Dancing with the Stars spin-off premieres but | TV Shows

Dancing with the Stars’ spin-off collection has formally premiered, but viewers are already complaining.

Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which kicked off on Monday, July 13, options 12 dancers competing for a professional spot on Season 35 of the hit ABC dance competitors show. Contestants will battle it out during the weeks-long audition course of in Australia while residing as roommates.

While a number of contestants, like Allen Genkin and Stephani Sosa, have strong connections to DWTS, host and DWTS Season 34 winner, Robert Irwin, warned that their ties imply nothing. However, as the show started, many followers took to X to complain that they could not watch live through streaming on Disney+ or Hulu. This comes after DWTS followers expressed concern about the new collection.

Many identified that the spin-off is not livestreamed on Disney+, with one particular person fuming, “Disappointed the new DWTS spinoff isn’t live streamed on Disney plus.

In the comments of DWTS’ teaser for the premiere, another asked, “Is it not on Disney plus and Hulu until tomorrow?!?!?!” The show’s official account replied, “Stream tomorrow on Disney+ and Hulu!”

The fan responded, “Ughhhh I’ve to waittt.” A third said, “woman it ain’t live on disney plus,” as the account shared the same message.

A fourth annoyed fan penned, “Yeah I assume I’m not watching since it’s not streaming on Disney plus,” as a fifth commented, “I did not notice this was next day on D+…. Ya’ll have not been saying that I assumed it was on there tonight.”

Yet another added, “wait i am unable to watch the next professional live on d+??? it says it is accessible tomorrow.”

However, several fans said on X that they were able to watch the episode, with one person saying, “I’m watching it proper now,” as another added, “WATCHING NOW!!

Other excited followers penned, “I’ve been waiting for this all day long,” and “My next summer obsession has started.”

The solid of hopefuls consists of Adele Zaikman, Allen Genkin, Benjamin Castro, Briar Nolet, Erik Linder, Jake Monreal, Natalie Jolley, Nina Mayster, Selena Hamilton, Stephani Sosa, Tristen Sanders, and AJ Pritchard.

Pro dancer Mark Ballas serves as a decide on the new collection with his mom, Shirley Ballas. During a chat with ABC Audio on the pink carpet of the 2026 Disney Upfront event earlier this 12 months, Mark detailed what followers can count on from the new collection.

“It’s a fascinating show, because it feels like ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ which it kind of is, but it’s also very different because of the format,” he said at the time.

“We’re looking for a pro that’s gonna take on the role of being a pro on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ which is very complex, it’s very nuanced.”

Ballas added that the show “did a really great job of setting up challenges for these dancers.”

“Whether it’s … choreographing, group work, chemistry, teaching challenges, these are the things that you face as a pro on Dancing with the Stars,” he added.

Speaking about co-judging with his mom, Ballas added, “My mother is one of the most elite Latin American dance coaches in the world. Having her level of expertise on the panel is always an asset. No one knows the craft more than her.”

However, the mom and son approached the job otherwise. “She’s been on the side as a judge, and I’ve always been on side as the pro,” Ballas said.

“We had a couple of disagreements out in the field … but we also agreed a lot. She’s very good at what she does, she’s very direct. And when you’re improving on being a professional in this field, you need that.”

Ahead of the spin-off’s premiere, some followers expressed concern about the execs already half of the show.

The ABC show, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2025 and is returning for Season 35 this fall, has long rotated out professional dancers, and contemporary ones have ushered in new followers.

However, the Next Pro sparked worry among loyal followers when it was first announced, as they anxious the show may cut some longtime fan favorites.

While some execs may retire, some followers have speculated that the show’s aim of discovering a new professional for Season 35 may spell unhealthy news for other execs, who might still need to be a half of the collection. Some might discover their time with it cut in favor of newer dancers.

It’s not unusual, as many of the show’s current crop of execs got here from So You Think You Can Dance before becoming a member of the show.