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 on Monday and Tuesday nights during the competition season. Disney Plus does not carry the live broadcast—you need ABC or a cable login to watch in real time. However, Disney Plus does stream the season premiere and finale live during their original broadcast windows if you have an active Disney Plus subscription.
For all other episodes during the season, Disney Plus posts full episodes the day after they air on ABC. This means you can watch the competition, judging, and elimination on Disney Plus without cable, just not at the same moment it happens on television.
Key Takeaways
- The season premiere and finale stream live on Disney Plus at the same time they air on ABC, but only if you have a current subscription.
- All other weekly episodes appear on Disney Plus the morning after they broadcast on ABC.
- To watch live episodes on ABC without cable, you can use the ABC app with a cable login or a live TV streaming service like Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV.
- Disney Plus episodes are available on-demand indefinitely once posted, so you can rewatch any episode at any time.
- The show does not air year-round—seasons typically run from September through November, with a spring season in some years.
How to find Dancing with the Stars on Disney Plus
Open Disney Plus and use the search bar at the top to type "Dancing with the Stars." The show appears as its own tile with recent season artwork. Tap or click it to see all available seasons and episodes.
Disney Plus organizes episodes by season. The most recent season appears first. Each episode is labeled with the episode number and air date, so you can find the one you want to watch. Episodes are arranged in broadcast order, starting with the premiere.
Watching the live premiere and finale on Disney Plus
When the season premiere airs on ABC, open Disney Plus at the broadcast time and navigate to Dancing with the Stars. A live stream tile or banner usually appears on the show's main page during the live window. Tap it to join the broadcast.
The same process applies to the finale. Disney Plus activates the live stream only during the actual broadcast window—typically 8 p.m. Eastern time on Monday or Tuesday. If you miss the live window, the full episode posts on-demand the next morning.
You must have an active Disney Plus subscription to access the live stream. The live episodes do not require a cable login or additional service.
Watching episodes the day after they air
Every episode that airs on ABC on Monday or Tuesday night appears on Disney Plus by the following morning, usually between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Eastern time. You can watch at any time after that—Disney Plus does not remove episodes once they are posted.
This means you can watch the full season at your own pace without staying up for live broadcasts. The episode includes the entire competition, judging, and elimination sequence exactly as it aired on television.
Using the ABC app or a live TV service to watch on ABC
If you want to watch the live broadcast on ABC instead of waiting for Disney Plus, you have two main options. The ABC app streams live episodes if you sign in with a cable provider login. You need a cable subscription to use this method.
Alternatively, live TV streaming services like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV all carry ABC and let you watch Dancing with the Stars live. These services cost between $40 and $75 per month and include many other channels. Most offer a free trial period before charging.
These services also record episodes automatically, so you can rewatch them later even if you miss the live broadcast.
When the show airs and how seasons are structured
Dancing with the Stars does not air year-round. The main season typically runs from September through November, with episodes on Monday and Tuesday nights. A spring season sometimes airs in March or April, though this varies by year.
Each season lasts 10 to 11 weeks. The premiere introduces the celebrity contestants and their professional partners. Weekly episodes show rehearsal footage, live performances, judging, and eliminations. The finale crowns the winner after the last two couples compete.
Disney Plus adds all episodes from completed seasons to its library permanently, so you can watch past seasons anytime, even after the current season ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars live on Disney Plus without a cable login?
Yes. Disney Plus streams the premiere and finale live without requiring a cable login—only an active Disney Plus subscription. For other episodes, you can watch the full broadcast the next day on Disney Plus without cable. If you want to watch the live broadcast of regular weekly episodes on ABC, you will need either a cable login or a live TV streaming service.
What time does the live stream start on Disney Plus?
The live stream begins at the same time the episode airs on ABC, which is typically 8 p.m. Eastern time on Monday or Tuesday. The exact time can vary depending on the network's schedule, so check the Disney Plus app or ABC's website for the specific premiere and finale times.
Do I need Disney Plus to watch Dancing with the Stars?
Disney Plus is the easiest way to watch the show, but it is not the only way. You can watch live on ABC with a cable login or a live TV streaming service. You can also watch on ABC.com or the ABC app if you have a cable subscription. Disney Plus is the only option if you do not have cable.
Are past seasons of Dancing with the Stars on Disney Plus?
Yes. Disney Plus has multiple past seasons available. You can browse them on the show's main page and watch any episode from any completed season at any time. The number of past seasons available may vary, so check the app to see which ones are currently there.
What happens if I miss the live premiere on Disney Plus?
The full premiere episode posts on Disney Plus the next morning and stays there permanently. You can watch it on-demand at any time without losing any content. You will see the same footage, judging, and eliminations as viewers who watched live.