“America’s Ballroom Challenge” takes the floor

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 30, PBS began airing “America’s Ballroom Challenge,” an exciting series that brings together top dancers from around the world who compete across dance styles for the title of “America’s Best.” Dancers from within the Fred Astaire family are participating in the competition.

The series is returning for a third season with five one-hour episodes. Shot in high definition at the world’s largest ballroom dancing competition in Columbus, Ohio, “America’s Ballroom Challenge” airs Wednesday nights through Feb. 27 from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.

Hosted by actress and dancer Jasmine Guy and seven-time U.S. National Latin Dance Champion Ron Montez, the first installment of “America’s Ballroom Challenge” will feature the American Smooth competition. In coming weeks, the show will focus on American Rhythm, International Standard and International Latin.

The six finalists in each style will first compete as a group, performing the five standard dances in the category, with expert judges scoring their performances. Then the dancers will have an opportunity to shine, performing a show dance solo. Each program will end with the crowning of one couple, named champions in that style.

In the fifth and final program, the four champions will compete across dance styles for the coveted title, with each couple performing two pull-out-all-the-stops solos.