Watch Dancing with the Stars Live on YouTube TV
You can watch Dancing with the Stars on YouTube TV through the ABC channel, which is included in most YouTube TV plans. The show airs live on Monday or Tuesday nights depending on the season — check your local ABC schedule to confirm the exact day and time in your area. YouTube TV's cloud DVR records the episode automatically if you are not home when it airs, so you can watch it later the same day or within the next few days.
YouTube TV requires an active subscription, and ABC is available in the base plan in most markets. If ABC does not appear in your channel list, your area may not have local ABC broadcast rights through YouTube TV yet — this varies by region. You can check whether ABC is available in your zip code before you subscribe by entering it on the YouTube TV website.
Key Takeaways
- Dancing with the Stars broadcasts live on ABC, which comes with most YouTube TV plans at no extra cost.
- Episodes air Monday or Tuesday nights; YouTube TV's cloud DVR records them automatically so you can watch on your schedule.
- ABC availability depends on your location, so check your zip code on the YouTube TV website before subscribing.
- You can rewind, pause, and fast-forward through recorded episodes using YouTube TV's playback controls.
- YouTube TV works on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick.
Finding the ABC Channel in Your YouTube TV Guide
Open the YouTube TV app or website and look for the Live tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll through the channel list or use the search box at the top to type "ABC." The channel number varies by market — it might be channel 7, 8, or another number depending on your local broadcast setup. Once you find ABC, you can tap or click on it to see what is currently airing and upcoming programs.
If you cannot find ABC in your channel list, it means YouTube TV does not have broadcast rights in your area. This is not a problem with your account — it is a licensing issue between YouTube TV and your local ABC affiliate. You can still watch Dancing with the Stars through the ABC app or website if you log in with your YouTube TV credentials, though this method requires you to watch on a phone, tablet, or computer rather than your TV.
Recording Episodes with Cloud DVR
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage with every plan, and it records new episodes of Dancing with the Stars automatically once you add the show to your library. To add the show, search for "Dancing with the Stars" in the YouTube TV app, open the show page, and tap the plus icon or "Add to Library" button. From that moment on, every new episode records to your cloud storage.
Recorded episodes stay in your library for up to nine months, so you have plenty of time to watch them. You can delete an episode manually if you want to free up space, but YouTube TV does not limit how many shows you can record at once. Rewind, pause, and fast-forward work on all recorded episodes just as they do on live TV.
Watching on Different Devices
YouTube TV works on most devices you already own. On your TV, you can use a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or a smart TV with YouTube TV built in. On phones and tablets, read the YouTube TV app from the App Store or Google Play. On a computer, go to tv.youtube.com and log in with your Google account.
The experience is the same across all devices — your recordings, favorites, and watch history sync automatically. If you start watching an episode on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your TV. You can watch on up to three devices at the same time with a single YouTube TV plan, so other household members can watch different channels or shows simultaneously.
What to Do If ABC Is Not Available in Your Area
If ABC does not broadcast through YouTube TV in your location, you have two main alternatives. The first is to watch through the ABC app or ABC.com — you can log in with your YouTube TV account credentials and stream full episodes, usually within a day of broadcast. This works on phones, tablets, and computers, though not on most TV streaming devices.
The second option is to check whether another streaming service in your area carries ABC or offers Dancing with the Stars. Services like Hulu (with a live TV add-on) or your cable provider's streaming app may have ABC available. You can also contact your local ABC affiliate directly to ask about streaming options they may offer.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If you see a message that says "This program is not available in your area," it usually means your YouTube TV account location does not match where you are trying to watch. YouTube TV uses your home network location to determine what you can watch. Make sure you are connected to your home Wi-Fi, or use the YouTube TV app's location settings to confirm your home address is correct.
If the ABC channel is missing from your guide entirely, restart the YouTube TV app or refresh your browser. If it still does not appear after a restart, ABC may not be available in your zip code. You can contact YouTube TV support through the app's Help section, but they will confirm the same thing — ABC availability is determined by your location and local broadcast agreements, not by your account type.
If a recorded episode will not play, check your internet connection. YouTube TV requires a stable connection to stream, even for recordings stored in the cloud. Try closing the app completely and opening it again, or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa) to see if that fixes the playback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars without a YouTube TV subscription?
No, you need an active YouTube TV subscription to watch through the ABC channel on YouTube TV. However, you can watch full episodes on the ABC app or ABC.com if you log in with your YouTube TV credentials, even if you are not at home. Some cable providers also let you stream ABC through their apps if you have a cable subscription.
Do I have to watch Dancing with the Stars live, or can I watch it later?
You can watch it either way. YouTube TV records every episode automatically to your cloud DVR, so you can watch it the same night after it airs, the next day, or weeks later — it stays in your library for up to nine months. You can also pause and rewind live episodes if you are watching in real time.
What if I miss an episode and it is no longer in my DVR?
You can watch recent episodes on the ABC app or ABC.com by logging in with your YouTube TV credentials. ABC usually keeps the last few episodes available for streaming. Older episodes may be available through other services like Hulu or Disney+, depending on what is currently in their catalog.
Can I watch Dancing with the Stars on YouTube TV if I am traveling?
You can watch recordings from your cloud DVR while traveling, but live ABC broadcasts are blocked outside your home location. To watch live, you need to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network or use the ABC app to stream instead. YouTube TV enforces this rule to comply with broadcast licensing agreements.
Does YouTube TV charge extra to watch ABC?
No, ABC is included in the base YouTube TV plan at no extra cost in markets where it is available. You do not pay per episode or per channel. Your YouTube TV subscription covers all included channels and unlimited cloud DVR recording.