Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Premieres to Highest Ratings in Six Years
The 35th season of Dancing with the Stars launched on September 15, 2026, drawing nearly 6.7 million viewers—the most in the show’s recent history—boosted by nostalgic performances and a poignant tribute to Dolly Parton.
Dancing with the Stars kicked off its 35th season on September 15, 2026, achieving its highest premiere ratings in six years. The debut episode attracted approximately 6.67 million viewers across ABC and Disney+, marking a 24% increase compared to the previous season's premiere. This surge highlights a renewed audience interest in the long-running dance competition series. (1, 2) [1][2]
A key demographic for advertisers, the 18-49 age group, saw an even more pronounced increase, with a 40% rise from last year’s premiere. The show recorded a 1.48 rating in this bracket, marking its strongest opening performance since 2017. This suggests that the season's format or cast resonated particularly well with younger viewers. (2) [2]
Season 35 opened thematically with male celebrities performing dances to number one songs from the years they were born. Notable routines included actor Tyler Cameron’s tango to Lenny Kravitz’s "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and chef Giada De Laurentiis’s tango to "Venus" by Shocking Blue. These performances contributed to the nostalgic appeal of the premiere night. (3) [3]
One of the season's most memorable moments was Julia Stiles’s quickstep performance to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." This number carried emotional weight, as Parton personally approved the use of her iconic song for Stiles just weeks before Parton’s passing on August 25, 2026. The tribute underscored the show's cultural connections and proved poignant for viewers. (4) [4]
Beyond ratings and performances, chatter around the season included personalities connected to the show, such as Val Chmerkovskiy giving a playful nickname to his wife Jenna Johnson while dancing alongside Jenna Dewan on the show, which drew media attention. However, broader controversies or critiques appear minimal at this early stage. (5) [5]
Sources
- DWTS Season 35 Kicks Off With Nearly 7 Million Viewers
- ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Premiere Hits 6.7 Million Viewers, Best Opener in Six Years - IMDb
- Dancing With the Stars: Season 35, Episode 1 | Rotten Tomatoes
- Julia Stiles Rocked '9 To 5' On DWTS, But It Might Not Have Happened If Dolly Parton Hadn't Fulfilled One Last Request
- Val Chmerkovskiy Gave His Wife Jenna Johnson A Funny Nickname Now He's On DWTS With Jenna Dewan
- TV Host Forced to Apologize Over Comment That Annoyed '90s Star