All the changes on “Dancing With the Stars” didn’t help the ABC reality show from continuing its slide in the ratings for its 18th season premiere on Monday night.
The debut episode drew 15.4 million viewers, down 9 percent from the year-ago opener to hit a low for the show’s spring premiere.
Among the “money” demo of adults 18-49, the show posted a 2.6 rating, down 19 percent from last spring and its lowest rating since fall 2012, the last time “Dancing” premiered against “The Voice.”
The NBC reality show crushed its competition in the demo with a 4.1 rating, though the older-skewing “Dancing” prevailed in total viewers (15.4 million vs. 13.5 million).
“Dancing With the Stars” — whose contestants this season include Olympic ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, game show host Drew Carey and reality star NeNe Leakes — made a number of format tweaks this season in an effort to goose ratings.