It’s not Christmastime until we see the most famous reindeer of all. “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” will start airing on TV soon, and families have multiple chances to watch it.

The first December airing of “Rudolph” will be available on CBS. The one-hour claymation special will start at 8 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 2.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will also be played on Freeform this year as a part of the network’s 25 Days of Christmas event. It premieres on the network on Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:30 p.m. EST, right after “Frosty the Snowman.”

Since Freeform’s event is most of the month, the special will air more than once. There are airings as early as 1:25 p.m., so even kids with the earliest bedtimes can get a chance to see Rudolph help Santa. See all the 2019 air times for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” below:

  • Monday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. on CBS
  • Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:30 p.m. on Freeform
  • Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6:45 p.m. on Freeform
  • Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:15 p.m. on Freeform
  • Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1:25 p.m. on Freeform
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 8:50 p.m. on Freeform
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 3:40 p.m. on Freeform

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” first debuted in 1964 and is based on the song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It follows the story of a reindeer, Rudolph, who is bullied by everyone in Christmasville for having a red nose. However, one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa Claus realizes he could use Rudolph’s help.

The movie has been enormously popular for over 50 years. Two direct sequels were made, “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (1976) and “Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July” (1979). The late Billie Mae Richards voiced the character in all three original films.

There have been a few remake/revival attempts. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie” was a 2-D animated movie released in 1999 that was successful enough to warrant a sequel, the CGI-animated “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” in 2001. However, nothing is quite as beloved as the original TV special.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer air date
"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" airs throughout December on CBS and Freeform. NBCUniversal
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