DANCING WITH THE STARS: Returns to Live View Ratings

Published: October 4, 2023

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Returns to Live View Ratings

By Movieguide® Contributor

DANCING WITH THE STARS is reporting no change in viewership numbers from 2021 to this season’s premiere.

“6.50 million viewers tuned in,” Deadline reported, adding, “The hourlong premiere averaged a 1.08 rating among adults 18-49.”

ABC stated that 2021’s season premiere also averaged 6.50 million viewers. Last season premiered on Disney+, which never released any viewership stats.

The Wrap reported that the 2022 decision to move DANCING WITH THE STARS to the streaming platform came “after a long slide in the ratings over the ballroom dancing competition’s long 16-year, 30-season run.”

“Over the past five years, the TV industry has rapidly changed with the rise of streaming. In that period alone, DANCING WITH THE STARS has basically halved both its rating and viewership numbers,” the outlet continued.

This year, the dance competition was simulcast on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu, which boosted the viewing numbers.

Many DANCING WITH THE STARS fans were happy the WGA strikes ended in time for the show to premiere with all competitors present.

“Striking WGA writers picketed rehearsals last week, targeting comedian Matt Walsh, and actresses Alyson Hannigan and Mira Sorvino,” Entertainment Weekly wrote. “Walsh temporarily bowed out of the competition until Sunday’s tentative agreement between the WGA and the AMPTP, which gave him the okay to dance.”

Movieguide® previously reported on some of the show’s contestants, including Jamie Lynn Spears:

“Decided to lace up my dancing shoes for a good reason,” Spears shared on her Instagram. “I was offered an opportunity that is completely out of the ordinary of something I would normally ever do, but it’s during a time where my community #SAG & #WGA are on strike & all of us members are unable to work until we have reached a fair resolution, so if I’m able to use this unique opportunity to bring more awareness and to donate the salary I get for dancing each week back to the community who has given me so much, then it’s the least I can do.”

She continued, “I could not ask for a better partner then @alanbersten to guide me through this adventure. I’m not gonna lie, I’m scared, but I’m just gonna have fun and hopefully be able to give back in a meaningful way until we can ALL GET BACK TO OUR DAY JOBS.”