Is this the end of DANCING WITH THE STARS on Seven?

Seven Network hits pause on Dancing With The Stars amid production cost concerns

The Seven Network has placed Dancing With The Stars Australia on hold, with the hit competition noticeably absent from the network’s 2026 Upfronts presentation.

Sources have told TV Blackbox the decision to delay the show’s renewal is tied to the high cost per hour of producing the glitzy ballroom series. While many of Seven’s other reality programs air across multiple nights, Dancing With The Stars has typically been confined to Sunday evenings, making it a less cost-effective format for the broadcaster.

Network insiders have indicated Seven remains satisfied with the program’s performance and continues to review its options regarding the future of the format. The pause, however, means fewer on-air duties in 2026 for high-paid hosts Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown.

The decision follows what was a strong 2025 season for the long-running series. According to OzTAM data, the show averaged 922,000 national total TV viewers, a 5% increase from 2024. Over its full run, it reached 7.6 million Australians across both broadcast and 7plus platforms, with streaming figures surging 58% year-on-year.

The Grand Finale, broadcast on 4 August 2025, drew an average of 937,000 national viewers and saw Home and Away actor Kyle Shilling lift the Mirror Ball Trophy after a live audience vote.

At the time, Seven executives were understood to be weighing up a 2026 renewal, citing the show’s reliable ratings and promotional value for network talent despite its steep production costs.

Dancing With The Stars Australia is produced locally by BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand from a format created and distributed by BBC Studios.

TV Blackbox has approached Seven and the BBC for comment.