For the first time since 1965, all of the classic “Peanuts” Charlie Brown holiday specials will be pulled from television broadcasts.
On Monday, Apple TV+ announced its exclusive rights to the cartoon in a new partnership with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions.
As such, the classic titles including “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will stream exclusively on Apple TV after decades of airing on CBS and ABC.
This will be the first time that the “Peanuts” oldest special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” won’t be viewed on television broadcast since its original premiere on CBS in 1965. It has subsequently aired on ABC since 2001.
Additionally, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” for Halloween followed in 1966 and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” premiered in 1973.
Apple TV+ currently starts at $4.99 per month. It’s not all bad news, though. The streaming service will still be offering free viewing windows for non-subscribers.
The Halloween special is currently available for Apple TV+ subscribers and will air for free from Oct. 30 until Nov. 1. Similarly, the Thanksgiving special will be available to stream for subscribers beginning Nov. 18 and will be offered for free Nov. 25-27.
The same thing can be said for the iconic 1965 Christmas special, which will stream exclusively on Apple TV+ beginning on Dec. 4. However, its window for free viewing will run a bit earlier than Christmas, Dec. 11-13.
Charlie Brown Fans on Twitter React
Loyal “Peanuts” fans are rightfully upset by the news of the classics being cut from TV broadcasts. Even Jimmy Fallon made light of the news on “The Tonight Show.”
The new streaming partnership is likely to leave some low-income children deprived of the classic series. One Twitter account compared the situation to one of the most iconic moments in the show’s history.
Meanwhile, other fans of the series expressed their frustrations on Twitter as well.
So this is why ABC hasn’t aired it and doesn’t have it listed for the rest of October. I understand streaming competition, but some traditions like this should NOT be broken! pic.twitter.com/PaqQQ9dspx
— 👻 Joe Schiavi 🎃 (@ScoundrelPrez) October 19, 2020
Wait?!?! It won’t be on ABC this year? This sucks! Why are they breaking tradition!! 😡
— Chad Miller/ Give Last Man Standing 200th Episode (@AllenRocks7) October 19, 2020
