Dancing With the Stars is heading to Disney Plus

Image: Disney

The first live series to debut exclusively on the Disney Plus service will be Dancing With the Stars.

The series aired 30 seasons on ABC and Disney's broadcast TV network. The series will premiere in the US and Canada in the fall on Disney Plus. The show will be shot in front of a live audience.

Disney Plus has rights to past seasons. Heather Levine, a Disney spokeswoman, was asked if Dancing With the Stars will air on broadcast or if Disney Plus will get the full catalog.

The decision to move one of ABC's biggest live television series to Disney Plus underscores the company's commitment to bringing more subscribers to its marquee streaming service. Disney Plus has a goal of reaching 260 million subscribers by the year 2024. Some of Disney's biggest films have been on Disney Plus, and the service recently announced a cheaper, ad-supported tier.

The show's broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney Plus the perfect home for Dancing with the Stars.

It is a bold decision given the show's popularity. Dancing With the Stars was one of the top five shows with adults ages 18 to 49, according to the company. The chairman of entertainment at Disney said in a statement that ABC is focused on expanding its unscripted slate.