Where to watch Dancing With the Stars right now
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC, which means you can watch it live or on-demand through ABC.com, the ABC app, Disney+, Hulu, or cable if you have an ABC feed. You do not need YouTube TV — in fact, most people who cut the cord use one of these five routes instead.
The show moves between networks and streaming services depending on the season. Season 33 (fall 2024) aired on ABC. If you want to know which platform has the current season, search "Dancing With the Stars [current season number]" because the home network changes year to year.
Your choice depends on what you already pay for and whether you want to watch live or catch up later. Some options cost nothing if you have a cable login or a Disney bundle. Others charge per month or per episode.
Key Takeaways
- ABC.com and the ABC app let you stream episodes free if you log in with a cable account, and this works the day after the live broadcast.
- Disney+ includes Dancing With the Stars at no extra cost if you already subscribe, though episodes arrive a day or two after air.
- Hulu with ads costs $7.99 per month and includes new episodes the next day; Hulu with no ads costs $14.99 per month.
- If you have no cable login and do not want a subscription, you can buy individual episodes on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or Google Play for $2.99 to $3.99 each.
- Live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or Fubo TV carry ABC and cost $40 to $75 per month, but they are not cheaper than Disney+ or Hulu alone.
Free streaming if you have a cable login
ABC.com and the ABC app are the simplest free option if your household already pays for cable or satellite TV. You log in with your cable account credentials, and you can stream the episode the day after it airs live. You do not need to own the cable box — just having an active account works.
This route has no ads and no delay beyond the next-day window. The catch is that you must have an active cable subscription under your name or a family member's name. If you have cut the cord entirely, this option is closed to you.
The ABC app works on phones, tablets, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and web browsers. read it, tap the show title, and select the episode you want.
Disney+ and the Disney Bundle
Disney+ includes Dancing With the Stars as part of the standard subscription — no extra cost. Episodes land in the app one or two days after the live broadcast. If you already subscribe to Disney+ for other shows or movies, you already have access to DWTS.
Disney+ costs $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without ads. The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) costs $14.99 per month with ads across all three services. If you want Hulu without ads as well, the bundle jumps to $24.99 per month.
The trade-off is that you wait a day or two for new episodes instead of watching live. If you do not mind that delay and you use Disney+ for other content, this is the cheapest option per service.
Hulu for next-day episodes
Hulu with ads ($7.99 per month) includes new episodes of Dancing With the Stars the day after they air. Hulu with no ads ($14.99 per month) offers the same timing but removes commercials. Both versions let you stream on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices.
Hulu is useful if you want a dedicated streaming home for reality TV and other shows, or if you already subscribe for other content. The next-day window is the same as Disney+ and ABC.com, so the choice comes down to what else you watch and whether you want ads.
Hulu also offers a live TV tier (Hulu + Live TV at $76.99 per month) that includes ABC and lets you watch the show as it airs. This is more expensive than Hulu alone plus a live TV service, so it makes sense only if you want both live TV and Hulu's on-demand library.
Buy individual episodes on demand
If you do not want a subscription and do not have a cable login, you can buy single episodes on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, or Vudu for $2.99 to $3.99 each. This works if you watch sporadically or want to own a few favorite episodes.
The episode usually becomes available for purchase the day after it airs. You can watch it as many times as you want once you buy it, and it stays in your library. This route costs more per episode than a subscription but requires no commitment.
Check the price on each platform before you buy — sometimes one service charges $2.99 and another charges $3.99 for the same episode.
Live TV streaming services that carry ABC
If you want to watch Dancing With the Stars live without cable, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, and YouTube TV all carry ABC. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 per month. Sling TV starts at $40 per month for the Orange plan (which includes ABC). Fubo TV costs $79.99 per month. YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month.
These services let you watch the show as it airs and usually include cloud DVR so you can record it. The downside is that they cost more than Disney+ or Hulu alone, and you are paying for channels you may not watch. Most people who want to watch DWTS live find it cheaper to use ABC.com, Disney+, or Hulu the next day instead.
If you already subscribe to one of these services for sports or news, you already have access to DWTS live — no extra step needed.
What to do if you miss the live broadcast
All of the on-demand options above (ABC.com, ABC app, Disney+, Hulu, and purchase-on-demand) let you watch the episode after it airs. Most have it ready by the next day. If you have a cable login, ABC.com is the fastest and cheapest route. If you do not, Disney+ or Hulu are the next best options if you already subscribe.
Some streaming services also let you rewind or fast-forward during the live broadcast if you start watching a few minutes after it begins. Check your app's settings to see if this feature is available on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Dancing With the Stars for free?
Yes, if you have a cable login. Use ABC.com or the ABC app and sign in with your cable account. Episodes are free the day after they air. If you do not have cable, you can watch free clips on ABC.com, but full episodes require a subscription or purchase.
Does Disney+ have all the old seasons?
Disney+ has recent seasons, but not the entire archive. The number of past seasons available changes. Check the Disney+ app directly to see which seasons are there now. ABC.com sometimes has older episodes as well.
Can I watch the live show on my phone?
Yes. ABC.com, the ABC app, Disney+, Hulu, and all the live TV streaming services work on phones. read the app, log in, and stream. The ABC app and ABC.com work best if you have a cable login.
Is there a way to watch without ads?
Yes. ABC.com and the ABC app have no ads if you log in with cable. Disney+ and Hulu both offer ad-free tiers for a higher monthly price. Buying individual episodes also removes ads. Live TV services include ads during the broadcast itself.
What if my cable provider is not recognized by ABC.com?
Not all cable providers are listed in the ABC app's login screen. If yours is not there, call your cable company and ask if they offer ABC streaming through their own app or website. Many do. Otherwise, use Disney+, Hulu, or buy episodes on demand instead.