Dancing with the Stars moves back to ABC after one season exclusively on Disney+
Dancing with the Stars is returning to ABC after spending a single season as a Disney+ exclusive. The move surprised many viewers and industry observers, since last season marked the show’s first live debut on the streaming service and represented a notable shift from traditional broadcast to digital. At the time the series was renewed for two seasons on Disney+, it became the first live series to premiere on that platform and the first live-streaming reality show of its kind in the U.S.
Disney+ did not release public viewership figures for season 31, so the precise audience impact of the exclusive run remains unclear. Season 31 concluded with social media star Charli D’Amelio and professional dancer Mark Ballas winning the Mirrorball Trophy. Following the finale, Mark Ballas and longtime pro Cheryl Burke announced they would not be returning to the show.
The choice to move Dancing with the Stars off ABC originally appeared designed to drive subscriptions for Disney’s streaming service, since the show had long been a dependable performer on network television. Whether the platform switch achieved that business objective is uncertain, but ratings and engagement conversations around the series have persisted throughout the transition.
Is the Writers Guild strike a factor?
Industry context may have influenced the decision to shift the show back to ABC. The Writers Guild of America recently initiated a strike, and a prolonged work stoppage would significantly affect scripted programming across networks and streamers. Reality shows, which typically do not rely on union writers, offer a ready source of unscripted content that broadcasters can use to fill gaps. Moving Dancing with the Stars back to network broadcast could be seen as a strategic response to potential long-term content shortages caused by the strike.
Cast shakeup for season 32
Season 32 brings a substantial cast reshuffle. Host Tyra Banks has departed after three seasons, and she will not return for the upcoming run. In her place, former pro and judge Julianne Hough is joining Alfonso Ribeiro as co-host. Alfonso will be positioned on the ballroom floor alongside contestants and judges, while Julianne will conduct interviews from a Sky Box, changing the dynamic of the show’s presentation and contestant interactions.
The judging panel has also changed in recent months. Longtime head judge Len Goodman retired last year and sadly passed away last month at age 78. The show will continue with Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli returning to the judges’ table for the new season, maintaining continuity in critique and choreography evaluation.
On the professional dancer side, Val Chmerkovskiy has confirmed he will return as a pro for season 32. Val noted his enthusiasm for coming back after a strong run in season 31 and hopes to carry that momentum forward. His wife Jenna Johnson sat out season 31 following the birth of their child but is expected to return to the ballroom. Val also suggested that his sister-in-law, Peta Murgatroyd, who along with Maks Chmerkovskiy is expecting a second child in June, will likely rejoin the cast. Maks Chmerkovskiy, however, does not plan to return for the upcoming season.
These changes mark a significant retooling of the series’ on-screen talent, blending new hosting arrangements with familiar judging faces and a mix of returning and absent professional dancers. Viewers can expect a different tempo and presentation this season as the show adapts to its return to network television and to behind-the-scenes shifts among talent.
As Dancing with the Stars settles back onto ABC, fans and industry watchers will be paying close attention to ratings trends, audience reception to the new hosting setup, and how production navigates the broader challenges facing television—particularly if the writers’ strike continues. While the show’s format and competitive spirit remain intact, the season ahead promises fresh dynamics both on and off the dance floor.