America's Ballroom Challenge Is Back

Public broadcasting's contribution to ballroom dancing on television returns for a second season.

America's Ballroom Challenge premiered last year, a reinvention of the perennial pledge-drive favorite Championship Ballroom Dancing. Both seasons of America's Ballroom Challenge were filmed at The Ohio Star Ball, one of the most prestigious ballroom competitions in America.

This season, the show's format changes from two episodes to five hour-long episodes. One hour is devoted to each of the featured dance styles -- American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Standard, and International Latin -- before a final round of dancing to determine the overall winner.

Several of the professional dancers featured on Dancing with the Stars participated in the competition, including show regulars Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko.

America's Ballroom Challenge airs on Chicago's WTTW at 8 pm on Wednesday, January 31. Check PBS.org for your local listing.

To get in the mood for the new season, here's my favorite performance from last season.