Nickelodeon to Premiere SpongeBob Christmas Special
The hour-long special 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton' debuts Nov. 27 on Nickelodeon and streams on Paramount+.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Animation
Nickelodeon will premiere the hour-long animated special 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton' on Nov. 27, with the special also streaming on Paramount+ the same day. In the story, SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs and friends must save Christmas after Plankton takes over the North Pole.
Why it matters
The special gives SpongeBob SquarePants, a franchise that originally debuted in 1999, a holiday installment for U.S. viewers across both the linear network and streaming platform. Its simultaneous release on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ reflects how the network distributes its programming to audiences in the United States.
The franchise has been seen in more than 180 countries and translated into over 30 languages since its 1999 debut. The source does not provide viewership or commercial performance figures for this special.
The players
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is a children's cable and streaming network that broadcasts the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise in the United States.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is a streaming service owned by Paramount Global that carries the special on the same day as its network debut.
Tom Kenny
Tom Kenny is an American voice actor best known for voicing the title character SpongeBob SquarePants since the series' 1999 debut.
Lewis Black
Lewis Black is an American stand-up comedian and actor who guest stars as Santa in the special.
The details
The special features the voices of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley and Carolyn Lawrence, with Lewis Black guest starring as Santa. It is followed immediately by the new Patrick Star Show episode 'Snowbound! A Star Family Christmas'.
Timeline
Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. ET/PT: 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton' premieres on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.
Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. ET/PT: The Patrick Star Show Christmas episode premieres on Nickelodeon.
Industry Dynamics
The simultaneous release on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ places the special within the broader streaming-era practice of pairing linear network premieres with same-day streaming availability. The franchise's reach across more than 180 countries and over 30 languages since its 1999 debut frames this holiday installment within a long-running global property.
Viewers can watch the special on Nickelodeon or stream it on Paramount+ beginning Nov. 27. The Patrick Star Show Christmas episode follows immediately on Nickelodeon at 6 p.m. ET/PT.
The takeaway
Families who want to watch the holiday special on the day it premieres can tune in to Nickelodeon or stream it on Paramount+ on Nov. 27, with the Patrick Star Show episode airing right after.
Further reading
For more on the franchise's broader history, browse the Animation section for related coverage.
