BBC Ends Premium-Rate Phone Voting for Strictly Come Dancing, Moves to Online Accounts

The BBC has announced a significant change to the voting system for Strictly Come Dancing and other shows, ending the use of premium-rate phone voting. This system, previously available for years on programs like Strictly, Eurovision, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, has been deemed outdated and costly to maintain. The majority of votes in recent series have already been cast online, which has now become the sole method of voting. Viewers must have a BBC account to participate in online voting, with clear instructions to be provided during broadcasts to help fans through the transition. The 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing will launch on September 20, featuring 15 celebrity contestants, and will encourage fans to vote exclusively via the BBC website. This change follows BT's announcement that it will cease providing phone voting services in early 2025, solidifying the shift to digital engagement.