The most wonderful time of the year brings with it an annual abundance of classic holiday TV specials. This year, 3 of the big 4 networks added new specials:
“OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE” (ABC) – This 22-minute “Frozen” follow-up featuring 4 new songs performed by the returning cast of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad was originally made simply as a TV special. But over the summer, Disney decided they would screen it in theaters before showings of Pixar’s “Coco”. Well, that didn’t go so well. The studio received backlash from audiences, who were confused and outraged by the decision.
Thankfully, ABC decided to then air it twice once it left theaters – with the first airing bringing-in 5.7 million viewers. “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” is very well done – filled with humor, heart and great music.
“TROLLS HOLIDAY” (NBC) – A little over a year after “Trolls” was released in theaters, DreamWorks made this high-flying special, with Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake back as Poppy and Branch. Just like the movie, “Trolls Holiday” is edgy and entertaining, and 5.4 million people watched its debut airing the night after Thanksgiving.
“MICHAEL JACKSON’S HALLOWEEN” (CBS) – Yes, the holiday special season actually begins with Halloween, and a new, CGI, one-hour special featuring the music, and CG version, of The King of Pop aired to 5.7 million viewers this October. Social media was buzzing when the CG MJ appeared and started doing the Thriller dance near the end of the special.
So, how did the 5 Christmas Classics do this year? No surprise that “Rudolph” (CBS) came-out on top with 8.1 million viewers, though that’s down 14% from last year. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (ABC) followed with 6.5 million, then “The Grinch” (NBC) with 5.8M, “Frosty” (CBS) with 4M and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (ABC) with 3.4M – even with last year.
Here’s the official ranking chart for the first airings of each of this year’s Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving primetime specials on the 5 major networks: ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX and NBC (as of Dec. 20):
1. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (CBS) 8.1 million
2. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (ABC) 6.7M
3. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (ABC) 6.5M
4. “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (ABC) 6M
5. “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC) 5.8M
6. “Michael Jackson’s Halloween” (CBS) 5.7M
7. “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” (ABC) 5.7M
8. “Trolls Holiday” (NBC) 5.4M
9. “Toy Story of Terror” (ABC) 4.7M
10. “Shrek the Halls” (ABC) 4.5M
11. “Prep & Landing” (ABC) 4.1M
12. “Frosty the Snowman” (CBS) 4M
13. “Toy Story That Time Forgot” (ABC) 3.7M
14. “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (ABC) 3.4M
15. “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” (ABC) 3.4M
16. “Frosty Returns” (CBS) 2.9M
17. “Robbie the Reindeer No. 1” (CBS) 2.8M
18. “I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown” (ABC) 2.5M
19. “Robbie the Reindeer No. 2” (CBS) 2.1M
20. “The Story of Santa Claus” (CBS) 2M
21. “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” (FOX) 1.3M
22. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (The CW) 1.3M