RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER — Pictured: (l-r) Front Row: Hermey, Rudolph, Head Elf, Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman, Santa Claus (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
NBCUniversal via Getty Images
The classic Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is back on broadcast TV this week and is available to stream as well.
A stop-motion animated TV special from iconic animation producers Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first aired on NBC-TV on Dec. 6, 1964. The tale about the reindeer with a red nose who finds friendship and acceptance of his “non-conformity” stars the voices of Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph, Paul Soles as the Hermey the elf, Larry D. Mann as the adventurer Yukon Cornelius and Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, who narrates the story.
Featuring the title song by Johnny Marks as well as other tunes, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer also stars the voices of Stan Francis as Santa Claus and King Moonracer, Janice Orenstein as Clarice, Paul Kligman as Mr. Donner and Coach Comet, Corinne Conley as Mrs. Donner and the Dolly for Sue, Alfie Scott as Charlie-in-the-Box and Fireball, and Peg Dixon as Mrs. Claus. Although he’s officially not credited, Bernard Cowan voices the Abominable Snow Monster (aka Bumble), the Spotted Elephant and Clarice’s father.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is scheduled to air on NBC on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with an encore presentation set for the same time on Thursday, Nov. 11.
The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special returned to NBC in 2024 in celebration of the special’s 60th anniversary. According to the network, NBC aired the special annually from 1964 to 1971 before moving to CBS from 1972 to 2023.
‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Is Only Available For Purchase On Streaming
While Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is airing again on NBC, it is not available on NBC Universal’s Peacock streaming platform or any other subscription streaming services.
The classic Christmas special is, however, available for purchase for $9.99 on digital streaming via video on demand on such platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube Movies & TV. In addition, physical copies of the special are available on Blu-ray and DVD through several brick-and-mortar and online retailers.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer received a 95% “fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus for the special reads, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a yule-tide gem that bursts with eye-popping iconography, a spirited soundtrack, and a heart-warming celebration of difference.”
In addition, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer earned an 84% “fresh” Popcornmeter score based on 2,500-plus verified user ratings.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is airing on NBC on Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with an encore presentation set for the same time on Dec. 11.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2025/12/04/how-to-watch-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-on-free-tv-and-streaming/
