Dancing with the Stars streams live on Disney Plus, but only during the season premiere and finale
Dancing with the Stars airs live on ABC each week during the season, and Disney Plus does not carry the live broadcast. However, Disney Plus does stream the season premiere and season finale live as they happen. For all other episodes during the season, you can watch them on-demand the day after they air on ABC — these are full episodes, not clips.
The live stream on Disney Plus begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time on premiere and finale nights. If you miss the live broadcast, those episodes remain available on-demand in your Disney Plus library afterward, so you can watch them whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus streams the season premiere and finale live at 8 p.m. Eastern, but not the weekly episodes in between.
- Full episodes of all other weeks appear on Disney Plus the day after they air on ABC, available to watch whenever you choose.
- You need an active Disney Plus subscription to access any Dancing with the Stars content, whether live or on-demand.
- ABC's website and app also offer full episodes the next day if you prefer to watch outside Disney Plus.
What happens to weekly episodes between premiere and finale
During the regular season — the weeks between the premiere and finale — new episodes air live on ABC on Monday nights. These episodes do not stream live on Disney Plus. Instead, Disney Plus adds the full episode to its library the following day, usually by morning.
This means if you have a Disney Plus subscription, you can watch Monday's episode on Tuesday without waiting for a weekend or special event. The episode stays in your library indefinitely, so you can rewatch it or catch up if you fall behind.
How to find Dancing with the Stars on Disney Plus
Open Disney Plus and search for "Dancing with the Stars" by name. The show appears in the search results with a tile showing the current season. Tap or click the tile to see all available episodes for that season.
Episodes are listed in order from most recent to oldest. The premiere and finale will have a "Live" label if they have not yet aired; after they broadcast, that label disappears and the episode becomes a regular on-demand title. You can start watching from any episode, though most viewers prefer to start with the premiere to follow the competition from the beginning.
What you need to watch live on Disney Plus
You must have an active Disney Plus subscription. The basic tier includes access to live streams and on-demand content. Disney Plus offers a monthly plan or an annual plan; the cost varies depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free version.
Make sure you are logged into your Disney Plus account on the device you plan to use — phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. Disney Plus works on most major platforms, including iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, PlayStation, Xbox, and web browsers. Test your connection a few minutes before the live stream starts to avoid delays.
When the season premiere and finale air
The premiere date changes each year. Dancing with the Stars typically begins in the fall, though the exact week varies. You can find the premiere date on Disney Plus itself — when you search for the show, the premiere date appears on the show's main page.
The finale usually airs about three months after the premiere, depending on how many weeks the season runs. Both the premiere and finale are two-hour events that begin at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar so you do not miss the live stream if you want to watch it as it happens.
Alternatives if you cannot watch on Disney Plus
ABC.com and the ABC app both offer full episodes the day after they air, at no cost if you have a cable or streaming TV subscription that includes ABC. You can also watch through Hulu with a subscription that includes live TV, which carries the ABC broadcast as it airs.
If you do not have Disney Plus or a cable subscription, waiting for the on-demand episode on ABC.com or the ABC app is your free option — you will see ads, but the full episode is there. Some cable providers also let you stream ABC through their own apps if you have an account with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars live on Disney Plus every week?
No. Disney Plus only streams the season premiere and finale live. For the weekly episodes in between, you can watch them on-demand the next day on Disney Plus, but not as a live broadcast. If you want to watch the live ABC broadcast of weekly episodes, you need cable TV or a live TV streaming service like Hulu with Live TV.
What time does the live stream start on Disney Plus?
The live stream begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time on premiere and finale nights. If you are on the West Coast, that is 5 p.m. Pacific. The show runs for two hours, so plan for the stream to end around 10 p.m. Eastern.
Do I need a cable subscription to watch on Disney Plus?
No. A Disney Plus subscription is all you need. You do not need cable or any other service to watch the premiere, finale, or any on-demand episodes on Disney Plus.
If I miss the live premiere or finale, can I watch it later on Disney Plus?
Yes. After the live broadcast ends, the episode stays in your Disney Plus library as an on-demand title. You can watch it anytime, as many times as you want, as long as your subscription is active.
Are there any ads during the live stream on Disney Plus?
That depends on your Disney Plus plan. If you have the ad-free plan, there are no ads during the live stream. If you have the ad-supported plan, you will see ads during the broadcast, just as you would on ABC.