Why didn't Dancing With the Stars air tonight? New release date and more details explored

ABC’s hit dance competition show, Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), has long entertained audiences with its blend of celebrity pairings, intricate choreography, and exciting performances. However, the show has taken a brief hiatus and has not aired a new episode this week on Tuesday, November 5.

The programming pause is due to the 2024 presidential election, allowing ABC to prioritize live election coverage over Dancing With the Stars. This means viewers won’t vote for their favorite couples this week and must wait until the show returns on November 12.

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When will Dancing With the Stars return?

Election coverage and new release date

To provide uninterrupted coverage of the 2024 presidential election, ABC has chosen to preempt Dancing With the Stars this week, prioritizing this significant national event. The previous episode titled Halloween Nightmares included an announcement by hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, reminding fans of the break and encouraging viewers to vote on Election Day.

This season, DWTS has adjusted its schedule twice for political events, first pausing in October for the Vice Presidential debate and airing back-to-back Soul Train and Hair Metal episodes the following week. After this Election Day break on November 5, the show will resume its regular schedule on November 12, with only a few episodes remaining until the finale.

When Dancing With the Stars returns next week, it will mark its 500th episode, featuring past pros, iconic routines, and a group dance to Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love as a tribute to the debut episode. Producers promise the "most difficult challenge" in the show's history as couples gear up for the final rounds.

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Performances planned for the 500th episode

To celebrate this milestone, each couple will perform a dance inspired by memorable past routines, honoring former contestants and raising the bar for this season’s competitors. The night will also feature an Instant Dance Challenge, where couples will learn their style and music just before performing, testing their adaptability and quick thinking.

The lineup for the 500th episode includes the following anticipated performances:

• Danny Amendola and Witney Carson: Quickstep to Hey Pachuco, inspired by season 5’s Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough
• Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson: Contemporary to Work Song, inspired by season 20’s Riker Lynch and Allison Holker
• Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach: Argentine Tango to Santa Maria, inspired by season 23’s James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess
• Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong: Argentine Tango to Para Te, inspired by season 16’s Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough
• Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten: Quickstep to Chuck Berry, inspired by season 25’s Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold
• Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold: Viennese Waltz to Glimpse of Us, inspired by season 31’s Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas

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With only three episodes remaining, Dancing With the Stars is entering the final stretch of season 33, building momentum towards the finale on November 26. In these last episodes, couples will face heightened competition as they vie for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, a tribute to the late former judge.

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Tune in to see unforgettable performances, and find out who will make it to the final rounds. Witness all the action live at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+!