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For the first time in around 50 years, the classic Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has returned to NBC. The stop-motion animated TV special originally aired on December 6, 1964, and has become a traditional holiday broadcast in the past six decades.
The holiday special's inception has an interesting history, dating back to the 1930s. It derives inspiration from the 1949 Johnny Marks song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which was based on Robert L. May's 1939 poem of the same name.
The show was a part of NBC's Christmas lineup until 1971 and moved to CBS from 1972 to 2023. It is back on NBC after a long time in 2024, and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the show, NBC aired a special 75-minute edition on December 6, 2024.
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Read along for more details on the classic holiday special.
What is the runtime of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
As stated, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will have a 75-minute special run this December to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the holiday special. The original show had a runtime of 55 minutes and has undergone multiple alterations over the years.
The 2024 NBC run will restore most of the deleted scenes from the original cut, including the famous 'Peppermint Mine' scene of Yukon Cornelius. Another holiday favorite, Frosty the Snowman is also making its comeback on NBC this year.
Plot Summary
The animated movie follows the story of Rudolph, a reindeer born with a glowing red nose. Since childhood, Rudolph was bullied for being different which eventually made him run away from home. On his adventure, he befriended Hermey (an elf who wants to be a dentist) and Yukon Cornelius (a prospector).
Together, the trio discovered the Island of Misfit Toys, a place where unloved toys live. Through a series of events involving an abominable Snow Monster, Rudolph eventually returned to the North Pole. There, with the help of his unique nose, Rudolph saved Christmas by guiding Santa's sleigh through a storm to deliver gifts to children.
The show is narrated by veteran musician and actor Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, and his rendition of A Holly Jolly Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has become a holiday staple over the years.
When will Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer air on TV?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will air on NBC on Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This is not its only scheduled broadcast on NBC, airing again as an encore on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Since, 2019, the cable channel Freeform also airs the special as part of its annual 25 Days of Christmas lineup. The broadcast schedule for the show on Freeform is as follows -
Where can we watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
The stop-motion classic will air on NBC and Freeform on the dates and times mentioned above. It is also available on various streaming platforms, but it cannot be accessed with a regular subscription.
On Amazon Prime and Apple TV, the special is available with a pay-to-purchase option for $7.99. It is also available for purchase on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Fandango At Home, and the Microsoft Store.
The show remains the longest-running Christmas special, airing annually during the holiday season. It has inspired various adaptations, sequels, and merchandise. The show was created by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment, formerly known as Videocraft International, Ltd.
Catch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on NBC this Christmas season.
