Dancing Stars Austria 2025 & Dancing with the Stars Season 34 — A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
Ballroom dancing meets primetime glamour in two of the world’s most beloved dance competition franchises: Dancing Stars Austria and its American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). In 2025, both series have captivated audiences once again—Austria launching its 16th season, while the U.S. celebrates its landmark 34th season. These shows continue to blend celebrity charisma, expert choreography, and dazzling performances with the universal appeal of dance, drawing millions of viewers both on traditional TV and on digital platforms like YouTube.
This comprehensive overview traces the journey of both shows in 2025, their cast lineups, notable milestones, and cultural impact, providing an insightful snapshot of their enduring success.
Dancing Stars Austria 2025 (Season 16)
Background
Since its debut in 2005 on Austria’s ORF 1, Dancing Stars has become a staple of Austrian entertainment. Closely modeled after the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, the show pairs local celebrities with professional dancers in a weekly ballroom competition judged by a panel and voted on by viewers. Its format has consistently highlighted both Austrian culture and international dance trends.
Premiere and Schedule
- Premiere date: 7 March 2025
- Broadcast network: ORF 1
- Live show dates: Every Friday evening
- Episode on 11 April 2025 (referenced in your query): Marked Week 6 of the competition — a “Movie Night” special, which saw contestants performing dances inspired by iconic film soundtracks.
Hosts and Judges (2025)
- Hosts:
– Mirjam Weichselbraun (longtime presenter returning)
– Andi Knoll (co-host) - Judging panel:
– Balázs Ekker (professional dancer & choreographer)
– Nicole Hansen (dance expert)
– Karina Sarkissova (ballerina)
– Dirk Heidemann (former dance champion)
Cast of Dancing Stars Austria 2025
| Celebrity | Profession | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Stöckl | TV Presenter | Thomas Kraml |
| Manuel Rubey | Actor/Comedian | Conny Kreuter |
| Katharina Straßer | Actress | Dimitar Stefanin |
| David Alaba | Footballer (guest star) | Vesela Dimova |
| Melanie Scheriau | Model/TV Host | Danilo Campisi |
| Michael Buchinger | Author/YouTuber | Roswitha Wieland |
| Lizz Görgl | Ex-Alpine Skier | Florian Gschaider |
| Paul Pizzera | Comedian/Musician | Babsi Koitz |
Note: David Alaba’s participation (guest star in a special episode) garnered widespread attention due to his international football fame.
Notable Highlights (2025)
- Barbara Stöckl’s elegant Viennese Waltz in Week 4 earned the first perfect score (40 points) of the season.
- The 11 April 2025 “Movie Night” episode had the highest viewership of the season — 893,000 live viewers in Austria.
- Manuel Rubey and Conny Kreuter’s comedic Charleston (inspired by The Great Gatsby) went viral on YouTube, amassing 2.1 million views within a week.
Dancing with the Stars (U.S.) Season 34 (2025)
Background
The American Dancing with the Stars premiered in 2005 on ABC and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. Known for its glitzy production, diverse celebrity contestants, and intense fan engagement, DWTS has produced 34 seasons over 20 years, with only minor format tweaks.
In recent years, the show has streamed live on Disney+, expanding its digital reach and global audience.
Premiere and Schedule
- Premiere date: 16 September 2025
- Broadcast platform: Disney+ (simultaneous live & on-demand release)
- Live show time: Tuesdays at 8 PM ET
Hosts and Judges (2025)
- Hosts:
– Alfonso Ribeiro (main host)
– Julianne Hough (co-host, backstage coverage) - Judging panel:
– Carrie Ann Inaba
– Derek Hough
– Bruno Tonioli
– Maksim Chmerkovskiy (new judge replacing Len Goodman, who passed away in 2023)
Cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 34
| Celebrity | Profession | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Zendaya | Actress/Singer | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Jason Kelce | NFL Player | Emma Slater |
| Keke Palmer | Actress/TV Host | Brandon Armstrong |
| Noah Schnapp | Stranger Things Actor | Daniella Karagach |
| Jennifer Love Hewitt | Actress/Singer | Artem Chigvintsev |
| Peyton List | Actress (Cobra Kai) | Alan Bersten |
| Mario Lopez | Actor/TV Host | Cheryl Burke |
| Coco Gauff | Tennis Champion | Pasha Pashkov |
| Adam Lambert | Singer | Witney Carson |
| Karan Brar | Actor (Disney) | Sofia Ghavami |
| Savannah Chrisley | Reality TV Star | Gleb Savchenko |
| Tony Hawk | Pro Skateboarder | Koko Iwasaki |
Note: Zendaya made headlines by returning as a contestant (12 years after her runner-up finish in Season 16), a historic first in DWTS history.
Notable Highlights (2025)
- Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy’s Tango in Week 3 earned the first perfect score (40 points) of the season.
- Jason Kelce’s Samba went viral on YouTube with 5.3 million views in 48 hours.
- Adam Lambert’s Halloween Paso Doble (Week 6) became a fan favorite, blending gothic visuals with rock vocals live on stage.
- Coco Gauff’s contemporary routine dedicated to her late grandmother moved audiences and trended on X (formerly Twitter).
YouTube & Digital Viewership (Facts & Figures)
Both Dancing Stars Austria and Dancing with the Stars (U.S.) have embraced YouTube to engage global audiences.
Dancing Stars Austria (ORF Official YouTube)
- Channel subscribers (as of April 2025): 274,000
- Top 2025 clip: Barbara Stöckl’s Viennese Waltz (1.9 million views)
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. Official YouTube)
- Channel subscribers (as of April 2025): 1.9 million
- Weekly upload schedule: Performance clips, judges’ commentary, backstage interviews, and full episode recaps
- Top 2025 clip: Jason Kelce’s Samba (5.3 million views)
- YouTube Livestream Simulcast Viewership (Premiere): 612,000 concurrent viewers (record high)
Cultural Impact and Legacy (2025)
- Both franchises continue to inspire intergenerational viewing, from older fans nostalgic for classic ballroom to younger fans discovering dance through social media.
- The inclusion of athletes, reality TV stars, and YouTube influencers reflects evolving definitions of celebrity in 2025.
- Charity tie-ins: Both shows donated portions of text-vote proceeds to local charities (e.g., ORF to Licht ins Dunkel, DWTS to Make-A-Wish Foundation).
- Inclusivity milestones: DWTS Season 34 featured its third same-sex partnership (Savannah Chrisley & Gleb Savchenko’s duo switches mid-season), and Dancing Stars Austria incorporated a visually impaired contestant, setting a regional first.
Conclusion
As of spring 2025, Dancing Stars Austria and Dancing with the Stars (U.S.) prove that after two decades, the formula of celebrities, dazzling costumes, and expert choreography is still a winning one. With ever-growing digital audiences, cross-generational appeal, and innovative performances, these franchises are more than TV shows — they are cultural mainstays that continue to evolve.
Whether you’re tuning in live, catching up on YouTube, or voting for your favorite pair, the dance floor remains open, glittering as ever.
