The holiday season is here and with it comes a long list of classic films to watch before Christmas begins in just a few weeks, including the longest-running holiday special yet, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The popular stop-motion animated special tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who was ostracized because he was born with a bright red nose. After leaving the house and meeting up with a ragtag team including Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the gold prospector, a horde of misfit toys, and the Abominable Snow Monster, Rudolph returns home to save Christmas by tagging along using his nose to steer Santa’s sleigh through adverse weather.
Burl Ives lent his iconic voice to the 1964 film, narrating the story as a snowman and singing the theme song “Rudolph,” which has since become a quintessential Christmas recording.
For the first time in five decades, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will air on its home network, NBC, after moving from CBS, where it has lived since the 1970s.
Here’s how to watch “Rudolph” on TV and streaming this season.
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Where can you watch “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on TV?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” moved from its usual airing spot on CBS to NBC this year. If you want to watch it the old-fashioned way, you’ll have to find your local station, tune in to NBC, and watch it there or online at NBC.com.
The popular film originally aired on NBC in 1964, but moved to CBS in 1971, where it remained for five decades until its theatrical release this year.
When is “Rudolph the Red Nose” on TV?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” airs Friday, December 6th at 8:00 PM ET/PT and Thursday, December 12th at 8:00 PM ET/PT on NBC.
It’s also part of Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” series, meaning it will air multiple times on the channel. Cable subscribers can watch the classic on Freeform on the following schedule:
December 7 at 9:10 PM ET/PT
December 8th at 6:10pm ET/PT
December 16 at 9:20pm ET/PT
December 17 at 7:55 pm ET/PT
December 21st at 6:15pm ET/PT
December 22nd at 3pm ET/PT
December 24th at 8pm ET/PT
December 25th at 11pm ET/PT
Get Apple TV+: https://apple.co/45ZP1vN
Where can you stream Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Non-cable fans aren’t out of luck: “Rudolph” will also be available to stream this holiday season.
The stop-motion classic is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Tubi TV and Pluto TV. However, you’ll have to pay to purchase the film directly on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, both of which offer it for $7.99. It is not available as part of existing paid memberships or for rent on these platforms.
You can stream it live on Tubi and Pluto as it airs on TV.
Get Amazon Prime Video: https://amzn.to/3sGJHzk
Voice actor for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.
Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman
Larry D. Mann as Yukon Cornelius and Abominable Snow Monster
Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph
Paul Soles as Hermey
Stan Francis as Santa Claus and King Moonracer
Alfie Scopp as Charlie-In-The-Box, Fireball and other reindeer
Janis Orenstein as Clarice (voice)
Paul Kligman as Donner, Clarice’s father and Comet, the trainer
Carl Banas as head elf, spotted elephant and other toys
Corinne Conley as Doll and others
Peg Dixon as Mrs. Donner, Mrs. Claus and others
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