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‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’: Winning New Fans Since 1964

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Tony Maples Photography

 

How many of y’all remember sitting around the T.V. set waiting for your favorite Christmas shows to come on? In Texas, as in many other states across the U.S. (and on up into Canada), American television networks had children spellbound with annual Christmas specials they almost couldn’t wait for!

On December 6, 1964, the stop-motion animated Christmas television special entitled “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” which was produced by Videocraft International, Ltd. (also known as Rankin/Bass Productions) aired on national television for the first time. Sponsored by General Electric under the title “The General Electric Fantasy Hour,” the show made its way to the NBC television network and subsequently the hearts of thousands of children throughout North America.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’: Winning New Fans Since 1964

Photo: Facebook/WKRG Rose Ann Haven

For eight years the special aired on NBC, after which it moved to CBS. In 2005, the network unveiled a digitally-remastered, high-definition version of the special, and its programming, like that of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas, was scheduled for several showings over the Christmas and holiday season on the network. However, unlike many other Christmas specials that air over a number of cable channels, Rudolph airs strictly on CBS. Due to being broadcast annually since 1964, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is the longest, continuously running holiday television special in history. Its 50th anniversary was marked in 2014, resulting in a series of U.S. postage stamps featuring the character’s likeness being issued that year on November 6. And, to this day, it continues to win new fans year after year with its lovable characters and great Christmas storyline.