Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Moving to NBC After Five Decades at CBS — Find Out When It’ll Air
A holiday TV staple is switching channels this year from the first time in half a century: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will air on NBC this December after airing on CBS every year since 1972, NBC announced on Friday.
A special 75-minute edition of Rudolph will air Friday, Dec. 6 at 8/7c on NBC to mark its 60th anniversary. The stop-motion animated classic based on the beloved Christmas carol is closely associated with CBS, but it actually debuted on NBC back in 1964, airing there until it moved to CBS eight years later.
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Plus, another animated holiday favorite, Frosty the Snowman, is moving from CBS to NBC as well, airing Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8:30 pm. Frosty, narrated by Jimmy Durante, debuted on CBS in 1969 and has aired there each year during the holiday season ever since.
Rudolph and Frosty will not be available to stream anywhere this year — though they will be available to rent or purchase — but they will air in encores on NBC: Rudolph on Wednesday, Dec. 11; and Frosty on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The Rankin-Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer features Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, who tells viewers the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who is mocked by his fellow reindeer for his glowing red nose. Rudolph leaves home and befriends Hermey, an elf who dreams of being a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, a prospector hunting for gold. Along the way, they avoid the terrifying Abominable Monster and visit the Island of Misfit Toys before Rudolph returns home to help Santa Claus deliver his gifts with his glowing red nose lighting the way.
Will you be watching Rudolph and Frosty on NBC this year? Let us know in the comments.
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