How to Watch ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 31 on Disney+
Dancing With the Stars is making a huge move this fall. The reality competition series, formerly on ABC for 16 years, will air live exclusively on Disney+ starting in September. Season 31 will premiere Monday, September 19 on the streaming service, airing live starting at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. So how can you watch Dancing With the Stars when it makes its switch from broadcast to streaming? Here, we’ve compiled everything you need to know for how to tune in.
Dancing With the Stars Season 31 is the first-ever live reality show on U.S. streaming platforms. It will be co-hosted by Tyra Banks and Season 19 winner Alfonso Ribiero, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough set to return as judges. The season will air without ad breaks, aligning with Disney+’s current policy of having no ads on the platform. But that will change on December 8, when the company launches its ad-supported tier called Disney+ Basic, although DWTS is expected to be concluded by then.
Viewers can likely expect the episodes to be ad-free all season long this time around. It’s not yet known if Season 32, already a go at Disney+, will air live with ads through Disney+ Basic. While an exact air time on September 19 has not yet been announced, Dancing With the Stars aired Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
Dancing With the Stars is produced in front of a live audience by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm. The show will look like its previous iterations, with professional dancers and celebrities paired to take on dance challenges (including Disney-themed nights), the one major change being the lack of commercial breaks.
“No commercials from a production standpoint is going to be the biggest challenge for us,” showrunner Conrad Green tells TV Insider. “We’re used to having 4-to-5-minute breaks to change the stage. It’s now as live as live can be. It’s like doing a Broadway production. You’ve got to get all of your teams sympatico. You might see the odd set piece moving around in the back but we’re hoping to make it as smooth as possible.”
Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service or as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The streamer says The Disney Bundle is the best way to tune into Season 31, although it seems all viewers will need to watch the show is a Disney+ account. For more information about the bundle, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.
“Dancing with the Stars has been a beloved staple on ABC for 30 seasons and brought so much joy to millions of viewers,” Dana Walden, Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television, said in a statement. “As we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+. We’re so grateful to our incredible partners at BBC Studios and look forward to continuing our relationship with them on this spectacular series, which will continue to be overseen by Rob Mills and the talented Walt Disney Television Alternative team.”
Green also executive produces the series with Deena Katz. Past seasons of Dancing With the Stars are currently available for streaming on Hulu.
Dancing With the Stars, Season 31 Premiere, Monday, September 19, 8/7c, Disney+
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Comments are closed on this story.
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I have watched for 30 seasons. But I am not going to pay for Disney plus just to watch a show that has gone down hill since Tyra came on.
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Yes. I cannot stand Tyra but will still miss watching especially since I actually know some of the stars that will be on!
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I agree Tyra not a good choice - can't stand her. Now faithful Dancing with the Stars supporters are cheated out of this show and consider it an insult that we have to pay Disney to watch it - Disney earns big bucks and treat their viewers. Also Tyra a bad fit for a Disney channel.
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Dancing was dying already. I loved the show till Tyra stole the show. There is no way I am paying to watch the Tyra Banks show. Plus the fact you went to Disney/streaming you just made it clear older fans of the show mean nothing to you. Way to go
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Why are we changed to the money grab of streaming services? I am retired on fixed income. I love the show even Tyra last year almost did it in for me but why make us pay for something that has been a staple for me. First we had to start paying for the locals now streaming what next?
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Very disappointing. Huge fan of Dancing with the Stars, refuse to pay to watch it on Disney plus when the past 30 seasons were already on a Disney owned company
No regard for their loyal fan base.
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sad to say I wont be watching . Have been a loyal fan
since the beginning. Not paying for yet another platform for one show.
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Shameful
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Totally agree. Sad to EXCLUDE so many that have been loyal. Shame, shame, shame!
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What if you don't have Disney+. In think DWTS is on the losing end of this change. Very disappointed.
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This is very sad to hear. I love this show. It is crazy to think that fans of the show and possibly ABC should have to pay to watch this show. The other thing I find crazy is why these paid platforms feel it is okay to make announcements or commercials on live TV. Like Dancing with stars made their big reveal on GMA an ABC show if it is not going to be on ABC. Just blows mind!
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Marlena, you hit the nail on the head! I’ve been watching since the season 1. But that’s done. Not paying for another streaming device. Besides, Tara Banks is nice enough but she can’t replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. Hopefully the ABC executives will change their mind.
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Not paying to watch. Too bad they will lose a majority of their audience.
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I hate it cuz it’s i. Disney plus and I won’t pay for it it should be on regular TV I will never watch it again
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Was looking forward to DWTS this fall. Now find out it's only on Disney+ and since I already have the best streaming service with YouTube TV, I won't be paying for another streaming service. Wanted to watch it but will find something better on YT-TV. Obviously like others said, they don't value past loyal fans of the show.
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I so loved this show and wouldn't miss it over the years for anything.
It had such a family feel and I just loved it! But when Tyra came on, it completely had a different feel and I couldn't watch after just a couple shows.... it just was not a good fit!
It just didn't feel right! It felt fake, so very fake.... I love Alfonzo and he would've been a great fit for the show, unfortunately DWTS will lose even more viewers due to the switch to Disney+.... One for the extra cost to the viewers and two Disney has become political and they should've never went into that ring! They were the one place people could go to just laugh, love and enjoy and they took that away!! DWTS was Absolutely Amazing for Many, Many Years.... I guess it's like the Old Saying.... All Good Things Must Come To An End..... 😥😥
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I’ve watched the show since it first aired (30 seasons) but now you’ve lost me and I’m sure many others by moving to Disney + which requires a paid subscription. Trya Banks doesn’t help raise your ratings either. This is a dance show, not a fashion show! Hope you will find a way to bring the show back to ABC.
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Not watching! Not until Tyra is still on the show.
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I think it's a bad move to only show this on Disney +. Another gimick to get people to pay more for watching something that has been on ABC from the beginning. The mastermind behind this stupid move will see how many viewers will be lost. I doubt many people are going to pay for a streaming service just to watch DWTS
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This SUCKS!!! I have enjoyed DWTS since season ONE.
I WILL NOT BE WATCHING DISNEY + OR DWTS. I REFUSE TO PAY ANYMORE $$$ FORVTV SERVICE.
GOOD LUCK AS I KNOW YOU ARE LOSING MANY MANY DWTS WATCHERS WHEN REMIVING SHOW FROM ABC!!!
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So sad! It seems like the stations dont care about the older folks who are on a fixed income. Not worth it to watch Tyra, she needs to go!!!
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I have been a huge fan of DWTS's and very angry with the producers to make this ridiculous switch. I hope this show is a huge flop!! They deserve it. Sharon J
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I am very disappointed that I will not be able to watch dancing with the stars. I have been waiting for this season to come on. I refuse to pay to watch just one show on Disney plus.
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I have watched this show since 2007. I used to watch it with a loved one I held dear; it has sentimental value. I also want to vote for the winner; however, I will not be a part of this. I will not pay Disney to see the show.
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I can see whoever made this decision to only show it on Disney + probably won’t be working there too long after they see the ratings do a nose dive!
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SO SORRY TO SEE DWTS GO TO DISNEY+,I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR YEARS, I DONOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH TYRA, SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T LIKE CHANGE, WELL I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THIS TIME, I WILL NOT PAY TO WATCH DWTS. DWTS IS GOING TO LOSE ALOT OF VIEWERS, RATINGS WILLL TAKE A HUGE HIT
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Will not pay to watch Dancing With the Stars. It should have stayed on ABC!!!
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Won't be able to watch DWTS this season. I won't buy Disney+. Hasn't been the same show since Tyra Banks took over. Always liked the pro's and celebs.
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Will not pay to watch. This is a rip off. Too bad, really liked the show.Good luck with getting viewers.
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I Hope Disney loses mega money on this. They were struggling keeping fans of dwts before, what makes you think ppl are now going to pay to watch it? You screwed up ABC. I hope they have such low ratings they will actually lose sooo much money. I am like most, I'm not paying for an $8/mo subscription to Disney just to watch dwts.
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I watched all 30 seasons ..Guess the show doesn't care about people that can't afford to pay for Disney also the seniors on set incomes. 😞
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Bummer that I now need to pay to watch DWTS. I won't do that as I don't care for Tyra as the host. I will miss the stars, guests, costumes and routines. THIS WAS A BAD MOVE ABC!
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Sorry, ex-fan here also. Not paying to watch it..
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Have watched it since 1st season and like a lot of other viewers I am not paying to watch it, we've already paid once to send satellites into orbit
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I too am disappointed that DWTS is not on ABC. It was a must watch
Healthy entertainment on Monday nights. I will not pay to see it.
I trust next season will return to regular TV.
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A long time eat her if the show. Was so disappointed when Tom Bergeron was replaced with Tyra who is terrible at it. To top it off they switched to Disney plus having no regard for its faithful followers all these years.
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Been a fan and watched for 30 seasons. Loved watching Derek and Julianne Hough way back when. As a senior, now I can't afford all the extra streaming. I'm so sad Disney has come to the all-time low of charging for the simple things which makes us happy. Visiting Disney was on my bucket list. Unfortunately my bucket list just got shorter.😪
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Terrible to take off normal tv
I always watched this show o will not pay either to watch this. Put it back on TV the way it was..
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The title of the article gives its own answer. Subscribe to Disney+. The rest of the article useless.
BTW, if you don't have Disney+, just search 'Dancing With The Starts S31E01'....someone somewhere will upload it into the interverse.
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Not watching already pay to watch tv can’t afford all the streaming stuff. Hate Tyra Banks miss Tom and Erin.
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I agree with some of the comments. I do not like Tyra, and I refuse to pay to see her ridiculous outfits. As a show, it was much better before she was introduced. I love to watch the dancing, but not enough to pay for it now. Big mistake on the part of the producers.
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This is ridiculous. We pay enough for cable/satellite/prime/netflix and on and on. I am not paying another cent here!
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I won't pay to watch one show that went down hill when Tyra came on. I can't stomach her and I turned the TV down every time she went into one of her fake talks. I love the dancing and the judges, but the host aren't with a penny of my money. I've watch for 30 seasons and I now say my goodbyes.
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I think it sucks I like watching Dancing with the Stars I just think it is so sad that us older people have to pay for more just to watch some shows why don't they just leave it alone we don't have a paycheck coming in every week we can;t afford anymore added on is expense enough let alone add more to it what happen to the good old days when you only had 4 channels to watch and they didn't put them on different channels and we didn't have to pay for those channels either those were the good old days
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I think it STINKS!
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Nope, I cut the cord because of price I am certainly not going to start paying again. I have been without DWTS since it was on last year and will continue to live without it forever if there is a cost involved. Disney is a greedy company too include the cost of their amusement parks and am no longer interested in becoming a part of their profit margin. There are many other things I can watch via streaming. I am already over DWTS!!!!
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So outrageous that loyal viewers for years now have to pay to watch DWS. I refuse to continue watching and I am certain many others will do the same. The show was already going downhill fast once Tyra Banks replaced Tom B. and Erin A. It is not a fashion show for Tyra to strut her rediculous outfits and act like it is all about her ! So upsetting to say the least. Good bye to DWS !
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I also have watched all seasons,this is stupid I will not pay to see it I already pay for cable
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Never missed a show when Tyler came on it was all about fashion that the dancers
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Yes, that’s what I thought. The people that have Disney Plus have it for their kids and probably could care less to watch Dancing and their kids probably won’t be watching!
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Goodbye dancing
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The show sucks anyway, loser celebrities ,and don't know half of them anyway).
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I don’t need Disney+ and I will not pay for it . I don’t need to watch dancing with the stars. I’ve enjoyed the show for all these years. I do not mind Tyra Banks. But it seems that everybody wants to charge to watch something that you would enjoy. ABC needs to get its act together!
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Wow it sounds like an echo in here I don't think ABC cares what we think my wife and I have never missed a season of DWTS I even grew thourgh the show and I am ashamed to say I was a Homophobe before and I am proud of what it allowed me to see but I also have to agree the sweet Lady commentator before Erin was my Favorite but I did like Erin too don't get me wrong I know it must be a tuff job and I probably would suck at it like Tara. I already pay for cable, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video so I am not going to pay for Disney+ I'll be just fine without it Happy Holidays youall God's Speed
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Past seasons are not available to watch on Hulu
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I think …NOT….such a huge frustration for soo many! Some retired on fixed budget, some affected by todays rising economy and can only stay home to watch TV - but they deprive there viewers of a constant a 30 season loyalty! And to move to Disney no less political manslaughter!
My daughter and I would watch it and drink wine & eat popcorn 🍿 yet another traditional taken from us…… streaming is not something everyone can just afford to do 😏 Because ABC jumps ship 😏Guess we will have to watch The Bachelor and drink wine 🍷 ✔️
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I agree 100%. Huge Mistake moving the show to Disney or Disney Plus (?). Wish I knew how to communicate this disappointment to the powers that be at Dancing With The Stars. Perhaps some of these readers do.
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Why would I pay to watch this show, when I was already paying my satellite provider already, I didn't mind the commercials as it gives me a chance to do a chore quickly and come back and finish watching the show. Besides how much more money does Disney need?
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I am not going to pay for channel that I will watch one time per year so, let it go with out me and I will spend the money for cookies. Yes, I did enjoy very much the 30 seasons. Love you dancers BUT NO Thanks
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it is a shame that you make us to pay for channel to watch the show. I will take the money and buy me Gallon of Milk. NO THANKS let Tyra be with out me
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Will not spend extra money for Disney + I don’t like Tyra Banks. Good luck with your new generation of viewers. It was easier for them to watch it on regular channel. Serious mistake.
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Will not be watching!
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It would have been niece to know since I watch every episode but I don't think I'll spend more money just to watch. I will so miss sjow but money's tight
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gone
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I’m very disappointed that the show has been moved to Disney +I did not think that Tyra was a good fit for the show but loved the show so continued to watch. I am a senior on a fixed income so will not be watching. Good luck Disney and hopefully after the season is over there will be a rerun on on normal tv.
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apparently you are not on a budget. Some of us can't move with the times. It seems from the majority of the comments that fans that have been watching for 30 years are their mainstay. The younger kids are not interested in this type of media. They will watch Disney+ for sure. With their kids.
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and without Tyra.
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We won and I wanna kill seven channel 7. So I am a former well to Disney+ to ABC f Do you sDisney .All of us my mom why do you be on Monday nights what are you do you do it we love you love the one where is the back and the weather channel wait I love that dog
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DWTS is not streaming on demand, at least not on my app. Many news outlets are reporting that you can watch the show one hour after it airs. Did they fact check this?
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Same here goodbye dWts
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Emm
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I wouldn't pay money to watch Disney due to its stance on murdering babies and financially supporting it's perverse sexual agenda.
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Happy to apparently be the one logical voice here- although I don’t agree that they’re taking the show off ABC entirely, I’m excited it will be on Disney+. Like the rest of the modern world, I booted cable for streaming a long time ago and always had to hunt around for episodes of DWTS. We all have to move with the times eventually- they're just trying to do the same. Hoping the fans they lose will be replaced by new current fans that will help carry them for a long time yet!
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