Facebook to Have Screen Time During Dancing with the Stars

If you think your TV screens are cluttered with information now - crawls,

Tweets, logos - get ready for more.

ABC and Facebook announced today that they are partnering to bring "real-time social conversations" to your TV.  ABC will be the first entertainment network to integrate Facebook's newest tools for broadcast partners on primetime television with the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" tonight (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET). 

Facebook will be bringing the conversations already taking place about "Dancing with the Stars" online to the TV screen by enabling the audience to see how many people on Facebook are talking about the contestants, where the couples are generating the most buzz, whether they're more popular among males or females, and where their fans live. Real-time conversations about the show from Facebook users will be displayed during the broadcast. 

"Being the first entertainment partner to leverage this new technology exhibits our commitment to producing the best live experience possible," said Marla Provencio, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, ABC Entertainment Group. "We are always looking for ways to innovate and engage our loyal fan base, and feel 'Dancing with the Stars' in particular is the perfect fit to kick off this new initiative."

Added Nick Grudin, Director of Partnerships at Facebook: "Debuting with 'Dancing with the Stars' as our first entertainment partner is a natural fit. From cheering for their favorite contestants to debating judging decisions, the show drives passionate conversation from viewers. Now the TV audience will get a real-time snapshot of the social discourse across the nation."

The new season of "Dancing with the Stars" will feature celebrities Elizabeth Berkley, Corbin Bleu, Brant Daugherty, Bill Engvall, Valerie Harper, Keyshawn Johnson, Christina Milian, Bill Nye, Jack Osbourne, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Leah Remini and Amber Riley. 

"Dancing with the Stars" is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green, Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Joe Sungkur are executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. "Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1.