In 2017, holiday television offered a mix of established annual traditions and one-off festive films across U.S. networks. This guide compiles the notable Christmas specials aired in December 2017, specifying dates, channels, and availability for viewers who want to catch up or plan holiday viewing. From classic animated tales to live-action musical celebrations, the lineup reflects how broadcasters schedule festive programming to anchor seasonal traditions. Use this reference to locate past episodes, plan recordings for future holiday windows, and understand typical scheduling patterns for Christmas television.
Overview of 2017 Christmas Television Specials
During December 2017, U.S. broadcasters rolled out a range of Christmas specials spanning family-friendly animation, holiday music events, and festive narrative episodes. These programs typically aired in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, with many originals scheduled in the evenings preceding the holiday. Viewing options included linear broadcast, cable, and on-demand services, while streaming platforms added select titles in the weeks following the initial television windows. The 2017 slate illustrates how networks balance annual revivals with new holiday stories to maintain viewer engagement throughout the season.
How to Use This Guide
This guide is organized by network and daypart to help you locate specific programs, check historical air dates, and determine where older episodes are currently available. For each special, you will find the original television air date, network, and notes on reruns or streaming availability. Use these details to plan holiday movie marathons, verify episode information for discussion, or compare scheduling trends across years.
Major Broadcast Networks
National networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox anchor the holiday schedule with familiar franchises and dependable festive programming. In 2017, these lines included animated specials, musical showcases, and family-oriented episodes designed to fit within existing holiday blocks. Because these networks repeat seasonal content annually, many 2017 titles remain part of later holiday lineups, particularly on channels dedicated to seasonal themes.
NBC Holiday Programming
NBC continued its holiday tradition in 2017 with a mix of classic family shows and newer holiday content. Several animated and live-action features appeared in primetime, often serving as lead-ins to holiday movies or as standalone specials. These programs emphasized broad family appeal and frequently showcased popular comedy and drama casts in festive storylines.
CBS Seasonal Presentations
CBS scheduled holiday episodes and family films throughout December 2017, aligning with its brand of accessible, multigenerational entertainment. These presentations included both recurring comedy formats and one-off musical or family event programming designed for weekend viewing. Check local listings for precise times, as stations sometimes shift start times for holiday marathons.
ABC and Fox Festive Offerings
ABC and Fox also contributed holiday segments and specials to the 2017 season, often highlighting musical performances, family narratives, or holiday-themed competition formats. These networks complemented their core programming with one-off broadcasts intended for viewers seeking lighter holiday content.
Cable and Kids’ Channel Specials
Cable networks and children’s channels expanded the 2017 Christmas lineup with original films, holiday-themed episodes of ongoing series, and curated blocks of classic animated content. These offerings targeted younger viewers and families, frequently emphasizing themes of kindness, generosity, and festive tradition. In many cases, these programs became part of seasonal streaming bundles, increasing their availability beyond their original air dates.
Animated and Family Features
Animated holiday films and specials remained popular in 2017, with studios and networks releasing television premieres designed for family viewing. These productions often emphasized polished animation, original songs, and morals aligned with holiday messaging. Such specials were typically timed to air in the evenings and early afternoons to capture both school-day and after-school audiences.
Music and Performance Specials
Music-focused holiday programs gained visibility in 2017, featuring concerts, televised performances, and countdown-style programming. These events highlighted contemporary holiday recordings alongside classic seasonal songs, often incorporating celebrity guests, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive segments. Viewers could follow along via companion playlists and social media integrations tied to each broadcast.
Where to Watch and Replay 2017 Specials
By late 2017 and into early 2018, many Christmas specials shifted to on-demand platforms, streaming services, and local catch-up channels. Subscribers to cable and satellite providers could access recorded episodes, while over-the-top services added select titles to their holiday sections. The table below summarizes typical availability windows and formats for 2017 holiday broadcasts.
Availability Snapshot for Notable 2017 Specials
| Title or Event | Original Air Date | Network / Platform | Typical Post-Air Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC Christmas Nightline or holiday special | Early to mid-December 2017 | NBC | On demand, NBC app until end of season |
| CBS holiday movie or family special | December 2017 | CBS | CBS app, streaming platforms within weeks |
| ABC festive episode or musical event | December 2017 | ABC | On demand, Hulu where applicable |
| Special programming on cable channels | Throughout December 2017 | Various cable networks | Catch-up via network apps and VOD |
| Kids’ channel holiday feature | December 2017 | Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS | Streaming services, next-day on demand |
Planning Future Holiday Viewing
Use the 2017 schedule as a baseline for recognizing patterns in how networks roll out Christmas programming. Annual lineups often reuse successful formats, making it easier to anticipate when new holiday films and specials will appear. Mark your calendar for premiere windows and enable reminders through your streaming apps to avoid missing new releases.
Final Notes
For viewers researching past holiday programming, this guide serves as a durable reference to understand where 2017 Christmas specials aired and how they were distributed. While individual titles may rotate, the underlying scheduling strategies of networks remain consistent, helping you navigate future holiday television with confidence.
For ongoing updates about evergreen holiday content, consult network press releases, official channel listings, and trusted TV databases. This approach ensures you can find both classic favorites and new holiday additions regardless of when you choose to watch.
Tags: christmas television, 2017 holiday specials, tv schedule reference
FAQ
Reader questions
Were there new holiday movies in 2017?
Yes, networks premiered at least one original holiday film in 2017 across broadcast and cable, often debuting in December with family-friendly themes. Details varied by network; check your provider’s on-demand library for current availability.
Can I still watch these specials now?
Many 2017 specials remain accessible through on-demand services, network apps, and streaming platforms that carry seasonal content. Physical media such as DVD releases may also provide another option for specific titles.
How do local stations affect scheduling?
Local affiliates may adjust start times, replace national ads with regional promotions, or delay broadcasts due to breaking news or extended sports coverage. Verify locally listed times for precise viewing information.