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'DWTS' Season 31: Outrage after show migrates from ABC to Disney+ , fans call it 'bonehead move'

Fans across the board are saying that they will NOT be coerced into watching 'DWTS' on Disney+ and that the show belongs on ABC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fans are not embracing 'Dancing With the Stars' recent decision to shift the series from ABC to Disney+ for the forthcoming seasons. As the dancing reality show prepares to leave its home for the past 30 seasons and make its way to the streaming service on September 19, social media is inundated with posts by angry fans.

Many fans have quit watching the show through the years for various reasons. Much of the turmoil began just before Season 29 when the show dismissed Tom Bergeron and replaced him with Tyra Banks. Fans have now also threatened to quit watching the show if it did not return to its regular hour on ABC. The long-running competition-based show will move from network television to Disney+, as previously stated. But fans are not willing to pay for another streaming service only to watch one reality show. Viewers were outraged after the show released a sneak peek of the new season.

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Kareem Daniel, the chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution said in a statement: "Dancing With the Stars has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series.” Kareem added, “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for Dancing With the Stars while continuing to expand our demographic reach."

Adding her two bits, Dana Walden, Chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television said, "Dancing With the Stars has been a beloved staple on ABC for 30 seasons and brought so much joy to millions of viewers," said, "as we’re significantly expanding our unscripted slate at ABC, this is a great opportunity to introduce this show to a whole new generation of fans on Disney+."

Despite the fact that the move was announced simultaneously with a two-season renewal at the Disney-owned streaming service, which means that Seasons 31 and 32 of 'Dancing With the Stars' have been picked up, the two-season renewal was completely overshadowed by the news of the move, which disappointed many fans. Many pointed out that in the future, fans will have to fork over extra money to watch 'Dancing With the Stars,' with a Disney+ subscription costing $7.99 per month or $79.99 yearly.

When it aired on ABC for free, 'Dancing With The Stars' was well-liked by its viewers. Disney+ has a premium subscription fee, thus it is expected that many fans who used to watch it for free will 'drop out'. Despite the fact that streaming services have been very popular in recent years, senior viewers don't always use them. A lot of other viewers just cannot afford another streaming service.Many 'DWTS' fans have openly said they won't be watching this season in protest. One such fan tweeted: "#DWTS will be on #DisneyPlus - a boneheaded move. Something that's been on #Network TV 4 many 2 enjoy-now going 2 a paid streaming service. I have Disney+ but more 4 Marvel-most people do not-Personally, I won't b watching DWTS-my own protest. #Greed https://tinyurl.com/35nj3r48." Fed up with the innumerable changes made to the show over the years, another fan wrote: "Not me, CA, who was a loyal fan from season 1 until Tom Bergeron was let go. No way I'm going to pay for a streaming service just to watch #DWTS . The fact that Tyra Banks is still there certainly isn't enticing either. She's run the show into the ground just like she did on #AGT."

Questioning why they have to pay for a show that had been on network tv for years until now, another fan tweeted: "So you want me to pay additional money to watch a show that’s been on network TV for years? Nope! #DWTS." Some fans just can't justify the cost of the subscription: "I won't pay to watch #DWTS ...I had Disney Plus but got rid of it because there was nothing to justify the cost and DWTS doesn't change that."

Calling out the show for its 'bad' decisions over the years, one fan tweeted: "#DWTS is making some really bacd decisions over the last few years. First they got rid of Tom and Erin and now they are telling their audience that they don't need us to watch. I will never pay to watch #DWTS even if Mark is back." Complaining how fans already have to pay for so many subscriptions already, one fan wrote: "So we have to pay to watch #DWTS now? Chile I have so many subscriptions FFS!" A fan also questioned why they would pay for a TikTok dancer when they can watch them for free on social media: "why would i pay a subscription to watch charli damelio dance? i see enough of tht for free on tik tok #dwts." Some fans are now finding ways around the issue so that they can still enjoy the show: "Let's all make a pact to share the Disney Plus passwords when "Dancing With the Stars" comes back. We shouldn't have to pay to watch this show! RT!"

Another fan on Facebook wrote: "I have been watching DWTS for many years. Not anymore. As an older person I don’t ‘stream’ . ABC & Disney doesn’t care for older loyal viewers only interested in the younger ones. Who probably don’t know who any of the contestants are!"

'Dancing with the Stars' Season 31 is all set to premiere its first episode on September 19 at 8 pm ET.