Currently, if fans want to watch past seasons ofΒ DWTS, they are limited to very few options.

Only seasons 31 to the latestΒ season 34Β are available onΒ Disney+, whileΒ HuluΒ only includes episodes from the season that isΒ currently airing.

Seasons 1 through 30 are nowhere to be found online, and according to a production insider, that will not be changing in the near future.

β€œThe reason Dancing with the Stars past seasons aren’t available on streaming is because production cannot afford what it would cost for the music licensing.

β€œIt would easily cost millions, well into the 10 figures, to use the music for all the seasons.

β€œSo no, there are no discussions to change that anytime soon. No active talks and it’s not a priorityΒ to theΒ network,” a source told The U.S. Sun.

The insider then explained: β€œThe show would not be able to profit from streaming it.

β€œAnd frankly, it’s just purely a business decision as to why it hasn’t happened yet.”

Additionally, residuals would have to be paid out to previous cast members, which would add to the costly decision for ABC.

While the exact numbers of the DWTS music budget cannot be confirmed, it is speculated that the show spends tens of thousands of dollars per episode on licensing songs.

The price of the song varies, as a chart-topper would cost much more than a lesser-known song.

Additionally, the exclusive use of the song and the timeline the song is used for impacts the cost.

PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC

On DWTS, the house band, led by longtime bandleader Ray Chew, plays live cover versions of the songs; however, they still cost money to use.

The live covers are due to the rights of using the song, not the cost, according to the production insider.

If the show did not get rights directly from the artist, they are still able to use the live band cover; however, it still costs money to play the track.

Fans have longed to watch previous seasons of the show on streaming platforms and have complained about the lack of options online.

β€œIt’s ridiculous that in the year 2025, we are still not able to watch old seasons ANYWHERE,” one fan raged.

β€œI cannot believe that they’ve given us zero way of going back to old seasons,” another shocked viewer wrote.

While one more expressed thatΒ DisneyΒ should make a separateΒ streaming serviceΒ just for β€œall the seasons” and noted they’d β€œpay a lot” for that app.

Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Billy Porter posing together at the judges' table.
Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and guest Billy PorterCredit: Getty
 

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews hosting "Dancing with the Stars".
Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews host the 24th season of DWTSCredit: Getty
 

The judges and host of Dancing with the Stars sit behind a desk with the show's logo.
CARRIE ANN INABA, TOM BERGERON, LEN GOODMAN, BRUNO TONIOLI, on DWTS in 2019Credit: Getty