# How to watch the DWTS Season 35 premiere

> DWTS returns with 16 celebrities, a two-night premiere, and a free streaming option for ABC viewers.
- Title: How to watch the DWTS Season 35 premiere · Page Six | Shortify
- Summary: DWTS returns with 16 celebrities, a two-night premiere, and a free streaming option for ABC viewers. Season 35 premieres Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with…
- Keywords: dancing with the stars, dwts season 35, abc, directv, witney carson, guillermo rodriguez, val chmerkovskiy, amber glenn, ezra frech, sarah jane nader, two-night premiere, number one hits
- Source: Page Six — https://pagesix.com/2026/09/15/entertainment/how-to-watch-dwts-season-35-premiere-for-free-time-cast
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dancing with the stars, dwts season 35, abc, directv, witney carson, guillermo rodriguez, val chmerkovskiy, amber glenn, ezra frech, sarah jane nader, two-night premiere, number one hits
## DWTS is back
Season 35 opens live from Hollywood after one of the show’s biggest seasons yet. This time, 16 celebrities join the ballroom, the largest cast in DWTS history.

> 16 new celebrities will hit the dance floor.
## Champions return
Reigning mirrorball winner Witney Carson is paired with Guillermo Rodriguez. Val Chmerkovskiy and Ezra Sosa also return after strong Season 34 finishes.
## New pros arrive
The pro lineup grows by two. Next Pro winner Adele Zaikman makes her DWTS debut, while Hailey Bills moves up after a season in the troupe.
## The cast mixes worlds
The lineup includes Olympian Amber Glenn, Paralympian Ezra Frech, reality stars, actors, a chef, a baseball showman, and pop singer Taylor Hanson.
## One historic pairing
Sarah Jane Nader becomes the third celebrity to dance with a same-sex partner on the show. She is paired with newly promoted pro Hailey Bills.

> the third person to dance with a same-sex partner on the show
## How to watch
The Season 35 premiere airs Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Viewers without cable can stream it live through DIRECTV’s five-day free trial.

> When: Sept. 15, 8 p.m. ET
## Two premiere nights
The opener is split across Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. After that, new episodes continue weekly on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
## Birth-year hits
Week 1 sends contestants dancing to number one songs from the year they were born, with the men on Night 1 and the women on Night 2.
## Styles are set
Night 1 includes salsa, tango, quickstep, and several cha-cha-chas. Night 2 brings foxtrot, jive, quickstep, and tangos for the women’s lineup.
## Key takeaway

Season 35 premieres Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with DIRECTV offering a five-day free trial to stream it live.