Dancing with the Stars’ spin-off series has officially premiered, but viewers are already complaining.
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which kicked off on Monday, July 13, features 12 dancers competing for a pro spot on Season 35 of the hit ABC dance competition show. Contestants will battle it out during the weeks-long audition process in Australia while living as roommates.
While several contestants, like Allen Genkin and Stephani Sosa, have strong connections to DWTS, host and DWTS Season 34 winner, Robert Irwin, warned that their ties mean nothing. However, as the show began, many fans took to X to complain that they couldn’t watch live through streaming on Disney+ or Hulu. This comes after DWTS fans expressed concern about the new series.
Many pointed out that the spin-off isn’t livestreamed on Disney+, with one person fuming, “Disappointed the new DWTS spinoff isn’t live streamed on Disney plus.
In the comments of DWTS’ teaser for the premiere, another asked, “Is it not on Disney plus and Hulu until tomorrow?!?!?!” The show’s official account replied, “Stream tomorrow on Disney+ and Hulu!”
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The fan responded, “Ughhhh I have to waittt.” A third said, “girl it ain’t live on disney plus,” as the account shared the same message.
A fourth annoyed fan penned, “Yeah I guess I’m not watching since it’s not streaming on Disney plus,” as a fifth commented, “I didn’t realize this was next day on D+…. Ya’ll haven’t been saying that I thought it was on there tonight.”
Yet another added, “wait i can’t watch the next pro live on d+??? it says it’s available tomorrow.”
However, several fans said on X that they were able to watch the episode, with one person saying, “I am watching it right now,” as another added, “WATCHING NOW!!
Other excited fans penned, “I’ve been waiting for this all day long,” and “My next summer obsession has started.”
The cast of hopefuls includes Adele Zaikman, Allen Genkin, Benjamin Castro, Briar Nolet, Erik Linder, Jake Monreal, Natalie Jolley, Nina Mayster, Selena Hamilton, Stephani Sosa, Tristen Sanders, and AJ Pritchard.
Pro dancer Mark Ballas serves as a judge on the new series with his mother, Shirley Ballas. During a chat with ABC Audio on the red carpet of the 2026 Disney Upfront event earlier this year, Mark detailed what fans can expect from the new series.
“It’s a fascinating show, because it feels like ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ which it kind of is, but it’s also very different because of the format,” he said at the time.
“We’re looking for a pro that’s gonna take on the role of being a pro on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ which is very complex, it’s very nuanced.”
Ballas added that the show “did a really great job of setting up challenges for these dancers.”
“Whether it’s … choreographing, group work, chemistry, teaching challenges, these are the things that you face as a pro on Dancing with the Stars,” he added.
Speaking about co-judging with his mother, Ballas added, “My mother is one of the most elite Latin American dance coaches in the world. Having her level of expertise on the panel is always an asset. No one knows the craft more than her.”
However, the mother and son approached the job differently. “She’s been on the side as a judge, and I’ve always been on side as the pro,” Ballas said.
Dancing with the Stars fans are concerned that another pro will be replaced after a new one is crowned (Image: Disney)
“We had a couple of disagreements out in the field … but we also agreed a lot. She’s very good at what she does, she’s very direct. And when you’re improving on being a professional in this field, you need that.”
Ahead of the spin-off’s premiere, some fans expressed concern about the pros already part of the show.
The ABC show, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2025 and is returning for Season 35 this fall, has long rotated out pro dancers, and fresh ones have ushered in new fans.
However, the Next Pro sparked fear among loyal fans when it was first announced, as they worried the show might cut some longtime fan favorites.
While some pros could retire, some fans have speculated that the show’s goal of finding a new pro for Season 35 could spell bad news for other pros, who may still want to be a part of the series. Some may find their time with it cut in favor of newer dancers.
It’s not uncommon, as many of the show’s current crop of pros came from So You Think You Can Dance before joining the show.
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