CBS's Relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer vs. NBC's Relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Attribute	CBS's Relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer	NBC's Relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Original Network	CBS	NBC
Year of First Airing	1964	1972
Number of Airings per Year	Multiple	Once
Length of Broadcast	1 hour	2 hours

Introduction

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a beloved Christmas classic that has been a staple of holiday programming for decades. Both CBS and NBC have had relationships with this iconic special, airing it annually to the delight of viewers young and old. However, the way each network handles their broadcast of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer differs in several key ways. In this article, we will compare and contrast the attributes of CBS's relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and NBC's relationship with the same special.

History

CBS has a long-standing relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, having first aired the special in 1964. Since then, CBS has continued to broadcast the special every year, making it a holiday tradition for many families. On the other hand, NBC's relationship with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is more recent, with the network acquiring the rights to air the special in the early 2000s. Despite this, NBC has also made Rudolph a part of their annual holiday lineup, cementing its place in the hearts of viewers.

Viewership

When it comes to viewership, CBS has a larger audience for Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer compared to NBC. This can be attributed to CBS's longer history with the special, as well as its reputation as a go-to destination for holiday programming. CBS's airing of Rudolph consistently draws in millions of viewers each year, making it one of the most-watched holiday specials on television. On the other hand, NBC's viewership for Rudolph is also strong, but tends to be slightly lower than CBS's numbers.

Advertising

Both CBS and NBC capitalize on the popularity of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by selling advertising slots during the broadcast of the special. However, CBS tends to have more high-profile advertisers and longer commercial breaks compared to NBC. This is likely due to CBS's larger viewership and longer history with Rudolph, making it a more attractive platform for advertisers. On the other hand, NBC's advertising slots during Rudolph are still in high demand, but may not command the same premium rates as CBS's slots.

Special Features

In recent years, both CBS and NBC have added special features to their broadcasts of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer to enhance the viewing experience. CBS has included behind-the-scenes interviews with the creators of the special, as well as trivia and fun facts about the making of the show. On the other hand, NBC has focused on interactive elements, such as live polls and social media integration, to engage viewers in real-time during the broadcast. These special features help to differentiate each network's airing of Rudolph and cater to different audience preferences.

Legacy

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer has left a lasting legacy on both CBS and NBC, becoming a cherished part of each network's holiday programming lineup. CBS's long history with Rudolph has solidified its place as the go-to destination for fans of the special, while NBC's more recent relationship with Rudolph has helped to introduce the classic to a new generation of viewers. Both networks continue to honor the legacy of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by airing the special annually, ensuring that it remains a beloved tradition for years to come.