by By: Brianna Owens
The creative team of the current season of DWTS is using their TikTok platform in addition to performing ballroom dances. The “TikTok Night” this season was an open effort to draw in Gen Z viewers by turning a normal TV show into a social media event.
One Instagram post with the title “TIKTOK THEME NIGHT SONGS AND DANCES! #DWTS” is straightforward that the show prepares viral movements for both the screen and the scroll in as well as airing them.
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage,” among other popular songs on TikTok, was the soundtrack for a number of the show’s viral dance songs and choreography in Week 3. The creators revealed in a People article that the group chose tunes that were meant to attract online buzz and choreography influenced by TikTok.
What does DWTS hope to gain from this?
- First, the show is using viral trends and influencers to generate engagement outside of its live audience. Supporters of competitors with significant followings follow them, and they are very involved on Instagram and TikTok.
- Second, the “TikTok Night” layout creates moments that may be shared online, such as dance movements, BTS practice TikToks, and Instagram Reels. In addition to streaming on Tuesday nights, fans also respond, recreate, and discuss while browsing on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Third, the influence relationship between fandom and voting change by the use of social media. “That TikTok theme tonight was … one of the cringiest, most awkward things this show has ever done,” one Reddit thread said. The critique notes that the show is now a viral marketing business rather than just a ballroom performance.
Here’s a video of the opening dance from TikTok Night ⬇️
Young viewers who might have missed a live airing of the show are being reached by DWTS by creating itself as both TV and social media entertainment. The show makes a smart transition by being multi-platform and diverse, which eventually makes it more relevant in the online world of 2025.
With its open platform campaigns, influencer incorporation, and trending methods, DWTS gives social media students with a current example of how old media companies are changing. Now, the question is if the show can maintain its momentum or if moving to TikTok will eventually appear tacky.
I really love your breakdown of Dancing With The Stars and how it is leaning into TikTok culture to stay relevant. You mentioned that they turned into a “social media event” instead of just a Tuesday-night broadcast is spot on. It honestly feels like DWTS is trying to meet Gen Z where they already are instead of hoping older audiences suddenly care about ballroom dancing. I also think your note about fan influence shifting through social media platforms is very true. When influencers and famous people join the show, it immediately brings their followers as viewers too. I never really watched DWTS, but one of my favorite influencers is on the show this year, so I have been keeping up with it every Tuesday. The big question you raised at the end is one I have thought of, too. At what point does tapping into trends become too much? Overall, great post!
Hi Brianna, I really enjoyed your post! I’m a DWTS fan myself and thought the TikTok night was so fun. I like how you analyzed the way the DWTS platform is leveraging TikTok. I also think a big part of this strategy comes from the fact that some of their dancers are TikTok stars, so creating a TikTok night definitely helps draw more viewers in.
Really good post, Brianna! I love how you explained DWTS’s move to TikTok and social media. It’s cool to see an older TV show finding ways to connect with Gen Z. The points about using viral trends, influencers, and multi-platform content make a lot of sense for keeping the show relevant. I also liked that you included some critique from fans; it shows that while the strategy is smart, it doesn’t always land perfectly. Definitely gave me a new perspective on how traditional media is adapting to social platforms!
Hi Brianna!
I think you did a great job at explaining how Dancing With The Stars is utilizing TikTok to draw in Gen Z viewers. I’ve watched a few seasons of this show, and I have definitely noticed how they’ve begun leaning into social media as a way to create and maintain relevance. I think that both the efforts from show producers and the couples work hand in hand at reaching this younger audience. In the last three years, I’ve noticed that more contestants have made efforts to connect with fans online by making TikTok content. By creating connections online with fans, people are more engaged with the contestants’ journeys and will be more likely to tune into the show. This engagement continues if the themed nights are something that they can connect with and understand. I also really liked your ending question. I’m as well curious to see what the show will do to continue the momentum they currently have.
Brianna, great work! I loved reading about DWTS and I definitely had a lot of similar thoughts to you. I thought TikTok night was genius – not only because Alix Earle was dancing, but because it really applied to our age. I never religiously watched DWTS until this year, and I think a lot of that was due to not feeling like the show fit my age range. I really liked how you broke down these ideas and explained them.