Avid Peanuts fans can tell you that a new holiday TV tradition has been forming in recent years: Peanuts holiday specials — including A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving — no longer air on traditional broadcast television.
Many will remember that the Peanuts special aired on ABC for many years, as well as on PBS. However, digital antenna and cable watchers can no longer watch the special unless they have an Apple TV subscription.
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Apple acquired the rights to the Peanuts holiday specials several years ago and has gradually been trying to lure viewers over to the Apple TV app each holiday season. In previous years, the specials were still broadcasted on TV channels like PBS but “in partnership” with Apple. Starting in 2022, the specials were only available on Apple TV+ with a scheduled window when anyone could watch them for free.
However, that has not been the case again in recent years, and in order to watch any of the Peanuts specials, including A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, users will have to subscribe to Apple TV. There is a seven-day free trial for new subscribers.
That free trial does include access to the streamer’s entire library, including originals and some licensed content. Apple has the entire Peanuts library there, including all of the holiday specials, so subscribers can stream them year-round at their leisure. After the trial period ends, Apple TV costs $12.99 per month. You can also get the service for free for three months with the purchase of any new Apple device.
Fans may want to prepare themselves now for a similar experience when it comes to A Charlie Brown Christmas. As previously mentioned, that special also will not be airing on any broadcast or cable channels.
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