Dancing With the Stars Ratings Soar to Highest Finale Viewership in Nearly a Decade

The season 34 finale of *Dancing With the Stars* was a massive success. It drew 9.24 million viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen data. This marks the show’s most-watched finale since 2016.

The numbers represent a significant jump from last season. The finale’s performance caps a year of major growth for the long-running competition series.

Demo Performance and Season Averages Show Remarkable Resurgence

In the key adult 18-49 demographic, the finale scored a 2.15 rating. This nearly doubles the rating from the previous year’s finale. It is the best demo performance for a finale since 2015.

The entire season averaged just under 6.5 million same-day viewers. This is the highest seasonal average since 2019. The show’s 1.34 rating in the 18-49 demo is its best since fall 2017.

Social Media and Audience Engagement Fuel Ratings Boom

Show executives point to a powerful new dynamic driving viewership. Casting director Deena Katz told The Hollywood Reporter that TikTok and social media created a new audience. This audience felt compelled to watch the broadcast to follow online stories.

This strategy resulted in unprecedented audience participation. A record 72 million votes were cast during the finale alone. Nearly 500 million votes were logged over the entire season.

The stellar Dancing With the Stars ratings prove the show has successfully reinvented itself for a new era. Its embrace of digital culture has sparked a remarkable comeback story for the iconic series.

Thought you’d like to know

How many people watched the DWTS season 34 finale?

The finale was watched by 9.24 million viewers. This is the highest same-day audience for a finale since November 2016.

How did this season’s ratings compare to last season?

Ratings grew by about 33 percent among all viewers. In the key adult 18-49 demographic, viewership increased by a massive 82 percent.

What was the average viewership for the entire season?

Season 34 averaged just under 6.5 million same-day viewers. This is the show’s best seasonal performance since 2019.

Why did the show’s ratings improve so much?

Executives credit a new synergy with social media platforms like TikTok. A new online audience began watching the broadcast to engage with the week’s social media stories.

How many votes were cast this season?

Audience voting hit an all-time high. Nearly 500 million votes were cast over the season, with 72 million coming in during the finale alone.