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Where are Rudolph and Frosty? Classic Christmas Specials Blocked on Live TV Streaming Services

Ben Bowman
Ben Bowman is the Content Director of The Streamable. He cut the cord in 2009. He roots for all Detroit sports and is a fan of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, Paul Thomas Anderson, Billy Wilder, Buster Keaton, and the Coen Brothers. Ben streams on an Apple TV.
Read full bio ›
Ben Bowman

Every year, families look forward to being able to watch the 1964 stop-motion classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the 1969 animated special “Frosty the Snowman.” And every year, users of Live TV Streaming Services like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo encounter a nasty message when they try to watch: “This Program Is Unavailable For Streaming On The Internet”

With “Rudolph” making his return tonight (November 27) on CBS, you’re going to run into this error if you have a live TV streamer.

What’s going on?

While they have the broadcast rights, CBS doesn’t have the rights to stream Rudolph or Frosty online, even though cable or antenna viewers would be able to see the special without trouble. To see these classics legally, you’d need to buy them from a digital store like Amazon Prime Video. You will also likely run into blackouts with “Frosty the Snowman Returns” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” In some cases you may be able to watch these specials on Freeform, but it may depend on your service provider.

Another option to watch live is to grab an antenna. That’s a good idea to have as a backup in case of carriage disputes or internet outages. Here are a couple of antennas we recommend.

Mohu Leaf 30

Up to 30 Mile Range

Mohu Leaf 50

Up to 60 Mile Range

Finding your favorite Christmas classic can be a headache as these movies switch from streaming service to streaming service. To find your online viewing options, just type your favorite title into the search box above or see The Streamable’s Guide to Streaming the Best Christmas Movies of All Time.

If you’re looking for your best streaming options across specific platforms, we have some suggestions as well.

Ben Bowman
Ben Bowman is the Content Director of The Streamable. He cut the cord in 2009. He roots for all Detroit sports and is a fan of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, Paul Thomas Anderson, Billy Wilder, Buster Keaton, and the Coen Brothers. Ben streams on an Apple TV.
Read full bio ›
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  • Only valid once per household.
  • You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
  • You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
  • You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
  • Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.