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Dancing With the Stars<\/a><\/em> is on a historic hot streak \u2014 and head judge Derek Hough<\/a><\/strong> couldn\u2019t be more grateful.<\/p>\n In a video posted to Instagram<\/a>, Hough thanked viewers after learning that the long-running ABC competition show has just achieved a milestone rarely seen in modern network television.<\/p>\n \u201cHey guys, I think I’m a little bit late to the game, but I just heard and found out about these insane ratings for Dancing With the Stars<\/em> and how they’ve been breaking records, the past 34 years, the Nielsen ratings, so thank you so much for watching the show!\u201d Hough said. \u201cWe love the show so much. Thank you so much for watching. This show has been so special for us for 20 years. 20 years! The fact that more and more people are watching, they’re falling in love with it, they’re enjoying it, it really means the world to us, so thank you so much. Again, so much love and let’s continue making history! Let’s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Late-Night Emergency Sends \u2018DWTS\u2019 Contestant to the Hospital After Rehearsal Injury<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n According to The Hollywood Reporter<\/em><\/a>, Dancing With the Stars<\/em> is now \u201cthe first fall show in at least 34 years \u2014 dating back to the start of Nielsen\u2019s regular measurement of total viewers in 1991 \u2014 to grow its audience for five weeks in a row after a season premiere.\u201d<\/p>\n The milestone came during the show\u2019s Wicked<\/em>-themed episode, which drew a season-high 6.63 million viewers and marked the biggest same-day audience for Dancing With the Stars<\/em> since the start of the 2020\u201321 season. The episode also hit a 1.38 rating among adults 18\u201349, its best showing in several years.<\/p>\n Per Parade\u2019s analysis, the show is averaging 5.86 million viewers per week and a 1.2 rating\/17 share among adults 18\u201349 \u2014 meaning roughly 17 percent of TVs in use on Tuesday nights from 8\u201310 p.m. ET\/PT are tuned to Dancing With the Stars<\/em>. That share figure is roughly double (and in some weeks nearly triple) the show\u2019s average over the past six seasons. You\u2019d have to go back to season 27 in the fall of 2018 to find comparable rating\/share numbers.<\/p>\n RELATED: Derek & Hayley Hough Tear Up in Candid Video Thanking Fans After \u2018Devastating\u2019 Loss<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Now in its 34th season, Dancing With the Stars<\/em> continues to defy gravity \u2014 both in choreography and viewership. After moving back to ABC in season 32 after its one-season streaming stint on Disney+, the show has seemingly rediscovered its groove, pairing nostalgic appeal with fresh energy from the current cast and judges.<\/p>\n As Hough reflected, Dancing With the Stars<\/em> remains \u201cso special for us for 20 years,\u201d and this latest record only cements its enduring place in the pop culture spotlight.<\/p>\n \u201cLet’s continue making history,\u201d he told fans. \u201cLet’s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Dancing With the Stars<\/em> airs Tuesday nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET\/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udea9\u00a0<\/strong>SIGN UP for our Dancing with the Stars newsletter to get access to exclusive news, interviews, songs, recaps & more<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83e\udea9<\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Oct 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nA Historic Ratings Run<\/h2>\n
A 20-Year Legacy That Keeps Growing<\/h2>\n