2026 US Holiday TV Specials: Schedules, Prayer Times, and Classic Episodes
The Thanksgiving-to-New Year countdown is already shaping up, and the earliest 2026 holiday listings are appearing alongside last season's network special dates and classic sitcom episodes. For Muslim families planning to watch after the evening prayer, this guide also compiles New York prayer timings that align with the start of the holiday programming.
Early 2026 Cable and Streaming Listings
Mostly Christmas updates its Christmas TV schedule every three days; the early October 2026 edition reviewed here is already populated. The first Friday of that edition lists GAC Faith airing "A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale" at noon and "Christmas of Giving" at 2 p.m., Hallmark airing "My Grown-Up Christmas List" at 6 p.m., and Comedy running "The Office - Secret Santa" at 9 p.m. The same evening, HallFam shows "Memories of Christmas" at 6 p.m., GAC Fam airs "Journey to Christmas" at 6 p.m., and Get TV schedules "Monk - Mr Monk and the Miracle" at 7 p.m. The following night continues with GAC Faith's "Designing Christmas with You" and GAC Fam's "Christmas Keepsake."
NBC Holiday Special Dates Already Published
Boston.com's full 2025 holiday TV special schedule gives the network pattern many viewers expect to see repeated. NBC broadcast "Frosty the Snowman" for the first time in 2025 on Thursday, December 4 at 8:30 p.m. and re-aired it Tuesday, December 9 at 8 p.m.; "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" first aired Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. and re-aired Thursday, December 11 at 8 p.m. Freeform added multiple reruns through Christmas Day. NBC's holiday season lineup also featured the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the special "Wicked: One Wonderful Night," according to 9News.
Classic Sitcom Episodes and John Ritter
Classic sitcom holiday episodes are already showing up in the 2026 cable grid. Mostly Christmas lists "Mama's Family - Santa Mama" on LOGO at 8 p.m. in the same early October window, and "Monk - Mr Monk and the Miracle" on Get TV at 7 p.m. John Ritter won the Emmy and Golden Globe for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1984 for Three's Company, and his festive work remains a common holiday search. Viewers researching John Ritter's biography, filmography and Three's Company years can visit the John Ritter biography and career tribute site. That site identifies his roles in Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules; what it does not provide is current per-episode streaming availability, so checking the catalog of your own streaming service remains the most direct route.
Where to Check Legal Viewing Options
Because the 2026 broadcast dates are still incomplete, a good practice is to check a legal streaming guide before setting a recording. SpaceMov’s free streaming guide lets you search movie and TV titles and compare where they are available on Netflix, Prime, Tubi, Pluto TV and similar services; availability varies by country and account, so verify the title in your own region.
Evening Prayer Times for New York Families
For Muslim families planning to watch after maghrib, the New York timings align closely with the first prime-time holiday slots. Muslim Pro's North America/ISNA calculation for New York lists maghrib at 6:18 p.m. and isha at 7:35 p.m.; AlAdhan's calendar for the same city uses the same method and lists maghrib at 6:20 p.m. and isha at 7:35 p.m. With many specials starting at 8 p.m. or later, there is little conflict for evening viewing after sunset. For other dates or cities, check prayer times for your city.
What the 2026 Countdown Still Needs
As of now, major broadcast networks have not published their full 2026 Thanksgiving and Christmas special dates. The early cable listings and the 2025 NBC schedule provide a useful baseline; check back near each holiday for updates from the networks directly.