NBC is bringing back a holiday tradition this season: the stop-motion classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will air on Friday, December 5 at 8pm. EST, with a second broadcast scheduled for Thursday, December 11 at the same time. Many longtime fans know Rudolph as the longest-running Christmas TV special in the United States, and its return to network television is drawing attention as a nod to holiday-season nostalgia.
For those who prefer streaming or aren’t able to catch the TV airing, the special is also available for digital purchase through platforms like Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video. The special will also appear as part of cable-channel programming on Freeform’s annual “25 Days of Christmas” schedule.
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ returns to NBC
The 1964 original of Rudolph was produced by Rankin/Bass and uses its signature “Animagic” stop-motion animation, with a story that follows a misfit reindeer whose glowing red nose helps guide Santa’s sleigh one foggy Christmas Eve (is the song stuck in anyone else’s head?) Its return to NBC in 2025 marks the first time the special has aired on that network since 1971, reopening a chapter in its broadcast history after decades on a different home.
Critics and fans alike regard Rudolph as a cultural touchstone that helped define holiday-special television in America. Its characters, from Yukon Cornelius to Hermey the elf, Bumble the Abominable Snowman, and the Island of Misfit Toys, are recognizable to multiple generations. Over the years, different versions have been released on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats. The special’s availability across media has helped it stay accessible to families, whether they watch live TV or stream at home.
25 days of Christmas cheer
This year’s broad availability, including network broadcast, cable programming, and on-demand purchasing, offers viewers several ways to watch Rudolph, whether they stick with tradition or prefer modern convenience. For many, the 2025 airing provides a chance to share the classic with a new generation, or to revisit it with old-time warmth without needing premium subscriptions or complicated streaming setups.
Other holiday specials are making similar returns to traditional TV this year, including Frosty the Snowman, which NBC is airing twice in early December after years of shifting between cable channels and streaming platforms. Combined with Rudolph’s comeback, these broadcasts mark a noticeable move toward putting classic holiday programs back on free, accessible television for viewers who prefer scheduled airings over subscription-based streaming.
