How the Dancing with the Stars Finale Live Broadcast Works
The Dancing with the Stars finale live event typically airs as a two-hour special on ABC in the United States, with a simultaneous live stream on Hulu and the ABC app. The show is produced by BBC Studios and executive produced by Conrad Green, with live orchestral arrangements by Harold Wheeler and choreography by industry professionals. The finale live format includes a fusion dance round where finalists perform two routines in one continuous piece, followed by a judges' critique and a viewer vote that determines the champion. The broadcast reaches millions of viewers, with the 2023 season averaging approximately 4.5 million viewers per episode according to early ratings data from Nielsen. For the most current season details, you can check the official ABC schedule page here.
The live broadcast is directed by a multi-camera team that includes a main director and a dedicated floor director managing the stage. Camera setups include robotic cameras, Steadicam operators, and aerial shots from the studio ceiling. The finale live show is recorded at a soundstage in Los Angeles, with a live studio audience of approximately 200 to 300 attendees. The show's runtime for the finale is typically 120 minutes with commercials, and it is also available for on-demand viewing the next day on Hulu and Disney+ in select international markets. The production team includes a music supervisor who coordinates the live band and pre-recorded backing tracks for each performance.
Finale Results and Scoring System
Judges and Scoring Breakdown
The Dancing with the Stars finale live uses a scoring system where three professional judges award up to 30 points per routine, with a fourth celebrity judge sometimes joining for the finale. The current judges for the most recent season include Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, with guest judges rotating based on the season. Scores from the judges are combined with a nationwide viewer vote that opens during the first half of the show and closes shortly before the results are announced. The fusion dance round in the finale carries extra weight because it combines two dance styles into one performance, allowing judges to evaluate versatility, musicality, and synchronization more rigorously. Detailed scoring data and judge commentary are published on the official ABC website and the Dancing with the Stars Wikipedia page here.
The winner is determined by a combination of judges' scores and viewer votes, with the couple receiving the highest total points declared the champion. In the event of a tie, the judges' scores take precedence over the viewer vote. The runner-up and third-place finishers are also announced during the finale live show, and the results are immediately posted on ABC's official website and social media channels. The trophy awarded to the winners is a crystal ballroom dance couple sculpture designed exclusively for the show. Historical data on past winners and their average scores can be found on the official Dancing with the Stars website here.
Where to Watch the Dancing with the Stars Finale Live
Streaming and Broadcast Options
In the United States, the Dancing with the Stars finale live is broadcast on ABC and is available to stream live on Hulu with a live TV add-on, as well as on the ABC app with authentication through a participating TV provider. The live stream is also available on Disney+ in select international markets where the show is licensed. For cord-cutters, live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry ABC in most markets, allowing viewers to watch the finale live without a traditional cable subscription. The show is also available for on-demand replay the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
International broadcast