Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere Sees Strong Ratings Amidst Technical Glitches

The 35th season of "Dancing With the Stars" has launched with a two-night premiere, drawing significant viewership and marking the show's best opening in six years. The initial broadcast, featuring the male celebrity contestants, garnered 6.67 million live viewers, a 24% increase from the previous season's debut. This strong performance indicates a renewed interest in the long-running ABC competition series.

Despite the positive ratings, the premiere was not without its challenges. Viewers reported experiencing considerable online voting glitches, prompting the show's hosts to temporarily switch to text-based voting to ensure participation. The first elimination of the season also took place during the opening night, adding to the competitive drama. The second night of the premiere focused on the female celebrities, with each performing a dance to a No. 1 song from their birth year.