisa Vanderpump & Gleb Savchenko
Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy

ABC.com is back with a new web series, "Dancing with the Stars: Pre-Show," presented by AT&T. The original online video series promises to be the go-to resource for fans to come together before the Monday night episode of "Dancing with the Stars." Beginning with the premiere episode, each week fans will be able to log on http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/pre-show and watch as host Marc Istook ("After Party: Dancing with the Stars," "After Party: The Bachelorette") and field correspondent Jake Whetter (Radio Disney) speak with an array of expert panelists and celebrity fans. Additionally, guest correspondents Jessica Radloff (Glamour.com) and television personality Jeannie Mai join the panel to discuss the season's performances, offer insight and solicit demonstrations from ballroom dance experts who've previously appeared on the show.

On March 18, ABC Radio will re-launch its popular "Dancing with the Stars" station on Slacker, providing viewers exclusive backstage interviews with all the contestants, dancers and judges. The station will be available where Slacker Radio is available, including smartphones, the iPad and Ford vehicles with SYNC AppLink and on the web at: http://www.slacker.com/dwts. Every Monday and Tuesday, the ABC station will also feature insight and analysis from a variety of guest contributors, including "Dancing with the Stars: All Stars" champion Melissa Rycroft, former contestant and "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd and Entertainment Weekly's Annie Barrett.

About BBC Worldwide Productions

BBC Worldwide Productions is one of five core businesses under BBC Worldwide America, the U.S. division of the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Worldwide. Led by Jane Tranter, BBC Worldwide Productions is based in Los Angeles and develops and produces scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. The production company is responsible for titles including "Top Gear" (HISTORY), "What Not to Wear" (TLC), "Richard Hammond's Crash Course" (BBC AMERICA), "The Week the Women Went" (Lifetime), "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Starz) and the cultural phenomenon "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC).

"Dancing with the Stars" and "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" returns this season with new surprises and all the performance elements viewers have come to know and love. "Macy's Stars of Dance," featuring some of the best choreographers and performers from the different styles of dance who offer viewers performances that represent the pinnacle of achievement in their genres, will also return.

The show also welcomes the return of the "AT&T Spotlight Performance," which features and celebrates people whose lives have been changed forever by dance. AT&T is also helping the search to find these performers by allowing fans to nominate potential dancers.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday night during and up to 60 minutes after the "Dancing with the Stars" performance shows. AT&T customers may also vote by texting the word "VOTE" and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (message and data rates may apply). Online voting at www.ABC.com is open from the start of each episode on the East Coast and closes at 11:00 a.m., ET/8:00 a.m., PT on Tuesday mornings. Additionally, fans can again vote on Facebook www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars. A custom Facebook app sponsored by AT&T will let fans vote, share who they voted for and why, as well as see who friends voted for. They can also access the "Dancing with the Stars" Social Scene page, and the "AT&T Spotlight Performance" and Casting Call from the app.

"Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.