“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is heading back to its original network home this December, marking the classic special’s second consecutive year on NBC after a decades-long absence.
The beloved stop-motion film first premiered on NBC in 1964 and remained a holiday tradition there through 1972 before moving to CBS.
After more than 50 years away, NBC regained the rights and began airing it in 2024.
The special follows Rudolph, a young reindeer who struggles to fit in because of his bright red nose. His journey takes him from feeling like an outsider to becoming the unexpected hero of Christmas Eve, guiding Santa’s sleigh through rough weather with the very trait that once made him different.
The story traces its origins to a 1930s tale created by Robert L. May. Composer Johnny Marks turned it into a hit song in the 1940s, and NBC later expanded it into the now-iconic 1964 television special filled with memorable characters and a deeper narrative. Its most quoted moment remains Santa’s famous line: “Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
The special celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024, a milestone that underscored its staying power with viewers of all ages.
NBC’s Joe Fryer spoke that year with Corinne Conley — the voice of Rudolph’s mother — who reflected on the film’s enduring place in holiday culture.
“We had no idea that we would be seeing this for 60 years afterward,” Conley told NBC’s “Today” show. “It’s nice to have been involved in something that affects people so warmly.”
How to watch ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ in 2025
NBC will air “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.
An encore presentation is set for Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.
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