"Dancing with the Stars" has made a remarkable comeback, and Ryan O'Dowd, president of unscripted at BBC Studios, credits it to the show's ability to adapt to changing times. With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, the show has been able to tap into a new generation of viewers who are hungry for live entertainment.
O'Dowd, who is also an executive producer on "Dancing with the Stars," says that he loves the immediacy of live TV and the ability to react to events as they happen. He notes that the show's biggest success comes from its ability to create viral moments that people can't stop talking about. "It's just an amazing continuation," he says. "The pro dancers and the celebrities on the show have seen the power of being able to tell their story and connect with their audience."
One key factor in the show's success is its social media presence, which has been a major focus for O'Dowd and his team. He notes that TikTok has become an engagement platform unlike anything he had ever seen before, with fans joining the official "Dancing" account's TikTok Lives during commercial breaks.
The show's most popular cast member on social media is Robert Irwin, who has 9.7 million followers on TikTok and nearly 9 million on Instagram. Other contestants and pros have also spoken up about online bullying that comes along with being on a competition show, but O'Dowd notes that the show's producers are working to create a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
As for what's next for "Dancing with the Stars," O'Dowd says that there will be changes in the casting process going forward. The show has become so popular that it's changing the perception of what it means to be on the show, and producers are having to think carefully about who they cast in order to keep up with demand.
One idea being floated is an all-stars season, which would feature previous winners and runners-up competing against each other. O'Dowd notes that this could be a great way to revitalize the show and attract new viewers, but he's not ruling out any other ideas.
Ultimately, O'Dowd says that the key to "Dancing with the Stars"' success is its ability to bring people together. With live TV at its core, the show creates a sense of community and shared experience that viewers can't find anywhere else. As he puts it, "Creating shows that bring people together has never been more important. What we've always strived to do, but are making even more conservative efforts to do as a result of this season of 'Dancing,' is to create shows that are part of the conversation, that engage an audience on social media and get people talking."
With its record-breaking ratings and social media engagement, "Dancing with the Stars" is poised to remain one of the most popular live TV shows on the air for years to come.
O'Dowd, who is also an executive producer on "Dancing with the Stars," says that he loves the immediacy of live TV and the ability to react to events as they happen. He notes that the show's biggest success comes from its ability to create viral moments that people can't stop talking about. "It's just an amazing continuation," he says. "The pro dancers and the celebrities on the show have seen the power of being able to tell their story and connect with their audience."
One key factor in the show's success is its social media presence, which has been a major focus for O'Dowd and his team. He notes that TikTok has become an engagement platform unlike anything he had ever seen before, with fans joining the official "Dancing" account's TikTok Lives during commercial breaks.
The show's most popular cast member on social media is Robert Irwin, who has 9.7 million followers on TikTok and nearly 9 million on Instagram. Other contestants and pros have also spoken up about online bullying that comes along with being on a competition show, but O'Dowd notes that the show's producers are working to create a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
As for what's next for "Dancing with the Stars," O'Dowd says that there will be changes in the casting process going forward. The show has become so popular that it's changing the perception of what it means to be on the show, and producers are having to think carefully about who they cast in order to keep up with demand.
One idea being floated is an all-stars season, which would feature previous winners and runners-up competing against each other. O'Dowd notes that this could be a great way to revitalize the show and attract new viewers, but he's not ruling out any other ideas.
Ultimately, O'Dowd says that the key to "Dancing with the Stars"' success is its ability to bring people together. With live TV at its core, the show creates a sense of community and shared experience that viewers can't find anywhere else. As he puts it, "Creating shows that bring people together has never been more important. What we've always strived to do, but are making even more conservative efforts to do as a result of this season of 'Dancing,' is to create shows that are part of the conversation, that engage an audience on social media and get people talking."
With its record-breaking ratings and social media engagement, "Dancing with the Stars" is poised to remain one of the most popular live TV shows on the air for years to come.
I think what's really cool about this show's comeback is how it's adapted to online trends like TikTok. It's amazing how the creators are using those platforms to engage with a new generation of viewers 
. I mean, who would have thought that being on a dance competition show could be so viral? 
It just goes to show that live TV can still bring people together and create a sense of community 
. As for the casting changes, an all-stars season sounds like a great idea - it's a way to bring back fan favorites and give viewers something new to look forward to 
. But what I love most about this show is its ability to put aside any drama or conflict and focus on the music, the dance, and the connection between contestants and their audiences 
But at the same time, I can understand why some contestants might get bullied online... it's a whole different level of scrutiny, and not everyone is prepared for it.
It's all about community and shared experience, which is something we need more of in our lives. So yeah, I'm totally down for another season! 
. It could definitely bring back some nostalgic feels for old fans while attracting new viewers who want to see familiar faces compete again 
. like, they're essentially trying to recreate the magic of tiktok on their show which is a huge feat in itself. and what's even crazier is that they're relying so heavily on social media engagement as the key to success 
. its like, can't they just create content that people genuinely enjoy watching instead of trying to go viral? i mean dont get me wrong, im glad ryan o'dowd is excited about this but its kinda scary how much pressure there is to deliver results 
! I think what's really working for them is their social media presence - it's like they're speaking directly to their audience and creating those viral moments that just can't be ignored 
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. And yeah, having an all-stars season sounds like a great idea, it could bring back some old favorites and give new fans something to get excited about 
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. The idea of an all-stars season sounds like a great way to mix things up and bring back some old favorites 
Still, I guess it's all part of the package when you're trying to stay relevant in today's digital world 
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I mean, Robert Irwin is low-key my fave right now 
. it's amazing how robert irwin has taken over the show on socials 
i love how ryan o'dowd is all about creating a safe space for everyone involved, no online bullying can ruin the vibe 
. and now they're thinking of an all-stars season? genius! 
As someone who loves layout and structure (I know, I'm a Format Freak 
... O'Dowd is onto something if you ask me 
. And yeah, social media presence is everything now, it's like they're using Instagram (and tiktok) to create a buzz around the show, just like what the girls did on Gossip Girl 
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. The show has found a good formula that works for people, so why mess with it? Ultimately, it's all about keeping the magic of live TV alive and creating a community around it 
, he knows how to adapt the show to new times and make it relevant again 
. And Robert Irwin is killing it on social media, 9.7 million followers?! 
9.7 million on TikTok? That's crazy! 
. Can't wait to see what's next for the show