TV HIGHLIGHTS

The National Dog Show, 12:02 PM on Ch. 2 and Ch. 5; 9 PM on NBCSN:

Actor John O’Hurley and expert analyst David Frei return to co-host this holiday special, which has proven to be catnip (pardon the expression) for family viewers over the 20 years NBC has carried it. NBC correspondent Mary Carillo will report from backstage and inside the show ring. In the toy group, a new breed called the Biewer Terrier will be introduced to the national audience in this year’s competition, bringing the total recognized breeds to 209. Last year, a graceful Scottish Deerhound named Claire took home the Best in Show title.

World Pet Games, 8 PM on Ch. 19:

Erin Andrews and Finesse Mitchell serve as co-hosts for this unusual two-hour special for animals — and animal lovers — of all kinds. Representing nearly 20 countries from around the world, this international competition features human contestants with their incredibly diverse pets ranging from cute but familiar house cats to an armadillo, a bearded dragon and a miniature horse with a poignant back story. Competition events run the gamut from Interspecies Race and Dunk Off to

Dog High Jump and Cat Obstacle Course. Rachel Bonnetta reports from the sidelines.

Movie: The Nine Kittens of Christmas, 8 PM on HALL:

We first met fellow cat lovers Zachary Stone and Marilee White (Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad) in the delightful 2014 holiday romance “The Nine Lives of Christmas.” Now, the characters are reunited for this 2021 yuletide charmer, which finds Zachary and Marilee working together on a true labor of love: finding forever homes for a litter of adorable kittens. Gregory Harrison, Stephanie

Bennett and Nathan Witte co-star.