ABC has officially greenlit the beloved dance competition series Dancing With the Stars for its 35th season, confirming the exciting news at Hulu’s Get Real event on April 22. The renewal arrives amidst a surge of renewed interest and impressive viewership for the show, a testament to its enduring appeal and successful evolution. While the full premiere date remains under wraps, anticipation is already building for the show’s return to ABC and Disney+ in the fall of 2026. This latest confirmation solidifies Dancing With the Stars‘ position as a consistent performer in the broadcast television landscape, captivating audiences for nearly two decades.
The announcement of Season 35’s renewal follows a period of significant momentum for the series. Season 34, which recently concluded, saw a notable resurgence in ratings, further underscoring the show’s ability to connect with viewers. This renewed success has not gone unnoticed by key figures within the Dancing With the Stars family. Long-time host Tom Bergeron, who made a guest appearance as a judge in Season 34, publicly advocated for the return of the show’s traditional results show format in 2026. Bergeron’s call to action, rooted in the observed record-breaking ratings, suggests a potential shift in the show’s broadcast strategy. Historically, Dancing With the Stars aired two nights a week, featuring a dedicated results show where eliminations were announced. The current format condenses the competition into a single night, with real-time voting determining the weekly eliminations. Whether ABC will heed Bergeron’s suggestion to reinstate the two-night-a-week model remains a key point of discussion among fans and industry observers.
A Look Ahead: Premiere Date and Broadcast Strategy
While an exact premiere date for Dancing With the Stars Season 35 has not yet been announced, ABC has confirmed that audiences can expect the competition to return in the fall of 2026. Based on the show’s historical programming patterns, a mid-September launch is highly probable, with episodes airing on both ABC and its streaming counterpart, Disney+. For the past three seasons, the show has found a comfortable home on Tuesday nights. However, its origins lie in Monday night broadcasts, and when the results show was a staple, the show commanded a significant presence on both Monday and Tuesday evenings.
The show’s scheduling has evolved considerably since its inception. Prior to 2019, Dancing With the Stars typically aired two seasons annually, one in the spring and another in the fall. This dual-season approach was a hallmark of its early success. However, beginning with Season 28, the network shifted to a single-season-per-year format. This strategic decision likely aimed to streamline production, enhance anticipation for each new installment, and potentially capitalize on a more focused marketing push. The enduring popularity of the show suggests this singular annual season has proven effective in maintaining audience engagement.
The Esteemed Judging Panel: A Look at the Stalwarts and Potential Additions
The composition of the judging panel for Season 35 is a subject of considerable interest, though official confirmations are still pending. The current iteration of the panel has featured Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli since Season 29, a trio that has brought a wealth of experience and distinct personalities to the show. Inaba and Tonioli, original judges since the show’s debut in 2005, bring an unparalleled depth of knowledge and history to the proceedings. Derek Hough, a celebrated professional dancer and choreographer, joined the panel towards the end of the tenure of the late Len Goodman, one of the show’s foundational judges who sadly passed away in April 2023.
Historically, the permanent judging panel has consisted of three members. However, there have been instances of four judges, most notably during the overlap of Len Goodman and Derek Hough’s tenures. Furthermore, Derek Hough’s sister, Julianne Hough, a talented dancer and performer in her own right, also served as a judge for five seasons. Four of those seasons involved a four-judge panel. Beyond the permanent fixtures, Dancing With the Stars has a well-established tradition of featuring guest judges each week. These celebrity and expert guests often bring unique perspectives and insights, adding an element of surprise and star power to the competition. Announcements regarding guest judges are typically made closer to the premiere of each season, allowing for strategic integration with current pop culture events and personalities. The consistent presence of seasoned judges, coupled with the rotating guest panel, has been instrumental in maintaining the show’s high standards and diverse appeal.
The First Glimpse of the Cast: Reality TV Stars Take Center Stage
The initial wave of cast announcements for Dancing With the Stars Season 35 has revealed two prominent figures from the reality television sphere: Ciara Miller, a fan-favorite from Summer House, and Maura Higgins, known for her appearances on The Traitors and Love Island. Both Miller and Higgins experienced significant career milestones and heightened public profiles in 2025, making their transition to the ballroom a fitting next step in their burgeoning entertainment careers.
Higgins expressed her enthusiasm and commitment to the upcoming challenge, stating, "I know it’s going to be so, so hard, but because I really want to do it I’m going to put my all into it. I’m just so excited. I just want to get going now, to be honest." This sentiment reflects the dedication and rigorous training required for the competition, as well as the genuine desire of the celebrities to succeed.
The selection of reality television personalities is a strategic move that aligns with Dancing With the Stars‘ long-standing practice of casting a diverse range of public figures. These individuals often bring a built-in fanbase, which can translate into strong viewer engagement and support throughout the season. The inclusion of stars from popular reality shows like Summer House and The Traitors suggests a continued effort to tap into contemporary cultural trends and attract a broad demographic of viewers.
The remaining cast members, along with their professional dance partners, will be unveiled at a later date. Typically, the full roster of celebrity contestants and the professional troupe of dancers are not announced until much closer to the season’s premiere. This staggered reveal strategy helps to build sustained anticipation and allows for a focused marketing campaign leading up to the launch. The professional dancers, often lauded for their talent and ability to guide their celebrity partners, are an integral part of the show’s success, and their pairings with the new contestants are always a source of great excitement.
Broader Context and Industry Implications
The renewal of Dancing With the Stars for Season 35, coupled with its recent ratings success, speaks volumes about the resilience and enduring appeal of traditional broadcast television formats. In an era dominated by streaming services and fragmented audiences, a long-running competition show like DWTS continues to draw significant viewership, demonstrating the power of live, appointment television. The show’s ability to adapt and evolve over the years, from format changes to incorporating new talent, has been crucial to its sustained relevance.
The suggestion by Tom Bergeron to reinstate the results show format warrants further analysis. Historically, the two-night-a-week structure allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the contestants’ journeys, including behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsal packages, and extended interviews. The results show itself often provided a dramatic climax to the week’s competition. While the single-night format offers a more condensed and perhaps faster-paced viewing experience, the return of the results show could reintroduce an element of narrative depth and anticipation that resonated strongly with long-time viewers. This potential shift also highlights the ongoing dialogue between the show’s creative team and its audience, as well as the influence of influential figures like Bergeron.
Furthermore, the casting of reality television stars like Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins signifies a continued strategy to leverage existing fan bases and capitalize on current pop culture phenomena. This approach not only attracts new viewers but also reinforces the show’s connection to the broader entertainment landscape. The success of these reality stars on DWTS can, in turn, propel their careers further, creating a symbiotic relationship between the competition and the wider media ecosystem.
The confirmed return of Dancing With the Stars for Season 35 is a clear indicator of its robust health and its significant value to ABC’s programming slate. As the show gears up for its fall 2026 premiere, the anticipation for new celebrity pairings, captivating routines, and potential format adjustments is palpable. The continued success of Dancing With the Stars serves as a compelling case study in the enduring power of well-executed, audience-driven entertainment.
Summary of Key Information for Dancing With the Stars Season 35:
- Renewal Status: Officially renewed for Season 35.
- Network: ABC and Disney+.
- Premiere Season: Fall 2026.
- Expected Premiere Month: September 2026 (based on historical patterns).
- Broadcast Day: Likely Tuesday nights (current format), with potential for a return to a two-night-a-week schedule including a results show.
- Confirmed Cast Members: Ciara Miller (Summer House), Maura Higgins (The Traitors/Love Island alum).
- Judges: Not yet confirmed, but likely to include returning panelists Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
- Format History: Historically aired two seasons per year; shifted to one season per year starting with Season 28. Previously aired two nights a week with a results show.
- Significance: Demonstrates continued popularity and success of the long-running competition format.
