Your Viewing Guide for 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 Premiere
Season 35 of 'Dancing With the Stars' premieres with a two-part event on Sept. 15 and 16, airing on ABC and simulcast on Disney+. Viewers can stream live via services like DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV, with a five-day free trial on some platforms. The season also introduces a new after show, 'DWTS After Party,' hosted by Robert Irwin, following the premiere episodes.
The premiere spans two consecutive evenings, with the second night concluding with a double elimination. Robert Irwin, who won the previous season, steps into a hosting role for the new companion program that recaps each episode's highlights and eliminations.
Viewers have multiple ways to watch beyond traditional cable. DirecTV's five-day trial covers both ABC and Disney+ through its Signature tiers, while Fubo offers similar trial access. Sling provides a lower-cost entry point in select markets, and Hulu subscribers can catch episodes the day after they air.
The return of Dancing With the Stars continues to demonstrate how legacy broadcast programming adapts to streaming-era viewing habits. The dual-platform simulcast and companion after show could attract younger audiences who primarily consume content through streaming services, while the multiple free-trial options may encourage cord-cutters to sample live television again. The show's longevity also suggests sustained cultural interest in dance competition formats, potentially influencing how other networks structure premieres and companion content.