I too purchased a digital copy so I can watch whenever I want. This was my favorite as a kid along with Charlie Brown Christmas, which has now been lost to Apple TV. While I wasn't able to catch the initial broadcast in recent years, I typically caught the encore airing CBS did on the second Saturday of December. I didn't know NBC was the original home, and I also presumed the version that was airing on CBS was the extended version as I don't recall the "Santa's Elves" number being performed when I was a kid.

I have disc, digital and I also subscribe to Apple TV+ so I still have access to all the Charlie Brown specials. I watch the 3 big ones (and Easter too) every year.

If you have either an Apple TV or something that gives you their app... the Charlie Brown Christmas special is free (no ATV+ sub needed) on Dec 14th and 15th.

A few years ago got the Peanuts Holiday special on 4k so I can watch whenever.

Maybe it would never happen if NBC could create a new Rudolph Rankin and Bass special since they got the rights?

Why?

This one exists, and it is a timeless classic.

They already tried a sequel, ten years later, with "Shiny New Year" and it does not match the simple charm of the 60s original.

This 2001 sequel is horrible

Hollywood remakes and reboot every movie and TV show so why not maybe do some additional specials.