Rating the holiday specials: ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ a hit

Rudolph’s the man for TV audience

NEW YORK — When it comes to holiday TV traditions, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has it all over the Grinch, a Rockefeller Center tree lighting and half-naked women selling lingerie.

The Nielsen Co. says the annual TV return of Rudolph on CBS last week was seen by 10.6 million people. That beat “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on ABC by more than a million and a half viewers.

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC had 8.7 million viewers, and the annual Victoria’s Secet fashion show had 8 million on CBS.

The Grammy Awards may want to rethink its strategy of a prime-time nomination special. It was a relative dud, with only 6.3 million viewers.