NBC is giving audiences a chance to revisit a seasonal favorite this year: Frosty the Snowman, the 1969 animated classic, is scheduled to air Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. EST, with a second airing set for Tuesday, December 9 at 8 p.m. EST. This return to network television is increasingly rare, as many beloved holiday specials have shifted to streaming platforms or cable-only rotation in recent years. Frosty’s placement on NBC offers some hope that a few traditional broadcast staples are either here to stay or making a much-needed comeback.
For viewers building a full holiday viewing lineup, Frosty is not the only classic on TV this December. NBC will also air Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. and again December 11 at 8 p.m. EST, while How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 1966 animated special) will air Thursday, December 4 at 8 p.m., with a repeat scheduled for Christmas Day at 8 p.m. Viewers who miss the network airings can still watch these specials on cable or streaming platforms where broadcast partners have made them available.
NBC is offering viewers a chance to see ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and other holiday classics on cable TV
Frosty the Snowman, produced by Rankin/Bass and narrated by Jimmy Durante, debuted in 1969 and quickly became a holiday favorite thanks to its cheerful story and memorable music. For decades, annual airings made it a December fixture. But shifting rights deals in recent years have made free broadcast showings less common, making NBC’s 2025 airing notable for fans who want the classic without chasing after or managing yet another online streaming subscription.
Over time, Frosty and other Rankin/Bass specials have moved among networks, cable channels, and streaming platforms, sometimes disappearing from broadcast schedules entirely. This year’s return to prime-time network TV offers a viewing experience that feels especially nostalgic, in a year when Christmas trees, lights, and decor have gone up in households around the country particularly early.
When to keep an eye on the screen
For anyone hoping to catch Frosty—or introduce the next generation to this festive fun—the NBC broadcasts on December 4 and December 9 provide two opportunities. And for those who miss them, cable channels and streaming services will offer additional ways to watch.
With several classics returning to television this season, 2025 is finally giving viewers a unique mix of traditional hits and modern viewing options both. This is especially helpful in a time when ownership over certain intellectual properties has become such a foggy mystery, such as whenever Peanuts fans have to parse together watching Snoopy and the gang on Apple TV+, and when—if ever—cable is an option year by year.