ABC Unwraps Holiday Presentations of Fan Favorite Shows

Series photos are available here.

• Following a spectacular season of unprecedented growth, “Dancing with the Stars” bedazzled viewers with its first holiday special, “Dancing with the Holidays” (8 p.m. ET/PT), becoming the No. 1 show of the night among Adults 18-49 (0.65 rating) and earning 5.2 million Total Viewers.

• In fact, “Dancing with the Holidays” was the top-performing holiday-themed special across the broadcast networks among Adults 18-49 in two years — since 11/29/23.
• In addition, after demonstrating impressive growth among younger viewers this season, “Dancing with the Holidays” was the top program of the night among Adults 18-34 (0.61 rating).
• Immediately following at 9 p.m., ABC’s annual “CMA Country Christmas” from Nashville led the hour in entertainment programming and was the No. 2 entertainment show of the night among Adults 18-49 (0.34 – tied), behind only ABC’s “Dancing with the Holidays.” The show also earned 3.90 million Total Viewers.
• Among Adults 18-34 (0.26 rating), “CMA Country Christmas” rose +24% over last year’s special (vs. 0.21 rating), hitting a 5-year high — since 11/30/20.
• Wrapping up Tuesday night at 10 p.m., “What Would You Do?: Holiday Special” earned 2.33 million Total Viewers and a 0.21 rating among Adults 18-49. 
• With hidden cameras revealing who was naughty and who was nice, the show rose over its 2024-2025 regular season average by +40% in Total Viewers (2.33 million vs. 1.67 million) and +19% among Adults 18-49 (0.21 rating vs. 0.17 rating).
• The special also led the hour in entertainment programming in the Adults 25-54 news demographic (31 rating).
• On social platforms, “Dancing with the Holidays” was the No. 1 most social entertainment program across broadcast and cable for the night, while “CMA Country Christmas” was the No. 2 most social entertainment program on the night — up +138% over last year’s “CMA Country Christmas” (185,200 vs. 77,700).

“Dancing with the Stars” and “Dancing with the Holidays” are produced by BBC Studios.

Source: Nielsen National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings for 12/2/25. 24/25 Season based on Big Data Plus Panel, while prior years are panel-only. Talkwalker SCR. 

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