Dancing with the Stars Has Biggest Year in Nearly a Decade

Dancing with the Stars had its biggest ratings in nearly a decade, with Season 34 averaging 6.5 million same-day viewers—the highest total since Season 28 in 2019. The show's November 26, 2025 finale drew 9.24 million viewers, marking the strongest-rated finale in nine years and signaling a major comeback for the long-running competition series.

Ratings Resurgence

The Season 34 finale, which saw Robert Irwin and Witney Carson take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, earned a 2.15 rating with adults 18-49, the show's best performance in that demographic since 2016. The three-hour episode represented the largest same-day audience for a DWTS finale since November 2016, when 10.97 million people watched. Throughout the season, viewership steadily climbed, with the semifinals hitting 7.22 million viewers during Prince-themed night.

The show has seen viewers return in droves after moving to a dual-platform strategy. While Dancing with the Stars moved from ABC to Disney+ beginning with Season 31 in 2022, Season 34 marked the third season to air live simultaneously on both ABC and Disney+. This approach allows the show to reach both traditional television viewers and streaming audiences, maximizing its potential viewership.

What Changed

New casting choices and format tweaks have revitalized the series, making it one of ABC's top performers. Season 34 featured a compelling mix of celebrities, including wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin (son of the late Steve Irwin), Olympic athletes, actors, and social media stars. The casting struck a balance between recognizable names and contestants with genuine dancing potential, creating competitive performances that kept viewers engaged.

The show also benefited from the 20th anniversary celebration, with special tributes to memorable moments and returning professional dancers. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough brought energy and expertise, while hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough kept the show moving at a brisk pace. The production incorporated fan feedback, reducing filler content and focusing more on the dancing itself.

Younger Viewers Return

Perhaps most significantly, Dancing with the Stars has seen a surge in younger viewers. The show hit season highs among adults 18-49 throughout Season 34, reversing years of aging demographics. The September 16 premiere won its night with 5.5 million total viewers and saw 21 million votes cast—up 163% from the previous season. This engagement from younger audiences, driven partly by social media buzz and TikTok clips, has made the show relevant again.

The dual-platform strategy proved crucial for reaching younger viewers who prefer streaming. Disney+ subscribers could watch live or on-demand, while ABC captured traditional television audiences. This approach, combined with active social media promotion and behind-the-scenes content, created a multi-generational viewing experience that few broadcast shows achieve.

Competition Landscape

Dancing with the Stars' success comes as broadcast television struggles to maintain viewership in the streaming era. The show now regularly wins its time period, dominating the 8-10 p.m. slot on Tuesday nights. Its performance has made it a cornerstone of ABC's unscripted programming, earning an official renewal for the 2025-26 schedule—the first of ABC's unscripted programs to receive such early confirmation.

The show's revival also reflects broader trends in reality television, where established franchises with proven formats are outperforming new concepts. Networks are investing in shows with built-in audiences rather than gambling on untested ideas, and Dancing with the Stars exemplifies this strategy's success.

Looking Ahead

With Season 34's success, ABC and Disney+ have committed to Season 35, which will premiere in fall 2026. Producers are already in talks with potential celebrity contestants, aiming to maintain the momentum. The show's ability to attract both mainstream celebrities and viral internet personalities gives it a unique advantage in casting, allowing it to appeal to diverse audience segments.

The revival of Dancing with the Stars demonstrates that traditional competition formats can still thrive in the modern television landscape. By adapting to new viewing habits while maintaining the core elements that made it successful, the show has secured its place as a broadcast television staple for years to come. For ABC, it represents a rare bright spot in an increasingly challenging environment for network television.