Why the Charlie Brown holiday shows won't be on regular TV this year

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF

Every season the whole family gathers around to watch classic like "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

But sadly, in 2020 you won't find them on broadcast television for the first time in decades. Instead, they'll be exclusively available to watch on Apple TV+. But don't be sad if you don't currently have an Apple TV+ subscription. It's not all bad news!

During select dates, Apple will be offering them streamed for FREE! Here are the dates you can watch each special without an Apple TV+ account:

  • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: October 30th and November 1st
  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: November 25th - 27th
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas: December 11th - 13th

The shows will be available throughout the holiday season for people who do have an Apple TV+ account.

On the bright side, you can still watch for free and it's more flexibility to catch the shows than a single airing on regular TV. Expect you'll likely have to sign up for your free account, but that feels like a small price to pay for all these holiday classics.