Here's What The DWTS Cast Has To Say About The Show's Abrupt Network Change
"Dancing With The Stars" has been through quite a few changes in the last few years. In 2020, longtime host of the dancing competition show, Tom Bergeron, was replaced by Tyra Banks (via Variety). At the time, Bergeron tweeted after hearing the news, "It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career." Since then, the former "America's Next Top Model" host has been the face of "DWTS" for two seasons, and many fans aren't happy with Banks on the show.
This has led many to wonder if ABC will drop Banks as a host. However, it was revealed earlier this month that some big changes were happening on "Dancing with the Stars," but not with its host. Instead, Season 31 of "DWTS" will be moving from ABC to Disney's streaming platform, Disney+, according to Deadline. The news was shocking for some fans who have watched the show since it first aired on ABC in 2005. While Deadline reports that the move is due to ABC's new contract with "Monday Night Football," the transition to Disney+ could also be attributed to the rise in streaming platforms and Disney's attempts to bring in more viewers and subscribers.
The cast is excited about this next chapter
While the reasons for Disney moving "Dancing with the Stars" from ABC to Disney+ may be all business, fans of the show are wondering how the cast is feeling about the sudden change. It seems the consensus is fairly good. According to Us Weekly, Carrie Ann Inaba, who is a judge on the show, shared her excitement on her Instagram Story, saying, "Just wanted to pop in and share the exciting news ... this is very exciting. Disney+, here we come."
Derek Hough got his start on the show as one of the professional dancers paired with the celebrity contestants. Since then, he has come back to the show as a judge, and shared his thoughts on the move on his Instagram. "DWTS has always been a trail blazer ... NEW CHAPTER," Hough said. With the move to Disney+, the show will give both the east coast and west coast a chance to vote live, which is something pro dancer Cheryl Burke is excited about. Burke told Us Weekly, "It's an exciting new chapter for the show and for the streaming world in general. Now the west coast can vote in real-time." Something else that will be new on the streaming platform is no commercials, which Burke admitted, "I'm excited for the show possibilities over at Disney+ and am daydreaming about how we're going to pull off quick changes and set changes with no commercial breaks!"
It seems everyone at "DWTS" is excited about the move, and fans can check out all the new changes when Season 31 premieres this fall.