CBS Announces Very Merry Holiday Programming!

CBS's holiday programming this year will be highlighted by the 50th anniversary celebration of the perennial favorite RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. The festive season, which kicks off with THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS, will also include festive specials and beloved animated classics.

Music-laden specials include the new entertainment special A VERY GRAMMY CHRISTMAS, with performances by singer/songwriter Ariana Grande, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning group Maroon 5, three-time GRAMMY Award winner Tim McGraw and seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Pharrell Williams; THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW, featuring the world-famous VS angels; and THE 37th ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

In addition to RUDOLPH and FROSTY's annual visits are encore broadcasts of the animated holiday specials THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, FROSTY RETURNS, THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS and YES, VIRGINIA.

Following is the schedule for CBS's Holiday Programming:

Thursday, Nov. 27:

THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS (9:00 AM-Noon, Live ET; 7:00 AM-10:00 AM, Live MT; 9:00 AM-Noon, Delayed PT)

"Entertainment Tonight's" Kevin Frazier and "The Insider's" Thea Andrews will anchor what is now a CBS Thanksgiving tradition in its 54th year, which will feature portions of the 87th Annual MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE live from New York City. The parade will include musical performances by the Broadway casts of "Matilda" and "Pippin."

Friday, Nov. 28:

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT)

Frosty, that "jolly, happy soul" whose old SILK hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Narrated by Jimmy Durante, the special also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon (as Frosty) and Billy De Wolfe (as Professor Hinkle). (Rebroadcast)

YES, VIRGINIA (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

This animated special is based on the 1897 true story of Virginia O'Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl who inspired the most famous newspaper editorial of all time by asking "Is there a Santa Claus?" Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Alfred Molina voice key characters. Beatrice Miller voices the role of Virginia. (Rebroadcast)

Saturday, Nov. 29:

THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)

An animated holiday special about a young reindeer with ambitions of becoming an expert flyer like his father, features the voices of Emma Roberts and comedian Norm MacDonald. (Rebroadcast)

THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

An animated musical holiday special featuring the voices of Edward Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry, the story revolves around a gentle toymaker whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas. (Rebroadcast)

Friday, Dec. 5:

A VERY GRAMMY CHRISTMAS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

Singer/songwriter Ariana Grande, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning group Maroon 5,

three-time GRAMMY Award winner Tim McGraw and seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Pharrell Williams will perform on this new one-hour entertainment special. Also, the nominees for Album of the Year will be announced.

Sunday, Dec. 7:

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) - Features two back-to-back classic episodes of the 1950s series, including the seldom-seen "Christmas Episode," and an all-new colorized version of "Job Switching" (a.k.a. "Chocolate Factory"). Both were colorized with a vintage look, a nod to the 1950s period in which the shows were filmed. The main titles and end credits of the two episodes are seamlessly combined into one set-at the beginning and end of the hour, with no interruption between the episodes. (Rebroadcast)

Tuesday, Dec. 9:

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)

The classic holiday special celebrates its 50th anniversary! Narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as THE VOICE of Sam the Snowman, this favorite is a music story based on the popular song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all of Christmasville. (Rebroadcast)

THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)

This year's show from across the pond in London will feature world-famous Victoria's Secret Angels Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Behati Prinsloo, Karlie Kloss and LINDSAY Ellingson. The show, which merges fashion, fantasy and entertainment into a runway spectacle, will be seen in approximately 200 countries, and include musical performances, pink carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the MAKING OF the world's most celebrated fashion show.

Saturday, Dec. 13:

FROSTY RETURNS (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

The magic still in his old SILK hat, the holiday season's perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventure and skates on the edge of danger. Jonathan Winters is the narrator with John Goodman as THE VOICE of Frosty. (Rebroadcast)

Friday, Dec. 19:

A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

The special tells touching stories about adoption from foster care to raise awareness for this important social issue. Inspirational stories of families are enhanced with performances by some of today's most popular artists.

Tuesday, Dec. 30:

THE 37TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)

Singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting and comedienne Lily Tomlin will receive honors. Seated with President and Mrs. Obama, the Honorees will accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes.


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