The major broadcast networks can always count on perennial animated favorites to draw audiences during the holiday season. Millions of viewers tuned in for such classics as Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as well newer entries such as DreamWorks Animation’s CG Yule Tide comedy Shrek the Halls.
Daily Variety reports that Shrek the Halls helped give ABC a boost in the ratings with more than 11 million total viewers. Even more switched on for the Chuck Jones-directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which glued approximately 11.4 million eyes to the tube, and brought another 3.8 million to cable outlet ABC Family. The Shrek special premiered last December, roping about 21 million viewers for ABC. Time will tell if it can continue to reel in ratings year after year like its time-honored predecessors.
The king of all holiday specials, the 1964 Rankin & Bass stop-motion favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer snagged approximately 11.8 million viewers to give CBS a solid Tuesday night, led by CSI with about 17.5 million viewers. Last year, Rudolph was the most-watched show of the night it aired with about $14.3 million people tuning in.
