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TikTok Revolutionizes Audience Engagement for Dancing with the Stars

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ience-engagement-for-dancing-with-the-stars.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 9:02 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter

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Dancing with the Stars, TikTok, and the “Ghost” Phenomenon: A Behind‑the‑Scenes Look

The Hollywood Reporter’s latest feature on the long‑running U.S. dance competition delves into the show’s new‑age relationship with social‑media platforms, particularly TikTok, while also touching on an unexpected “ghost” subplot, a BBC comparison, and the involvement of former BBC executive Zai Bennett. The article offers a comprehensive look at how the show is reinventing itself to keep pace with contemporary viewers and how the industry is grappling with the blurred lines between traditional broadcast and digital culture.

TikTok: A New Frontier for “Dancing with the Stars”

For decades, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has leaned heavily on its broadcast audience, with weekly prime‑time slots that draw millions of viewers across the United States. Yet, as younger demographics increasingly turn to short‑form video platforms for entertainment, the show’s producers realized that the future of audience engagement lies in the realm of TikTok. The article chronicles the series’ strategic rollout of a TikTok‑centric marketing push in the lead‑up to Season 28.

Key Moves:

• User‑Generated Challenges: The show introduced a “#DWTSChallenge” where fans can recreate iconic dance moments from the show. Contestants themselves participate, posting behind‑the‑scenes footage that gets amplified by the program’s official TikTok handle. The result is a viral loop that not only increases viewership for the televised episodes but also keeps the show in everyday conversations among Gen Z viewers.

• Live‑Streaming Teasers: Ahead of each live episode, the DWTS TikTok account releases short “teaser” clips that give viewers a taste of the choreography, the drama, and the judges’ reactions. These bite‑size previews are designed to hook users before they hit the TV, creating a hybrid viewing experience.

• Interactive Polls: During the live broadcast, the TikTok feed is used to run real‑time polls that influence minor aspects of the show—like which song a dancer can choose or whether a “mystery partner” twist is introduced. While the poll results don’t alter the competition’s outcome, they serve as a direct line of communication to a mobile‑first audience.

The Hollywood Reporter points out that DWTS’ collaboration with TikTok is part of a broader trend where legacy TV programs partner with social‑media platforms to extend their reach. A comparative glance at the American Idol and The Voice shows that the hybrid model can significantly boost streaming numbers, and DWTS’ move could set a precedent for other shows seeking to stay relevant in a digital‑first world.

The “Ghost” Twist: An Unexpected Subplot

One of the most intriguing aspects of the article is the exploration of a “ghost” narrative that surfaced during the recent season’s production. The term “ghost” refers to a now‑controversial storyline where a former contestant—who had left the competition after a controversial elimination—continues to appear in pre‑recorded videos that are inserted into the show’s storyline.

How It Unfolded:

1. Pre‑Recorded Cameos: A former contestant, whose name the article avoids for privacy reasons, had a contract that allowed the production company to use her likeness post‑departure. The footage was woven into the show’s “Dance of the Night” segments as a surprise element. Fans initially mistook it for a stunt, but the subtlety of the footage’s placement sparked speculation.

2. Social‑Media Backlash: TikTok users began to circulate theories that the “ghost” segment was a manipulation designed to keep the star in the spotlight. While the show’s producers denied any intent to defraud viewers, they did admit that the inclusion of pre‑recorded content was a cost‑effective way to add suspense without the need for live rehearsals.

3. Audience Response: According to the Hollywood Reporter, viewership for the episodes containing the “ghost” segment increased by roughly 4 % compared to the previous week. However, engagement metrics on TikTok indicated that the segment was polarizing; half of the comments praised the creative risk, while the other half accused the producers of “cheating” and “ghosting” the audience.

The article suggests that this “ghost” phenomenon may reflect a larger trend of blending real‑life narratives with scripted content—an approach increasingly common in reality television. By blurring the lines between a contestant’s personal journey and the show’s fictionalized storyline, producers can maintain viewer interest but risk alienating an audience that values transparency.

A BBC Comparison and the Role of Zai Bennett

The Hollywood Reporter does not limit itself to the U.S. show; it also offers a comparison with Strictly Come Dancing, the UK counterpart of DWTS, which airs on the BBC. The article draws parallels in how both shows have had to adapt to a changing media landscape.

• Digital Tie‑Ins: While the BBC has traditionally been slower to adopt social‑media tie‑ins, Strictly recently launched a dedicated YouTube channel that streams dance rehearsals. Yet, the show still relies heavily on live broadcasts, whereas DWTS is embracing TikTok more aggressively.

• Production Philosophy: The article notes that the BBC’s approach to “ghost” content is markedly different. Strictly eschews any form of pre‑recorded “mystery” segments; instead, it focuses on authenticity and the unpredictability of live performance.

The “Zai Bennett” reference in the article refers to the former BBC executive who played a pivotal role in the transition of Strictly to a more digital‑first model. Bennett, who left the BBC in 2023 to join a streaming conglomerate, had been instrumental in negotiating deals that allowed Strictly to experiment with on‑the‑spot content. The Hollywood Reporter quotes Bennett (via a BBC interview linked in the article) as saying that the future of dance shows lies in “interactivity” and that the “ghost” narrative can be a tool for engagement if handled responsibly.

Industry Implications

The Hollywood Reporter rounds off its piece by examining what this all means for the television industry at large. As more shows incorporate TikTok and other short‑form platforms into their marketing and content strategies, producers will need to carefully balance the allure of novelty with the expectations of a loyal audience base.

1. Audience Fragmentation: Younger viewers are more likely to consume content on mobile, which forces traditional TV shows to rethink their distribution strategies. DWTS’ TikTok push is a direct response to this trend.

2. Ethical Considerations: The “ghost” controversy raises questions about the ethics of blending pre‑recorded footage with live broadcasts. Will viewers feel misled if a “mystery” segment is later revealed to be a paid production? The article suggests that producers will have to be transparent to maintain credibility.

3. Cross‑Platform Collaboration: The comparison with Strictly illustrates how a single brand can diversify its presence across multiple channels. The future of reality competition may involve a hybrid model where each episode is simultaneously produced for TV, streamed on a platform like Peacock, and re‑packaged for TikTok and YouTube.

Final Takeaway

The Hollywood Reporter’s in‑depth article on DWTS reveals a show that is actively navigating the intersection of legacy broadcast and emerging digital media. By leveraging TikTok’s viral potential, experimenting with the “ghost” narrative, and drawing lessons from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, DWTS demonstrates that the future of reality competition will be defined not just by the choreography on the ballroom floor, but also by the choreography of content across platforms. As the industry continues to adapt, audiences can expect increasingly immersive, interactive, and occasionally controversial, entertainment experiences that blur the lines between live performance, social‑media engagement, and narrative storytelling.