Charlie Brown Holiday Specials Won't Air On Network TV This Year

Charlie Brown’s beloved holiday specials won’t run on network TV this year, because 2020

In a year that hasn’t exactly been kind, you really look forward to life’s little pleasures. And we can probably all agree that one of the simplest, yet most enjoyable activities of the holiday season is curling up on the couch with your loved ones to watch the Charlie Brown TV specials.

However, you’re going to have to adjust your viewing habits, because sentimental favorites like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will no longer air on network TV… starting this year (of course).

For the first time in nearly six decades, this trifecta of classics — one for Halloween, one for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas — is bypassing broadcast television. Why? On Tuesday, Apple TV+ announced via press release that it earned streaming rights for the specials as part of a deal with Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions.

Of course, the silver lining here is that you can still watch the movies. You may just have to add another streaming subscription to your rotation. Having said that, Apple TV+ also revealed that they’ll make the beloved Charlie Brown specials free to view for a limited time.

In fact, you can already watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966). If you don’t have a membership, you can stream it for free from Oct. 30 until Nov. 1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) makes its way to the streamer on Nov. 18 and will be available for free from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27. And, finally, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) will make its way to Apple TV+ on Dec. 4. You’ll be able to enjoy it for free from Dec. 11 until Dec. 13.

That isn’t the only good news they dropped either. New animated Peanuts originals featuring Charlie, Snoopy, and the gang are on the way, including a second season of the super-fun (not to mention Emmy-nominated) series Snoopy in Space. Oh, and new specials, too — for Mother’s Day, Earth Day, New Year’s Eve, and going back to school.

So, really, it’s more good news than bad. Just different! Plus, if all of this sounds too good to pass up, an Apple TV+ subscription will only set you back $4.99 per month. And right now Apple is running a promo where customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch score one year of Apple TV+ for free.