NBC Brings Back Frosty the Snowman — A Cozy Comeback for Holiday TV in 2025

NBC is giving audiences a welcome blast of nostalgia this year with the return of Frosty the Snowman, the beloved 1969 Rankin/Bass classic. The animated favorite is set to air Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. EST, with a second broadcast on Tuesday, December 9 at 8 p.m. EST.

In an era when most holiday specials have slipped into the world of streaming subscriptions and scattered cable rotations, Frosty’s return to free network TV feels like a small Christmas miracle. Fans who miss the days of gathering around the living room TV—no apps, no logins—can finally enjoy Frosty the old-fashioned way.

But Frosty isn’t coming alone.

NBC is also rolling out a full lineup of holiday icons this December.

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Airing Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. EST, with a repeat on December 11 at 8 p.m.

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 animated classic): Airing Thursday, December 4 at 8 p.m., plus a special repeat on Christmas Day at 8 p.m.

And for anyone who misses these network showings, many of the specials will still be available across cable channels and streaming platforms, depending on their ever-shifting licensing deals.

Why This Return Matters

For decades, Frosty—narrated by Jimmy Durante—was a staple of December TV, a warm, comforting tradition shared across generations. But in recent years, changing rights agreements pushed many Rankin/Bass specials out of the prime-time spotlight. Some disappeared completely from broadcast schedules, making this year’s NBC return especially meaningful for longtime fans.

As Christmas trees and lights seem to be going up earlier than ever in households across the country, the return of these classics to network television adds an unmistakable nostalgic glow to the season.

Mark Your Calendar

If you’re hoping to revisit Frosty—or introduce him to kids and grandkids for the very first time—you’ll have two chances on NBC: December 4 and December 9. And with additional classics returning as well, 2025 is shaping up to be a rare mix of traditional broadcast charm and modern streaming convenience.

In a time when even the Peanuts specials require detective-level skills to locate each year, it’s refreshing to see a few holiday legends return to the simplicity of network TV.