With Christmas approaching in just three weeks, classic holiday specials are making their return. One standout is “Frosty the Snowman,” which will air on NBC this year after over five decades on CBS. The special, based on the 1950 song by Gene Autry, follows a magical snowman who comes to life and teams up with local kids on a race against time to reach the North Pole before the weather warms up.
In the animated film, Frosty, along with a local girl named Karen, is chased by a villainous magician who wants to steal the enchanted hat that brings Frosty to life.
The song has been re-recorded by numerous artists, but Jimmy Durante’s 1950 version became particularly iconic, especially after he narrated the 1969 animated special. Since its debut, the film has become a staple of the holiday season.
Here’s how you can catch “Frosty” on TV and through streaming this season.
Where to find ‘Frosty the Snowman’ on television
Frosty the Snowman” has transitioned to NBC this year, moving from its long-time slot on CBS. Viewers who wish to catch it the traditional way will need to locate their local NBC channel or stream it online at NBC.com.Originally debuting on CBS in 1969, “Frosty” remained with the network for fifty years until NBC acquired the rights in 2024.
When is ‘Frosty the Snowman’ scheduled to air on television
Frosty the Snowman” is set to air on NBC on Thursday, December 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and again on Wednesday, December 11, at 8:00 p.m.Additionally, it will be featured in Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” programming, allowing viewers to enjoy it multiple times on that channel. Cable subscribers can catch the beloved classic on Freeform according to the following schedule:
Here’s a fully paraphrased version of the schedule:
- December 7: Broadcast starts at 8:35 p.m. ET/PT
- December 8: Tune in at 5:35 p.m. ET/PT
- December 16: Showing begins at 8:45 p.m. ET/PT
- December 17: Airs at 7:20 p.m. ET/PT
- December 21: Scheduled for 5:40 p.m. ET/PT
- December 22: Available at 2:25 p.m. ET/PT
- December 24: Watch at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT
- December 25: Catch it at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT
Which streaming services have ‘Frosty the Snowman’ available
Non-cable viewers are in luck: “Frosty the Snowman” will be available for streaming this holiday season.
The beloved animated classic can be streamed on Hulu, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video as part of their standard subscription offerings.
Hulu’s plans begin at $9.99 per month with ads, while an ad-free option is available for $18.99 monthly. Additionally, Hulu can be bundled with Disney+, which costs $9.99 per month with ads and $15.99 without. Apple TV+ subscriptions also start at $9.99 per month, and Amazon Prime Video is available for $8.99 monthly or as part of the Amazon Prime membership at $14.99, which includes additional shopping benefits.
For those who prefer to own a physical copy, “Frosty the Snowman” can be purchased on Blu-ray for around $10 on Amazon.
Meet the Voices Behind “Frosty the Snowman”
- Jackie Vernon: Brings Frosty to life as the voice of the titular snowman.
- Jimmy Durante: Narrates the tale, guiding viewers through Frosty’s magical journey.
- Billy De Wolfe: Portrays Professor Hinkle, the magician with a hidden agenda.
- Paul Frees: Lends his voice to Santa Claus, the Traffic Cop, and other characters.
- June Foray: Provides voices for Karen (original version), children, the teacher, and more.
- Suzanne Davidson: Re-voices Karen in an updated version.
- Greg Thomas: Re-voices Karen’s friends in the re-dubbed edition.