EXCLUSIVE: Since then Dancing with the stars Launched in 2005, ABC has kept the number of viewers who vote for their favorite celebrity hoofers secret – until now.

Whether it’s the participation of two popular Olympic athletes or the controversial inclusion of convicted felon Anna Delvey, ABC says engagement on their variety show is stronger than ever.

The September 24 episode in which Delvey appeared as “Fashionista.” Beverly Hills, 90210‘s Tori Spelling go home get more than 14 million fan votes, the highest response to a single episode in the series’ history.

That means more votes are being counted today than when NFL stars Hines Ward and Kym Johnson won the most-watched Season 12 of 2011, when a whopping over 22 million viewers watched the show. Voters can vote on which celebrities they want to keep via text message or via dwtsvote.abc.com.

“Viewers can vote multiple times. “So if you particularly care about certain couples, you can vote up to 10 times for each couple,” executive producer Conrad Green tells Deadline. “The record number of votes this week leads me to conclude that a much of our audience are very passionate about a much of our stars this year, and the year-on-year ratings increases suggest this is the case.”

RELATED: Zendaya says ‘Dancing With The Stars’ was ‘a very stressful experience’ and hasn’t watched the show since competing

After seven days of viewing (including linear viewing) on ​​ABC, Disney+, Hulu and other digital platforms, the DWTS The Season 33 premiere averaged 7.32 million total viewers and a 1.31 rating among adults 18-49, a 47% increase in total viewers from the original Live+Same Day audience ( 7.32 million versus 4.97 million) and by 79% among adults aged 18 to 49. 49 (Rating 1.31 vs. Rating 0.73).

After two episodes – the series did not air last week – Dancing with the stars averages 0.81 among adults ages 18-49 for L+3 viewers. The two-episode average is also 17% higher than the previous season average among adults 18-49 (0.81 rating vs. 0.70).

RELATED: Anna Delvey Explains Why She Will Take ‘Nothing’ From ‘DWTS’ Experience: ‘Waste of Time’

“At its core, as always, it’s the cast that makes the season,” Green says of this year’s lineup, which includes Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, Olympic pommel horse medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, NBA champion Dwight Howard and Phaedra Parks The Real Housewives of Atlanta. “This group of stars are genuinely likeable, talented and love being on the show – and that passion for what they do really shines through on live television. There’s real dance talent in the cast and lots of unique stories, as well as so much potential in the couples to grow as performers.

“Also, Dancing with the stars “It’s a really positive show at a time when things are pretty dark in the world, so there’s a certain escapism and sense of community that comes with watching it that reminds us of what we have in common as Americans,” Green continues. “Plus, we’ve been on the air long enough that a new generation of viewers are watching with their kids, and the show’s popularity is exploding on social apps like TikTok, attracting new viewers.”

DWTSthat of BBC Studios Los Angeles Prods. produced in front of a live audience, returns tonight with Soul Train Night. There will be no elimination.