The series makes its comeback with hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, launching a two‑night premiere that features a double‑elimination format.
Dancing with the Stars returns for its 35th season, with the premiere split across two nights. On Tuesday, the male celebrities and their partners take the floor, and one couple is eliminated at the end of the episode. Wednesday follows the same two‑hour format, showcasing the female celebrities and their dance partners.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough serve as co‑hosts, while the judging panel includes Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. After the two‑night premiere, the series reverts to its standard Tuesday‑night, two‑hour broadcast.
At a Glance: How to Watch the Dancing With the Stars Premiere
The show airs at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC, with live streaming available on Disney+ and next‑day access on Hulu. Viewers can also tune in via a free trial of live‑TV services such as DirecTV or Fubo.
This season’s celebrity cast features actors Harry Shum Jr. and Julia Stiles, figure skater Amber Glenn, reality‑TV stars Tyler Cameron and Ciara Miller, and chef Giada De Laurentiis. Each performer will dance to a chart‑topping hit from their birth year, with songs such as Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Santana’s “Smooth” (featuring Rob Thomas), and Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”
One contestant will be eliminated each night, with the results based on judges’ scores and online fan voting. Wednesday’s episode will also include a one‑hour DWTS After Party hosted by Robert Irwin.
How to Watch Dancing With the Stars
Dancing with the Stars airs on ABC, which is accessible for free over the air. Without an antenna or cable subscription, viewers can stream ABC through a free trial of live‑TV providers such as DirecTV or Fubo.
Alternatively, the series can be streamed live via Disney+ or watched the following day on Hulu—neither platform provides a free trial. Below are the available streaming options for Dancing with the Stars.
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DirecTV
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 185+ channels
ABC is included in all of DirecTV’s core packages, with Disney+ and Hulu offered through the Entertainment add‑on. Each subscription tier comes with a five‑day free trial.
Disney+
➤ Available with Hulu Bundle
➤ $11.99/month
➤ Includes select live events
Disney+ does not provide a free trial, but it can be obtained as part of a discounted bundle with Hulu. Dancing with the Stars will stream live on Disney+ simultaneously with its ABC broadcast.
Fubo
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 300+ channels
Similar to DirecTV, Fubo includes ABC in its primary streaming package and grants a five‑day free trial upon signup. Fubo is also a favored choice for sports fans, offering regional sports networks and other sports‑focused channels.
