(Fwrd Axis) — After 16 years and 30 seasons, ABC is hanging up its dancing shoes.
Dancing With The Stars will move to Disney+ for its upcoming 31st season and has been given a two-season renewal as part of the new deal. The show will become the first live series to stream on Disney Plus.
The series will only be available only on the streaming service and will not be airing repeats on ABC.
“After over 30 seasons of the program on ABC, including two spin-offs, Dancing with the Stars will move off of ABC this fall in order for the Network to showcase several Monday Night Football games as well as develop and invest in new and future programming,” the network said in a statement.
Deadline was the first to report the story.
“’Dancing with the Stars’ has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media, and Entertainment Distribution. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ while continuing to expand our demographic reach.”
ESPN’s Monday Night Football contract will see them air a game on ABC and will expand to three games in 2023. The news comes as Prime Video, Peacock, and Apple TV+ all make the jump into live sports.
However, the news is likely a big blow to ABC, which aired DWTS as its big attraction to their fall lineup every year. The show is produced by BBC Studios and began airing in the states in 2005.
“The fact that our iconic global format ‘Dancing with the Stars’ will now set the record as the first live series on Disney+ represents a major growth opportunity and a bold next step forward in the evolution of the franchise,” said Valerie Bruce, general manager of BBC Studios, Los Angeles Productions. “This unprecedented move, combined with our two-season pick-up, is a testament to the proven power of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and a resounding vote of confidence from our great, supportive partners at Disney, showing how much they value and believe in the brand.”
