Strictly Come Dancing has seen a significant drop in overnight viewing figures this year, with average audiences for the first Saturday live show declining to approximately 4.8 million viewers, down from 6.2 million during the equivalent broadcast in 2025. This marked the first occasion in seven years that the opening live episode of the BBC show attracted lower overnight numbers than its pre-recorded launch show.
Sunday results show suffers steeper fall
Last week's inaugural Sunday results programme suffered a steeper blow, falling to roughly 4.5 million viewers, compared to 6.5 million in 2025. A significant contributing factor remains the pre-recorded format, which leaves the elimination outcome vulnerable to being leaked online ahead of the Sunday broadcast.
Following the publication of the ratings figures on X, numerous Strictly devotees found themselves divided. Many viewers described Sunday's results show as 'pointless', given that the pre-recorded outcome frequently surfaces online beforehand.
Viewers react to the ratings
One viewer wrote: "The result had leaked out on Saturday night so I'm sure a lot of people didn't watch because they knew Chris was voted out." While another concurred: "Results are most pointless show. It gets leaked. The show is dragged out with who cares it needs to go."
However, another countered: "This can also be said for last year when 2 million more people still tuned in." Others remarked they 'weren't surprised' as Strictly had 'been ruined' or 'wasn't good TV anymore'.
"I'm surprised it's that high," one individual commented. "They've taken a show and completely ruined it. Full of non celebs plus two out of the three presenters can't present. It's a dance show with the majority of it not dancing and judges that have gone past their by date." While another stated: "No surprise. Not vital TV anymore".
BBC response and streaming factor
BBC representatives stress that conventional overnight figures exclude catch-up viewing on BBC iPlayer and on-demand streaming, where an increasing share of the audience watches the programme. Numerous individuals highlighted this in response to the post, with one commenting: "It's not being remembered that people stream too, stop pulling our happy show down and talk positively or go off social media."
Another contributed: "Didn't this happen with I'm A Celebrity last year where every night was the LOWEST ever but once they added all the viewers who didn't watch it live, it was still a healthy rating? It will be fine."
Despite the decline in viewing figures, Strictly Come Dancing remains the most-watched programme of the weekend in traditional television viewing. This week's Strictly Come Dancing results show airs on Sunday 11 October 2026 from 7:10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
