Christmas Classics Are Being Censored From Streaming

While CBS still has the rights to air these holiday specials on broadcast television, the deal does not extend to streaming services, including CBS-owned Paramount+, YouTube TV, and Hulu w/ TV. As a result, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman will be blacked out on these platforms, and viewers who want to stream them will need to wait until they are aired elsewhere.Rankin-Bass Productions was a production company known for its animated television specials and series, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. The studio was founded by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. They gained widespread recognition for their distinctive stop-motion animation and their association with classic holiday specials featuring Rudolph and Frosty.

Released in 1964, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is arguably one of the most enduring Christmas specials in animated holiday programming. It tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red nose that makes him different from the other reindeer. Despite facing ridicule and exclusion, Rudolph’s unique trait ultimately saves Christmas when his nose helps guide Santa’s sleigh through a thick fog.

The animation for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was done using a stop-motion technique called “Animagic,” which involved animating puppets frame by frame.

Released in 1969, Frosty the Snowman is based on the popular song of the same name. The animated special tells the story of Frosty, a snowman brought to life by a magic hat.

Frosty befriends a group of children, and they embark on a journey to the North Pole to save Frosty from melting. The story has become a classic Christmas tale. Like Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman also used the Animagic stop-motion technique. These specials are known for their charming characters, catchy songs, and heartwarming messages. 

The animation style in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, while simple by today’s standards, has a nostalgic and timeless quality that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. In addition to these two classics, Rankin/Bass produced many other holiday-themed specials, including Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without a Santa Claus.

Although Rudolph and Frosty will be missing,several streaming services offer a variety of holiday specials and movies. Home Alone, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Santa Clause, The Santa Clauses, The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special, Dashing Through The Snow, and The Claus Family 3 are available on Disney+.Elf, The Polar Express, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th Street are on Hulu. Netflix has The Grinch, The Best Man Holiday, Almost Christmas, This Christmas, and Callou’s Perfect Christmas. Prime Video is home to Scrooged and Best. Christmas. Ever! Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas and Frog and Toad: Christmas Eve are on AppleTV+.