I've been checking and re-checking the schedules the last few weeks - searching for the annual airing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown." Typically these two episodes air together around Halloween and just before the Election. Well, news has just been coming out (thank you for emailing that article, Jim!) that the reason we can't find Charlie Brown on ABC's schedule this year is because Apple TV+, which is a streaming service, has purchased the rights to the Peanuts Cartoons.
So... this means not only will we NOT see "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on TV, but that means "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" are gone from ABC, too. I feel like Lucy just pulled the football away - just as we were getting ready to kick it. How could ABC let this happen? I can't even imagine Christmas without Charlie Brown saying "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" And then, of course, sweet Linus responds with, "Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is about... Lights, please!" The spotlight shines on Linus center stage as he shares the story of Jesus' birth straight from the scripture Luke 2:8-14...
shepherds abiding in the fields,
keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of The Lord shone round about them,
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not, for behold,
I bring unto you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the City of David,
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel,
a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God, and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men'.
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
There's something so pure and innocent about Charlie Brown and all of the Peanuts beloved characters - Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Franklin, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, Woodstock, Snoopy, the little red-head girl and many others! I'm afraid once this wholesome message is lost yearly on TV, a whole generation of children may grow up not really knowing what Christmas is all about. This may be the only exposure some children or even some adults get to the true meaning of Christmas.
Apple TV+ is offering these cartoons free, for a limited time, but I have a feeling it's just a way to get subscribers hooked into their streaming service. According to the article from cordcuttersnews.com, Apple TV+ is planning to create new specials for our Peanuts characters centered around Mother's Day, Earth Day, etc... I sure hope they don't try to politicize these characters that we love.
I'm also hearing the Charlie Brown cartoons will not be available to stream via Amazon or elsewhere; they are truly exclusive to Apple TV+. If you want to have them forever in your home and view them over and over again whenever you wish - for years to come, the best option is to buy them on DVD. There are various options you can see below, from buying them individually or in DVD sets. I personally own a Holiday DVD Collection, myself, but I am going to make certain I own every special Peanuts Episode!
Click on the DVD's below - available on Amazon:
PLEASE NOTE: THE LINKS BELOW ARE TO MY AFFILIATE, AMAZON. When you click on this merchant link and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. This does not change the price for you. Thank you for supporting "It's a Wonderful Movie" and shopping through my site!
Peanuts Holiday Collection: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas:
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving:
A Charlie Brown Christmas:
I am so thankful we still have these DVD options, and hopefully many people will still be able to enjoy these cherished cartoon classics this holiday season and years to come!
"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
And EVERYONE who visits here! Net
Ugh! Thank you for looking that up for us, Net. I made sure to buy the holiday set for my little nephew a year or two ago. Thanks for the links! I don't get these streaming services. It's a waste of money to me.
ReplyDeleteMisty
2020 just keeps getting worse. So sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, Net! This brought tears to my eyes. Yet another attack on our religious liberty of being able to share openly about our dear Lord Jesus. I am SO sick of the bias against us, but Jesus said if they hate us, they hated Him first. One thing that really surprised me is that the family allowed them to buy these rights. I sure hope they do not defile the meaning and come out with things that the original creator would never have approved of or condoned. We are surely living in those perilous times the Word of God warned us about. God, help us all.
ReplyDeleteNO!
ReplyDeleteI have them on VHS. lol.
denise
they bwill be free on appleTV. We have a roku so we can get it. FYI: AppleTV made a Peanuts tv series this past year and it is pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThis is a shame, and I'm afraid it's a sign of what our society has become. The wholesome, classic episodes and movies will soon go and be replaced by specials that are a bunch of fluff, and don't clearly identify the reason for the season. I was watching an old show the other day and thought "This wouldn't work today because it's clean fun." I'm disappointed in the fact that so many media outlets choose to ignore what made some of these specials so great.
ReplyDeleteWell, ugh. Just ugh. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang are a staple of the holidays. It just won't be the same. And no, I have no intention of subscribing to Apple TV to see them. I will be buying the dvds. Shame on you, ABC. Some things just should not be bought and sold. :(
ReplyDeleteIt’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Won't Air on Broadcast TV But Will Stream on AppleTV+ for Free
ReplyDeleteThese aren't the only iconic holiday specials that are moving to AppleTV+
Good grief — the Charlie Brown holiday specials have found a new home!
Instead of airing on broadcast television, the Peanuts animated classics will be streaming on AppleTV+ as part of an expanded partnership with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, according to a press release.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas will be offered on the streaming platform for free for certain dates this fall and winter.
Great Pumpkin will be available for free on the streamer from October 30 to November 1, the Thanksgiving special from November 25 to 27, and the Christmas special from December 11 to 13.
But it's not just the iconic holiday specials that are moving to AppleTV+.
Original Peanuts programming surrounding Mother's Day, Earth Day, New Year's Eve and back-to-school season will also be produced by WildBrain to air on AppleTV+. Included in the programming will be The Snoopy Show and season 2 of Snoopy in Space.
The Charlie Brown holiday shows made their debut back in the 1960s on CBS and later aired on ABC. If they don't air on network TV this year, it will mark the first time in decades.
With the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prompting health experts to, advise families avoid trick-or-treating this year having a Great Pumpkin watch party could be a great opportunity to safely get into the autumn spirit.
https://people.com/health/a-doctors-guide-to-trick-or-treating-safely-this-halloween/
safely get into the autumn spirit
https://people.com/human-interest/los-angeles-county-walks-back-trick-or-treat-ban-activity-not-recommended/
advise families avoid trick-or-treating this year
https://people.com/tag/coronavirus/
ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prompting health experts
Missed this specific part of the Peanuts holiday special-Apple TV+ announcement, but one of the new Charlie Brown holiday specials being developed is a Peanuts New Year's Eve celebration.
ReplyDeleteGood grief! ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ no longer on TV
ReplyDeleteYou won’t find the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials on broadcast television this year.
The Peanuts animated classics, including “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” will stream on AppleTV+ through a deal with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, making Apple “the home for all things Peanuts,” according to a news release.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” are also included.
The holiday specials have aired annually on broadcast television since the 1960s.
Worry not, though. Families can still watch the holiday specials for free during limited windows around each holiday, Apple said.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” Halloween special will be available for free on the Apple TV+ service from Oct. 30 until Nov. 1.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will be available for free from Nov. 25 until Nov. 27 on the platform, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be available to customers for free from Dec. 11 until Dec. 13.
For more information about Apple TV+, visit apple.com/tvpr and offers.appletvapp.apple/ and see the full list of supported devices.
It is ok I already got It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown and Be My Valentine Charlie Brown on DVDS.
ReplyDeleteHi Net, thanks so much for publishing the news about the Peanuts TV specials. I'm just a grown up kid because I look forward to them just like our son did when he was a little boy. I think it's outrageous both on Apple TV and ABC's part that families will have to subscribe to Apple TV if they want to watch these iconic shows. Since Peanuts has always been on one of the three networks since the beginning it meant that children whose families couldn't afford the most expensive cable package could still watch the specials. This year, with the pandemic and the financial hardship so many families are facing the last thing folks need is another holiday disappointment. I'm a Clinical Nurse Specialist and hospitals have cable TV. The children who are patients during the holidays always love watching the Peanuts specials. I just couldn't let this go by without addressing it. So I wrote a post on Twitter pointing out the disappointment this news will be for families and children. The hashtags I used: #AppleTV #ABC #Peanuts #CharlieBrown #Greed The announcement by Apple TV was on the twitter account @Snoopy so I replied to their announcement there. I'm just passing this along in case other readers may want to post a tweet with the same hashtags and if enough of us do this, possibly Apple TV will have a promotion for the holidays (a no charge promotion) so children won't have another disappointment this season. Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteI too was dismayed to learn about this....and will have to check my old vcr's to see if I have a couple of them....another loss for children in particular....and for us all.....
ReplyDeleteThis STINKS!!!!!!! Apple TV+ just stole Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me SO sad for all of us that don't have Disney+. These sweet, childhood holiday specials are my heart's favorites and I always look forward to them every season. I'll hold out hope that ABC will come to their senses...Thank you Net and God Bless! -Susan
ReplyDeleteSo very sad. Part of the enjoyment of watching these specials, especially the Christmas episode is watching communally. Not just just watching with my family, but knowing millions are watching at the same time. To stream on-demand loses some of the magic. More importantly a new generation of first time viewers/kids will miss the very important Christmas message from Linus. So sad. May the Lord bless us all.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad! I never miss one of the Peanuts movies. Have some on VHS but now purchasing DVD's. Received my first one this morning from Amazon.
ReplyDeleteNet you put it so well. The football was jerked right out from under us! Such a shame that not even a beloved holiday special such as Peanuts can stay the same. I am so sad to hear this news. I have DVD but not the same as watching with every one who watched each year on ABC. Thank you for printing Linus telling of Jesus's birth.
ReplyDeleteMissed this specific part of the Peanuts holiday special-Apple TV+ announcement, but one of the new Charlie Brown holiday specials being developed is a Peanuts New Year's Eve celebration.
ReplyDeletePeanuts Fans Petition to Bring Charlie Brown Specials Back to Broadcast TV
ReplyDeleteFor the first time in decades, the beloved Peanuts holiday specials won't be available on broadcast television. In some shape, way, or form, both It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas have aired on either ABC or CBS for the better part of 60 years. Now, due to an exclusive rights deal with Apple, the movies will only be available on AppleTV+ moving forward — at least for the immediate future. As you might expect from an iconic franchise such as Peanuts, fans have already started to rally against the decision and now, one petition to get the movies back on cable is going viral.
As of this writing, the Change.org petition first started by Michael Nebbia has tallied just over 112,000 signatures as the masses try to convince the studios behind the property to find a way to get the movies on broadcast networks.
"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 writes in the petition's description. "It's time for us Peanutsfans to stand up to Apple and Wildbrain Studios (current owners of Peanuts) and show them they're making a mistake. With this petition, we are making a statement - the statement that #AppleHatesTradition and that the tradition of watching the Peanuts holiday specials should be renewed as soon as possible! All we have to do is sign this, send it off and share it.”
The news was first unveiled in a larger announcement from Apple and WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions first revealing the tech company is developing original shows featuring the likes of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. According to the announcement, Apple TV+ has already ordered a second season of the space-faring Snoopy in Space.
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The platform will also expand on the iconic holiday slate by introducing new specials for a whole new slew of holidays, including Mother's Day, Earth Day, New Year's Eve, and a back-to-school special. Those special will joins the previously-announced The Snoopy Show and a documentary that provides a special behind-the-scenes look at the franchise.
Great Pumpkin has already been added to the service and will be free for anyone who cares to watch between October 30th and November 1st. Then after a few weeks pass, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will be added on November 18th, and will subsequently be available for free from November 25th to November 27th.
Wow. You are so right, Net; now I know how CB feels when Lucy pulls that football away. I had a feeling this was coming and was so grateful every year that it wasn't the year, but I guess 2020, in all it's craziness, this is not surprising. God Bless, Net and thank you for all you do!!
ReplyDeleteA Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas Specials To Air on Broadcast TV After All
ReplyDeletePeanuts fans upset by the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials leaving broadcast for streaminghave no need to fear. Apple TV+ and PBS have announced a partnership to bring A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas back to broadcast in two special events. Alongside their debuts on Apple TV+, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will also air on PBS and PBS KIDS on November 22nd at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT. A Charlie Brown Christmas will air on PBS and PBS KIDS on December 13th at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT.
The holiday specials, both based on Charles Schulz's classic Peanuts comic strip, will also stream ad-free and in HD on Apple TV+. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will premiere on the service on November 18th and will be available for free from November 25 through November 27. A Charlie Brown Christmas will join the Apple TV+ streaming library on December 4th. The holiday special will be available for free from December 11 through December 13.
For the last 20 years, ABC has been the home of the beloved Peanuts holiday specials. Before that, they aired on CBS. Before this announcement, fans worried that Apple's exclusive rights to the Peanuts characters would mean the end to a holiday television tradition founded in 1965. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown debuted o Apple TV+ in October and also streamed for free for a few days near Halloween.
Apple TV+ is also the home to the ongoing animated series Snoop in Space. Apple is also producing new Charlie Brown specials that sees the characters reacting to Mother's Day, Earth Day, New Year's Eve, and the first day back at school.
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Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, select Samsung, LG, Sony, and VIZIO smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and at tv.apple.com
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America
Thank you so much for sharing this news on Charlie Brown - I am so happy to know he'll be back on local television this Christmas! Yay! I sure hope every one will be able to find him on PBS this year. I will be sure to add it to my Christmas schedule.
DeleteIt is nice they were able to work out this deal, but it's sad to see they aren't playing the Mayflower episode, which typically ran second in the hour time slot on ABC. The Mayflower story so beautifully tells the real story of the first Thanksgiving.
I am, however, most grateful to know "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be airing on TV - so the tradition remains alive... and hopefully, they will bring this meaningful special back again next year!