Rudolph moves to NBC this year, bringing new broadcast times and shifting how you plan your holiday viewing tradition.

The stop-motion classic first aired on NBC in 1964, and it’s just as beloved more than six decades later, thanks to its heartfelt message and charming animation. In 1971, Yukon Cornelius and the misfit toys made the jump over to CBS, where it remained for more than 50 years. Now, for the first time in 50 years, it’s back on NBC.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” tells the heartwarming story of a shy reindeer who becomes the leader of Santa’s sleigh pack thanks to the very thing — his glowing red nose — that once made him an outcast.

NBC, which first aired the holiday classic on Dec. 6, 1964, continues the tradition with a Friday showing. Here's how to watch the film if you miss it this week.

Rudolph will air on NBC on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is on NBC at 8 p.m. Last year the cartoon was a huge part of Freeform's 25 days of Christmas. This year, the schedule hasn't been released yet. But it's likely the cartoon will once again be featured.

After Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Willy McBean and His Magic Machine, Larry D. Mann left Canada for Hollywood and got a good agent, who immediately got him guest spots on Hogan’s Heroes, Bewitched and The Green Hornet. He was somewhat bitter over what happened with Rudolph, as were some of the other Canadian actors.

The holiday season wouldn’t feel complete without the glow of Rudolph’s famous red nose lighting up our screens. The beloved 1964 Rankin/Bass stop-motion classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” returns to NBC today (Friday, Dec. 5) at 8 p.m. Eastern with an encore showing on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern as part of the network’s festive lineup.

WASHINGTON — “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is back on NBC this holiday season. The classic animated special returned to the network for the first time in five decades last year. It first premiered on NBC in 1964. The Rankin-Bass claymation holiday special will air on NBC on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

What time is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on tonight? The NBC Christmas special will air in an extended format tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Will Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer be on Peacock? While the classic claymation Christmas special will finally return to ...

Anna Davlantes, WGN Radio’s investigative correspondent, joins Bob Sirott to share what happened this week in Chicago history. Stories include six touchdowns in one game from Gale Sayers, the

Kelly is a mom who loves to cook, bake, play music, and write. She has a BS in Special Education and is a former teacher turned professional writer and began with a personal organic parenting blog. This transitioned into writing SEO blogs for a variety of ...