Head judge Derek Hough expressed profound gratitude to fans as Dancing With the Stars achieved a truly historic milestone, becoming the first fall show in 34 years to consistently grow its audience for five consecutive weeks, cementing its enduring legacy in television history.
In a world of rapidly shifting television landscapes and fragmented audiences, a long-running competition series has managed to do the near-impossible: grow its audience week after week. Dancing With the Stars, now in its 34th season, is on an undeniable hot streak, and its head judge, Derek Hough, couldn’t be more thankful to the legions of dedicated viewers.
Hough recently took to Instagram to share his appreciation after learning about the show’s incredible performance. “Hey guys, I think I’m a little bit late to the game, but I just heard and found out about these insane ratings for Dancing With the Stars and how they’ve been breaking records, the past 34 years, the Nielsen ratings, so thank you so much for watching the show!” Hough exclaimed. He emphasized the show’s personal significance, stating, “This show has been so special for us for 20 years. 20 years! The fact that more and more people are watching, they’re falling in love with it, they’re enjoying it, it really means the world to us.”
An Unprecedented Ratings Run: Breaking Records After 34 Years
The latest ratings triumph for Dancing With the Stars is nothing short of extraordinary. According to an analysis by The Hollywood Reporter, the show has become “the first fall show in at least 34 years — dating back to the start of Nielsen’s regular measurement of total viewers in 1991 — to grow its audience for five weeks in a row after a season premiere.” This level of sustained audience growth is a rarity in today’s competitive television landscape, making DWTS a true anomaly.
The milestone was achieved during the highly anticipated Wicked-themed episode, which captivated a season-high 6.63 million viewers. This marked the biggest same-day audience for Dancing With the Stars since the 2020–21 season. The episode also secured a strong 1.38 rating among adults 18–49, its best performance in that demographic in several years. These figures indicate a significant resurgence in viewership and engagement.
Further analysis, as reported by Parade, reveals that the show is currently averaging 5.86 million viewers per week and a 1.2 rating/17 share among adults 18–49. This means that approximately 17 percent of televisions in use on Tuesday nights from 8–10 p.m. ET/PT are tuned into the ABC competition. This share figure represents roughly double, and in some weeks nearly triple, the show’s average over the past six seasons. To find comparable rating and share numbers, one would have to look back to season 27 in the fall of 2018.
A 20-Year Legacy That Continues to Grow and Evolve
Now in its 34th season, Dancing With the Stars continues to captivate audiences with its blend of celebrity star power, dazzling choreography, and emotional journeys. The show has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability over two decades.
Its recent move back to ABC in season 32, after a one-season streaming exclusive stint on Disney+, appears to have been a strategic masterstroke. This return to its traditional network home seems to have helped the show rediscover its rhythm, skillfully blending nostalgic appeal for long-time viewers with the fresh energy brought by its current cast and judging panel.
Hough’s reflection that Dancing With the Stars remains “so special for us for 20 years” resonates deeply with fans who have followed its journey. This latest record not only validates the show’s enduring popularity but also solidifies its significant and lasting place in the broader pop culture spotlight. Hough’s call to action, “let’s continue making history,” underscores the collective spirit driving the show’s ongoing success.
Dancing With the Stars airs live on Tuesday nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and is available to stream the following day on Hulu. For more details on the ratings performance, you can refer to the reports by The Hollywood Reporter and Parade.
