Charlie Brown’ Thanksgiving, Christmas Specials to Air on Broadcast TV After All

There was an outcry last month after it was revealed that Apple TV+ had acquired the rights to the classic Peanuts TV specials and that they wouldn’t be airing on broadcast TV for the first time in 55 years. Apple said it would let people stream them for free for a few days around the holidays, but that didn’t tamp down the backlash. So Apple has now given in, announcing yesterday (November 18th) that it had joined with PBS for ad-free broadcasts of the beloved shows. It was too late for It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to be shown on TV before Halloween, but PBS will air A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on November 22nd and A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 13th. They will be still also be available to stream for free on Apple TV+ during three-day windows from November 25 to 27th for Thanksgiving, and December 11th to 13th for Christmas.

YOUR TURN:

• What do you think of Apple TV+ giving in and letting the Peanuts holiday shows air on PBS?
• Do you agree with the critics who said that even though Apple TV+ was offering free streaming, the shows should also be shown on broadcast TV? Why/Why not?
• Of the five major Charlie Brown holiday specials — which also include It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown and Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown — which is your favorite?
• If you watched these specials when you were a kid and now have kids yourself, do you still enjoy watching them with your children?