Full Breakdown
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Premieres July 13
7/14/2026, 11:58:08 AM
Core Event – Premiere Details
The spinoff “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro” debuted on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. The live broadcast is available through any streaming service that carries the network—including DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV—with most platforms offering a limited-time free trial. Episodes air on ABC each Monday and become available the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Background & Context – From Celebrity Competition to Pro Selection
The franchise has aired for more than two decades, pairing celebrities with professional ballroom dancers. “The Next Pro” shifts focus to the professionals themselves, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the audition process that determines who will join the Season 35 lineup of the flagship series later in the fall.
Key Figures – Host, Judges, Guest Mentors, Contestants
- Host: Robert Irwin, winner of the Season 34 Mirrorball trophy.
- Judges: Mark Ballas (four-time Mirrorball champion) and his mother Shirley Ballas (renowned Latin-dance coach).
- Rotating Guest Judges/Mentors: Derek Hough, Witney Carson, Jenna Johnson, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Brandon Armstrong, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, among others.
- Contestants (12): Benjamin Castro, Allen Genkin, Selena Hamilton, Natalie Jolley, Erik Linder, Nina Mayster, Jake Monreal, Briar Nolet, AJ Pritchard, Tristen Sanders, Stephani Sosa (sister of current pro Ezra Ballas), and Adele Zaikman.
Data & Statistics – Numbers Behind the Show
- 12 dancers compete in a house-based format filmed in Australia.
- Streaming access: DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial, plans from $19.99/mo), Fubo (1-day free trial, plans from $54.99/mo), Sling TV (day passes as low as $4.99, monthly plans from $45.99), Hulu + Live TV (3-day free trial, plans from $89.99).
- Next-day on-demand: Disney+ and Hulu release each episode on Tuesday mornings.
Why It Matters – Impact on the Franchise
The winner secures a coveted spot as a professional dancer on DWTS Season 35, directly influencing the chemistry and choreography that define the main series. By spotlighting the teaching, choreography, and partnership skills required of a pro, the spinoff expands audience appreciation for the behind-the-scenes labor that fuels the flagship competition.
Official Statements & Responses
ABC announced the series as “a brand-new competition designed to find the next professional dancer to join the flagship series.” Network communications confirm that the show “will be live on ABC and available on streaming services that carry the network,” while noting that “unlike the flagship series, the spinoff does not stream live on Disney+; episodes appear there the following day.” Mark Ballas emphasized that the format tests “technique, choreography, teaching skills, storytelling, chemistry, and the many responsibilities required of a successful ‘DWTS’ professional.”
Criticism & Opposition – Limited Live Streaming on Disney+
Industry observers have pointed out that the absence of a live Disney+ feed reduces immediate accessibility for subscribers who rely solely on that platform, requiring viewers to use a separate service for the live broadcast.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Free-Trial Lengths and International Availability
Sources differ on the exact free-trial periods offered by streaming services (e.g., five-day vs. one-day trials). Additionally, while the show is broadcast in the United States, several outlets note that it “will not be broadcast in the U.K. on any linear TV channel or streaming platform,” leaving international access uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Mark Ballas, Judge
- “My mother is one of the most elite Latin American dance coaches in the world,” — Mark Ballas, Judge
- “You are really getting to know their story, what inspires them, how long have been they been dancing, what style of dancing, how educated are they in ballroom and Latin, what else do they bring to the table,” — Mark Ballas, Judge
- “And if you can't and you go into panic mode, that's usually when the ship starts sinking.” — Mark Ballas, Judge
- “It was nice to sit back and like, you know, not break a sweat for two hours every day,” — Mark Ballas, Judge
