Dancing With The Stars Season 35 Smashes Record, 6.7 Million Tune In

The twirling spectacle returned on Tuesday night, airing on ABC and streaming on Disney+, as Season 35 kicked off with a dazzling male‑celebrity lineup. 6.67 million viewers tuned in across live broadcasts and same‑day streams, .

Those numbers are expected to climb once Big Data + Panel figures arrive later in the week.

The new season’s opener eclipsed last year’s premiere by 24 percent, marking the show’s largest debut audience in six years. In the coveted 18‑49 demo, the episode saw a 40 percent jump to a 1.48 rating, the highest since almost a decade ago.

Among women 18‑34, Disney reported a 2.53 rating, the best premiere performance in thirteen years.

Those figures place the show as the top entertainment broadcast among adults 18‑49 across all of television since ABC’s Oscar telecast. The surge is largely credited to the program’s growing appeal among young women, a demographic drawn by the mix of celebrity contestants and influencer‑heavy production.

With Disney and ABC reporting consistent gains, the new season looks poised to repeat last year’s record‑breaking finale.

## Background & Context

Season 35 was split into two nights to accommodate one of the show’s largest casts yet. The first episode featured only male celebrities paired with professional dancers, while the second night will bring the female contestants onto the ballroom floor.

An elimination follows each episode, creating a double‑elimination format that ramps up suspense.

The lineup includes high‑profile names such as Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, and Julia Stiles, many of whom won’t perform until Wednesday night. Disney hasn’t yet released vote tallies from the first night, but online polling reportedly crashed due to the volume of text votes.

Host Alfonso Ribeiro noted toward the episode’s end that record‑breaking text voting had taken place, hinting at a robust audience engagement.

The premiere was broadcast on Tuesday, a change from last season’s single‑episode Tuesday start. By spreading the debut over two nights, producers aim to sustain viewer interest and maximize advertising revenue. The format also allows the show to showcase a broader range of celebrities without overcrowding a single episode.

## What People Are Saying

While no direct quotes appear in the data, the numbers themselves speak loudly. The 6.67 million total viewers signal strong public enthusiasm for the new season. In addition to live and same‑day streams, Nielsen’s early metrics suggest even higher engagement once delayed viewing and on‑demand figures are incorporated.

Industry insiders view the boost as a positive indicator for the season’s trajectory. Last year’s finale drew the biggest audience in nearly a decade, and the current premiere’s ratings hint that Wednesday night could match or exceed those numbers.

The demographic split—especially the spike among women 18‑34—underscores the show’s growing relevance to younger viewers.

Commentary from social media circles reflects a similar sentiment. Fans across platforms have praised the diverse casting and highlighted the competitive intensity of the first night’s performances. The enthusiastic reception suggests that audiences are eager for the full roster, many of whom are yet to appear on the dance floor.

## What Happens Next

More detailed viewership data will be released later this week as Nielsen finalizes its Big Data + Panel numbers. Disney has not confirmed the official vote totals from the first night, though it remains clear that text voting surged beyond normal thresholds.

The second episode, slated for Wednesday, will introduce the female contestants and bring the total viewership to a new high.

Production continues under BBC Studios, which has overseen past iterations of the franchise. The network’s partnership with Disney+ aims to expand streaming reach while maintaining strong broadcast numbers.

As the season progresses, analysts will monitor whether the early momentum sustains through subsequent episodes and culminates in a record‑setting finale.

The season’s initial success sets a promising tone for the weeks ahead, but only time will reveal if Wednesday’s performances can carry the upward trajectory. For now, the numbers confirm that Dancing With The Stars remains a resilient cultural fixture, attracting sizable audiences across demographics.