LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3  -- Season 8 of the U. S. dance competition series "Dancing with the Stars" is scheduled to begin in March, ABC announced Wednesday.

The two-hour season premiere is to air March 9 with a cast of yet-to-be-announced celebrities.

"As with Season 5, each couple will have the opportunity to perform for two weeks prior to the first elimination, with every couple performing on both March 9 and March 16," ABC said in a news release.

"Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" is to debut March 17.

Model and television personality Brooke Burke and her professional dance partner Derek Hough were the winners in Season 7, which ended last month. (UPI)