Dancing with the Stars: Season 35; ABC Competition Series Renewed for 2026-27

Key Takeaways

• ABC renews Dancing with the Stars for 35th season (2026‑27).
• Season 34 viewership rose 33% to 6.49 million, demo up 83%.
• Spin‑off The Next Pro ordered to feed new professional dancers.
• Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return, judges unchanged.
• Celebrity lineup includes Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins for anniversary season.

Pulse Analysis

The renewal of Dancing with the Stars for a 35th season signals ABC’s strategic bet on legacy programming that still commands strong advertiser‑friendly demographics. After a modest 34th‑season run, the series posted a 1.34 rating in the coveted 18‑49 bracket and a 33% lift in total viewers, making it the network’s top‑performing show this cycle. Such numbers not only justify the renewal but also give ABC leverage in negotiating ad rates and cross‑promotional opportunities, especially as streaming competition intensifies.

Beyond the main series, ABC’s decision to launch Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro adds a fresh layer to the franchise’s ecosystem. The spin‑off will showcase twelve emerging dancers vying for a professional slot on the flagship program, effectively creating an internal talent pipeline. This approach reduces reliance on external casting and keeps the core show’s choreography innovative. In a crowded reality‑competition market, the added narrative of aspiring pros can attract younger viewers and generate additional social‑media buzz, further extending the brand’s reach.

The broader television landscape shows a resurgence of event‑style programming that can draw live audiences, a metric increasingly valuable in an era dominated by on‑demand streaming. Dancing with the Stars leverages its celebrity draw and weekly elimination format to generate appointment viewing, which translates into higher live ratings and premium ad inventory. As networks scramble to retain ad dollars, the show’s proven ability to boost demo ratings by over 80% positions it as a cornerstone of ABC’s upcoming schedule, while the spin‑off offers a scalable model other broadcasters may emulate.