How low can you go?

I think we'll all find out how sharply a TV show's ratings can plunge in January when ...

The summer hit “Dancing with the Stars” will return with an eight-week run, beginning Thursday, January 5 (8:00 p.m., ET), it was announced today by Andrea Wong, executive vice president, Alternative Programming, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. This summer’s only true hit series, “Dancing” will replace the action drama “Alias,” which will take a broadcast hiatus due to Jennifer Garner’s maternity leave and which is scheduled to return to the lineup with original episodes in the spring.