Thousands of angry fans banded together after Apple removed Charlie Brown holiday movies from TV. On Change.org, fans have signed a petition to bring the special back to broadcast. So far, over 138,000 people have signed their signature.
Last week, Apple announced the specials would be moving to its streaming service Apple TV+. The company acquired the rights, and it wouldn’t be airing on TV networks this year. The three specials It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving have become a viewing tradition for many families.
According to an Apple TV press release, the streaming service will allow viewers to watch the specials for free for a limited time. The service normally costs $4.99, but people can stream the Halloween special for free between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. The other two specials will also be offered for a limited time viewing.
The Petition Called For ‘Charlie Brown’ Fans to Unite
Michael Nebbia, a fan of the program, started the petition. In the description for the petition, Nebbia called for Peanuts fans across the world to unite.
“For over 50 years, we have celebrated the holidays with the airings of the Peanuts holiday specials on TV – first on CBS, then on ABC,” Nebbia wrote. “To our shock and dismay, last night it was announced that Apple had swiped the football from us and claimed the specials for their Apple TV platform, leaving us devoted fans who have grown up with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang in the dark, unable to watch.”
Nebbia said he refused to let a corporation like Apple “take the football away.”
“Obviously, we can’t let this stand. We can not let Apple take the football away from us like Lucy always does to Charlie Brown!” Nebbia continued. “It’s time for us Peanuts fans to stand up to Apple and Wildbrain Studios (current owners of Peanuts) and show them they’re making a mistake.”
