After a decade-long drought, Dancing with the Stars returns to Emmy contention

Dancing with the Stars has earned its first Emmy nomination in 10 years, landing a spot in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category. The ABC series, which previously dominated the category with 11 consecutive nominations between 2006 and 2016, now finds itself back in the awards conversation after a prolonged absence.

"Dancing with the Stars has received its first Emmy nomination in a decade, landing a spot in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category."

DeadlineDancing with the Stars earns first Emmy nomination in 10 years for Outstanding Reality Competition Program

The show will compete against heavyweights Survivor, Top Chef, The Traitors, and RuPaul's Drag Race, a field that underscores the competitive landscape the series has re-entered. According to Deadline, this return to the awards scene follows strong ratings in recent years, suggesting the show has regained momentum with audiences.

Whatfinger reported that the nomination came on the heels of the show's viral 34th season, which may have helped push it back into Emmy voters' sights. The series was last nominated in the category in 2016, making this recognition a notable milestone for a program that had become a fixture on the nominations list for over a decade.

"The ABC reality series was last nominated in the category in 2016, earning the nod following its viral 34th season."

While Dancing with the Stars had fallen out of the Emmy conversation in recent years, the new nomination signals that the franchise's blend of celebrity and dance competition still resonates with voters. Whether it can pull off a win against established favorites remains to be seen, but the nomination alone marks a significant achievement for the long-running series.