If you're tuning into Dancing with the Stars in 2026, you aren't just watching a reality competition; you're watching the Hough family business. Between Derek's seat at the judges' table and Julianne's role as co-host, the siblings have effectively shifted the show from a "z-list celebrity novelty" to a high-stakes dance showcase that prioritizes technical literacy over manufactured drama.
TL;DR: The Hough siblings' total takeover of Dancing with the Stars has made the show more athletic and technically demanding, which is great for kids interested in dance but requires parents to navigate the occasional "showmance" or revealing costume. For a full breakdown of family-friendly viewing, check out our best shows for kids list.
For years, the show's biggest hurdle was the "popularity contest" problem. A mediocre dancer with a massive fanbase could coast to the finals while actual talent got the boot. While that still happens occasionally, the Houghs have changed the gravity of the ballroom.
Derek Hough is the "tough but fair" judge who actually cares about the placement of a heel or the tension in a frame. When he critiques a contestant, he's teaching the audience how to watch dance. This is the best version of media literacy: helping your kid see the work behind the glitter. Julianne, meanwhile, brings the "pro" perspective to the hosting mic, often asking the technical questions that Alfonso Ribeiro might skip.
If you want to see why Derek has the authority to judge the way he does, this Emmy-winning performance is the benchmark for the "Hough Standard" of athleticism and storytelling.
Since we’re sitting in July, the buzz for the upcoming fall season is just starting to hit. Based on the early promos and the casting rumors floating around, the 2026 season is set to double down on the "professionalism" trend.
Expect the following shifts in the upcoming season:
- The "Hough-Level" Opening Numbers: Rumors suggest Derek will be choreographing at least three major group numbers this season. These are usually the highlight of the show and a great way to show kids what world-class ensemble work looks like.
- More Diverse Dance Styles: The show is expected to move beyond the standard ballroom/latin rotation to include more contemporary, commercial, and even some world dance styles that the Houghs have championed in their own tours.
- A "No-Fluff" Judging Panel: With the current lineup, the judges are spending less time on jokes and more time on the scoreboard. For a kid who is a "completionist" or likes to understand the "rules" of a game, this makes the show much more engaging.
Let's be real: Dancing with the Stars has always flirted with the "too much" line. The costumes are tiny, the spray tans are aggressive, and the producers love a good "showmance" narrative where they imply two partners are dating.
The Houghs haven't necessarily dialed back the glamour, but they have reframed it as "costume and character." If your kid asks why a dress is so short or why two people are dancing so closely, the intentional move is to talk about it as a performance. It’s a great bridge to discussing the difference between professional chemistry and actual relationships.
The show is a "safe" way to encounter these themes because it’s wrapped in the context of a sport. If your kid is in elementary school, they’ll mostly care about the flips and the costumes. If they’re in middle school, they’ll start noticing the social dynamics—which is your cue to talk about how reality TV is edited to make us think certain things.
If watching the Houghs makes your kid want to move, don't just leave it at the TV screen. The real win of an intentional media choice is when it sparks an offline interest.
- Co-watch the rehearsals: The "behind the scenes" packages often show the frustration, the repetitive practice, and the physical toll. This is the most "Screenwise" part of the show—reminding kids that "talent" is mostly just hours of boring practice.
- Compare the styles: If they love the Paso Doble, look up the history of the dance. If they like the Jive, find some old footage of 1940s swing dancers. It turns a 60-minute show into a week-long rabbit hole of cultural history.
- Try a dance game: If you have a Nintendo Switch, Just Dance is the obvious next step. It’s not "ballroom," but it builds the same rhythm and coordination the Houghs are always talking about. You can find more on this in our intro to the Nintendo Switch.
Q: Is Dancing with the Stars appropriate for a 7-year-old? Yes, generally. It’s one of the few shows where the "content" is mostly athleticism and music. The only watch-outs are the occasionally revealing costumes and the "drama" segments between dances, which can sometimes be a bit catty.
Q: Why are the Houghs so involved in the show now? They are the show's biggest success stories. Both started as "Pro" dancers, moved into acting and music, and returned to the show as the "elder statespeople" of the ballroom. Their involvement keeps the show's standards high and its connection to the professional dance world solid.
Q: Is the 2026 season of Dancing with the Stars on Disney+ or ABC? As of now, it's expected to continue the simulcast on both ABC and Disney+. This is great for families because you can watch it live together or catch the replay the next day without commercials if you have the right Disney+ tier.
Q: Are the dances on the show "real" ballroom dancing? Mostly. They are "theatricalized" versions. Real competitive ballroom is a bit more rigid, while the DWTS version adds more stunts, lifts (where allowed), and pop music to make it TV-friendly. Derek Hough is actually one of the people who pushes the hardest to keep the "real" steps in the routines.
Dancing with the Stars in the Hough era is a masterclass in turning a "silly" reality show into a legitimate celebration of a craft. It’s a show that rewards paying attention, values hard work, and gives families a rare piece of common ground. If you can handle the occasional glittery melodrama, it's a solid addition to your family's rotation.
