FREEFORM PRESS RELEASE:
IN FIRST-EVER CABLE DEBUT BELOVED HOLIDAY CLASSICS 'FROSTY THE SNOWMAN' AND 'RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER' TO AIR ON FREEFORM
Fan-Favorite Rankin Bass Holiday Classics Return to '25 Days of Christmas'
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| image: Rankin Bass |
For the first time ever on cable, the beloved holiday classics "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" will air on Freeform during this year's "25 Days of Christmas" programming event. From the Rankin Bass classic holiday library, the two iconic films will join other titles including "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," "The Little Drummer Boy" and more for the merriest time of year.
FREEFORM ANNOUNCES EPIC NEW ORIGINAL COMPETITION SERIES 'WRAP BATTLE' SHOWCASING THE MOST OVER-THE-TOP HOLIDAY GIFT WRAPPING SKILLS
In a holiday series showdown like no other, "Wrap Battle" will put the most gifted DIY-ers to the test. In the elimination gift-wrapping competition, contestants battle it out to deliver amazing results in different challenges in every episode, with each vying to win $50,000. Get your scissors and two-sided tape ready, let's get wrapping! "Wrap Battle" is executive produced by Michael Levitt ("Hocus Pocus 25th Halloween Anniversary Bash").
About Freeform
Freeform connects to audiences and goes beyond entertainment with bold, original programming and immersive social engagement. As Disney's young adult television and streaming network, it delivers a unique mix of quality original and acquired series, plus fan-favorite movies and the holiday events "31 Nights of Halloween," "Kickoff to Christmas" and "25 Days of Christmas." The Freeform app is a service that allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access via a wide array of devices.
I wonder if that means rudolph and frosty no longer on CBS
ReplyDeleteIs it possible they both own the rights to air these cartoons? I'm not sure. Like I mentioned above, AMC purchased the rights from Freeform last year to many Rankin Bass Christmas cartoons, which Freeform, as of 2018, could no longer play.
DeleteIf it were ABC, I would say - definitely yes, it will still air in Prime Time, but that's because ABC and Freeform are both tied in together as property of Walt Disney Television. CBS is owned by another distribution company - Paramount Domestic Television and King World Productions.
I'm not 100% sure how it works, but it doesn't sound like they will be staying on CBS to me.
I love the Rankin Bass specials! I wonder if CBS will still be airing Rudolph and Frosty though? It's such a tradition for me to watch them on Prime time every year!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather! I would love it if CBS could keep Rudolph & Frosty, too! Perhaps some deal was made between the two networks??? I'm just as curious as all of you are to get answers on this!
DeleteThere are certain sitcoms in syndication that we see on various networks, so maybe it is possible they both have purchased rights to air it! Let's hope! :)
I'm with you, Jim, on this - as I'm also having mixed feelings on the future of Rudolph and Frosty. Freeform does play some nice family movies from the past, from time to time, but their newer content is nowhere near family friendly.
ReplyDeleteNOT having these classic Christmas cartoons air in Prime Time on CBS this Christmas will be a huge void for the network, in my opinion. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman have been a regular occurrence on CBS for years, like family. It will be strange to see them elsewhere. Frankly, I agree with you, this doesn't feel like an upgrade. However, you're right, perhaps they will be played more often and that is a good thing.
Last year, AMC held the rights to many of the Rankin Bass cartoons from Freeform, so we'll have to see who has what this year.
Guess we shall see how this goes...
Oh, and I agree, Jim... it's great to see Rudy in May!!! :)
Blessings! Net
Net & Jim, I thought the same thing when I read this post. Not having Rudolph or Frosty air on CBS is just not right. They have been airing those cartoons for over 40 years...why stop now???
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Joyce! It really won't be the same without them there. And, then you wonder, what they will replace it with. Another reality show? Crime drama? It seems the holiday themed programming is disappearing more and more from network TV.
ReplyDeleteI bet you see them on CBS black Friday weekend then freeform.
ReplyDeleteI could totally see that happening, tvh! :)
DeleteI did some sleuthing, but unfortunately have come up empty-handed. It is a fact that Rudolph and Frosty were the only two Rankin Bass cartoons that were part of Dream Works Classics, a division of Dream Works Animation, that was bought by NBC Universal in 2016. (NBC Universal wanted to own the rights to the Frosty and Rudolph specials so that they could open exhibits of these characters at Universal Studios.) There must have been an an agreement (contract) between NBC Universal and the parent company of CBS these past few years which allowed CBS to continue showing the cartoons, and now I'm guessing there is a new agreement between NBC Universal and Disney (the parent of ABC) which will allow Freeform to show the cartoons. Again, I'm just guessing, but I don't see how else this could work. In any event, chances are only Freeform will be showing these cartoons this year.
ReplyDeleteOkay, time to take my Sherlock hat off. Too hot to wear anyway! :)
Hey "Sherlock" Mark... Thanks so much for joining in this investigation. It looks like your initial hunch on both networks sharing the cartoons was spot on!
DeleteOur good friend, Jim, has solved this case (see comment above^), and it's good news! Looks like we'll be able to watch Frosty and Rudolph in both places this year! YAY!!! :)
Aww Mark, you can put that hat back on for some more fun sleuthing!! Great job!
DeleteThat is AWESOME NEWS, Jim!!! Way to go - for finding that scoop! I sure wish they had included that "little detail"'(haha) in the press release above, but I guess Freeform didn't want to remind people they could also see Rudolph and Frosty in their usual place- on CBS.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this tradition remains! Thank you so much for finding and sharing this info! :)
I’d like to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on CBS
ReplyDeleteGreat sleuthing Jim! Such great news!!
ReplyDeleteJim, you are a better sleuth than I! WTG!!
ReplyDeleteMark 25
One of the highlights of my kid-dom was hearing the CBS Special Presentation drums and horns... you knew something BIG was coming up.
ReplyDeleteHere's an intro for Rudolph featuring the special alert - https://youtu.be/nfT2mw3-QPA?t=14
I wish that a complete Rankin-Bass collection would become available on DVD. Christmas, Easter, New Years, etc. - every special in a box set.