ABC Reveals Record-Breaking Viewer Engagement for ‘Dancing with the Stars’

ABC has remarkably disclosed details on the viewer engagement for its popular show “Dancing with the Stars,” revealing that a recent episode garnered over 14 million fan votes—setting a record for the series. The network, which launched the show in 2005, had previously kept voting numbers private.

In a recent episode that saw the elimination of Delvey, dubbed “the fashionista,” and a star from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” viewers demonstrated their passion by casting the highest number of votes ever received on a single episode. This engagement outpaced one of the show’s most-watched episodes in 2011 when NFL star Hines Ward and Kym Johnson won the competition.

“Viewers can vote multiple times, allowing fans to vote up to 10 times for each couple,” said Conrad Green, the executive producer, in a statement to Deadline. “This indicates a great deal of enthusiasm among the audience for our stars this year.”

After the premiere of Season 33, “Dancing with the Stars” saw an increase in its audience across various ABC platforms, including Disney+ and Hulu. The premiere recorded a total of 7.32 million viewers, marking a 47% increase from initial day figures, and acquired a 1.31 rating among adults aged 18-49, escalating by 79% from its live broadcast rating.

The show, produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles, continues to attract audiences with stars such as Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and NBA champion Dwight Howard. Green emphasized the variety within the cast, stating, “This group of stars are really likable and talented, and their passion for the show resonates with the live audience.”

With performances influenced by iconic shows, “Dancing with the Stars” is offering themed nights, such as “Soul Train Night” and “Hair Metal Night,” incorporating traditional dances like the Rumba and the Tango. This week marks a special occurrence with no eliminations on “Soul Train Night,” allowing fans to purely enjoy the performances.

The show also connects with a new generation of viewers through social platforms such as TikTok, reinforcing its relevance in an evolving media landscape. Upcoming episodes will air on back-to-back nights to compensate for prior schedule changes, giving fans more opportunities to engage with their favorite couples via online and SMS voting.