DWTS Season 35 Premiere: When & How to Watch Live on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are back in the spotlight, ready to usher us into a fresh season of glitz, sweat and those infamous mirrorball trophies. Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars launches Tuesday, September 15, 2026, and the first two episodes land at the same trusty slot – 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

For those of you who have already set a reminder, the good news is you won’t have to wait for a DVR replay. ABC streams the show live on its website, but only if you can log in with a traditional cable or satellite account. No cable? No problem – you can still catch the glittering kickoff through a handful of live‑TV streaming services.

Our go‑to recommendation is DIRECTV Stream. It throws in a five‑day free trial, which is perfect for a quick peek at the opening night. Packages start at $19.99 a month, and you can even add genre‑specific packs if you like to binge‑watch beyond just reality TV.

Other reliable options include fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. Each of these services typically offers a free trial for new users, so you can test‑drive them before committing. Whichever you pick, you’ll be tuning in at 8 p.m. ET on the night of September 15, with the second episode following on September 16 at the same time.

Now, if you prefer Disney’s ecosystem, you’ll be pleased to learn that the premiere streams live on Disney+ as well. Just fire up the app, navigate to the live TV section, and you’ll see DWTS ticking along with the ABC broadcast. After the live airing, the episode becomes available the next day on Hulu for on‑demand viewing – a handy backup if you miss the real‑time performance.

Speaking of Disney+, the service runs at $11.99 per month with ads, or $18.99 ad‑free. There are also bundle deals that pair Disney+ with Hulu (and sometimes HBO Max or ESPN+) – the cheapest combo starts at $11.99 a month and can save you over 40% compared to subscribing to each individually.

Who’s stepping onto the dance floor this season? Besides the returning hosts, the lineup boasts Jenna Dewan, Sarah Jane Nader and Julia Stiles. Reality‑TV favorite Ciara Miller, breakout star Maura Higgins from The Traitors, musician Taylor Hanson, and Fresh Prince alum Tatyana Ali round out the celebrity roster. Episode 1 will see the male contestants performing to a No. 1 hit from the year they were born, with one dancer eliminated before the curtain falls. Episode 2 flips the script – the women take the floor, also dancing to chart‑toppers from their birth years, and another contestant says goodbye.

In short, whether you’re a die‑hard fan watching on a big screen TV or a casual viewer catching the highlights on your phone, you’ve got plenty of ways to see the drama unfold. Set your alarms, grab your popcorn, and get ready for the glitter‑filled extravaganza that is Dancing with the Stars Season 35.