This year, Charlie Browns and his “Peanuts” friends won’t be making their traditional holiday appearances before Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The rights to the long-popular holiday specials now belong to Apple TV+ under a new partnership.
This will be the first year that “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” won’t be seen on broadcast TV since its premiere on CBS in 1965 and the subsequent run on ABC since 2001. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” for Halloween followed in 1966 while “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” premiered in 1973.
On Monday, Apple TV+ made the announcement about the exclusive rights to the cartoon in a new partnership with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions.
AppleTV+ is $4.99 a month, although viewers will be able to enjoy the “Peanuts” holiday specials for free on selected days, the company said.
On October 19, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” debuted on Apple TV+ and will be available for free from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is coming to the streaming device on Nov. 18 and will be available for free from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” will premiere on Dec. 4 and will be available for free from Dec. 11 until Dec. 13.
Apple TV+ is also working on more holiday specials for Mother’s Day, Earth Day, New Year’s Eve, and back to school.