You’re sitting on the couch, snack in hand, ready to see which B-list actor or Olympic gymnast actually has rhythm, and then it hits you: you have no idea where the show moved this year. It’s a common frustration because the landscape of network television is basically a game of musical chairs lately. If you’re asking what station is Dancing with the Stars on, the answer isn't as simple as just "Channel 7" anymore, though that's still part of it.
Honestly, the show has had a bit of an identity crisis over the last few seasons. It jumped from its long-term home on ABC over to Disney+ and then, in a move that surprised a lot of industry analysts, it came back to both.
The Dual-Broadcast Reality: ABC and Disney+
Right now, you can find Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) airing live on ABC. That’s the traditional "station" answer. If you have an antenna, a cable package, or a live TV streamer like YouTube TV or Fubo, you’re looking for your local ABC affiliate. It usually occupies that prime Tuesday night slot, though the network has been known to shuffle things around when Monday Night Football or election coverage gets in the way.
But here is the kicker. It also streams live on Disney+.
This was a massive shift. For years, Disney (which owns ABC) used DWTS as a "pioneer" show to see if live reality competition could actually drive streaming subscriptions. It worked, sort of. But they realized they were leaving millions of older viewers—the ones who still use a remote to "surf" channels—behind. So, they brought it back to the broadcast station while keeping it on the app. If you’re a cord-cutter, the Disney+ feed is a godsend because it doesn’t have those localized "breaking news" interruptions that sometimes plague over-the-air broadcasts.
Watching on Hulu and Video on Demand
What if you missed the live broadcast? If you’re not at your TV when the glitter starts flying, you aren't totally out of luck. Episodes typically land on Hulu the day after they air.
🔗 Read more: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
So, to recap the "station" situation:
- Live TV: ABC (Check your local listings for the specific channel number).
- Live Streaming: Disney+.
- Next-Day Streaming: Hulu.
Why the Constant Channel Shifting Matters
It’s easy to get annoyed when you can’t find your favorite show. But the "station" move tells a bigger story about how we watch TV in 2026. ABC is trying to keep its linear ratings alive. Dancing with the Stars remains one of the few programs that people actually watch in real-time, which is a goldmine for advertisers. When the show moved exclusively to Disney+ for Season 31, the backlash from the core audience was loud.
A lot of the show's most loyal fans are in a demographic that isn't necessarily hunting for apps on a smart TV. They want to turn on the television and see Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough right there. By putting the show back on the ABC station, the producers basically admitted that "appointment viewing" on broadcast TV still has a heartbeat.
Technical Requirements for the Disney+ Feed
If you decide to skip the ABC station and go the streaming route, you need to make sure your setup is ready. Live streaming 4K ballroom dancing requires a decent bit of bandwidth.
I’ve noticed that if your internet speed is hovering below 25 Mbps, the sequins on the costumes start to look like blurry pixels. That's a tragedy when the wardrobe department spends thousands of dollars on Swarovski crystals. Also, the Disney+ live feed is usually a few seconds behind the cable broadcast. If you’re following along on X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok, you might see spoilers for who got the "10" from Bruno Tonioli before it actually happens on your screen.
💡 You might also like: Wrong Address: Why This Nigerian Drama Is Still Sparking Conversations
Regional Variations and Blackouts
Sometimes, people search for the station and find... nothing. This usually happens during the "pre-emption" season. If your local ABC station is carrying a local sporting event—common in markets like Chicago or Philadelphia—DWTS might be pushed to a sister station or delayed until after the news.
In these cases, the "station" might technically be Cozi TV or The CW, depending on your local market's agreements. This is why having the Disney+ app as a backup is almost essential for super-fans. It bypasses the local drama and gives you the clean, national feed.
The Evolution of the Ballroom Format
The show itself has changed to fit these multiple platforms. Since they have to account for both a "no-commercial" Disney+ experience and a "commercial-heavy" ABC broadcast, the pacing is... weird. You’ll notice Alfonso doing a lot of "vamping" or filler talk during the Disney+ feed while the ABC viewers are watching a Chevy commercial.
It’s a strange, hybrid way to produce television. It makes the show feel more like a live event, similar to the Oscars or the Grammys, rather than a standard pre-taped reality show like The Masked Singer.
How to Vote Across Different Platforms
Knowing the station is only half the battle; you also have to know how to save your favorite couple. The voting window is notoriously tight. It usually opens right when the show starts and closes during the final commercial break of the ABC broadcast.
📖 Related: Who was the voice of Yoda? The real story behind the Jedi Master
You can vote two ways:
- Online: At ABC.com.
- SMS: Texting the contestant's name to a specific shortcode (usually 21523).
If you are watching on Disney+ in a different time zone (like the West Coast), you often have to vote "blind" or follow along with the East Coast feed's social media. Because the show airs live across the entire country simultaneously on Disney+, West Coast viewers are watching it at 5:00 PM instead of the traditional 8:00 PM. If you wait until 8:00 PM PT to watch on your local ABC station, the voting might already be closed.
Hidden Details About the Live Experience
People often ask if the station broadcasts the "full" show. Yes. Whether you are on ABC or Disney+, you are getting the same judges, the same dances, and the same eliminations. However, the Disney+ feed occasionally features "behind the scenes" looks during the commercial breaks that the ABC audience never sees. Sometimes you'll catch a glimpse of the crew resetting the floor or the pro dancers grabbing a quick sip of water.
It adds a layer of "realness" that broadcast TV usually polishes away.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss an Episode
To make sure you're actually watching when the lights go up, do these three things:
- Check the App: Download the ABC app or Disney+ on your phone. Even if you aren't home, you can stream the "station" live.
- Set a DVR Buffer: If you are recording on an ABC station, always add 15 minutes to the end. Live shows are notorious for running over, and there is nothing worse than the recording cutting off right before the elimination.
- Sync Your Time Zone: Verify if your local ABC station is airing it live with the East Coast or on a tape delay. If it's a tape delay, use Disney+ to vote early so your favorite doesn't get the boot.
The show remains a juggernaut of the "entertainment" category because it bridges the gap between old-school TV and the new streaming era. Whether you call it a "station" or an "app," as long as the Mirrorball trophy is at stake, the audience will find a way to tune in.