Global network
"Care Bears Nutcracker Suite" was originally planned for a theatrical release, but premiered on home video and television instead. The special debuted on the U.S. premium cable network The Disney Channel on December 10, 1988. In Canada, it aired commercial-free on the Global network on December 25, as part of the regular "Care Bears" series. The special was shown likewise on Malaysia's TV3 in December 1989.