Good Grief! Charlie Brown Specials Won’t Be On TV In 2020!

Yet another disappointment, that's right on par for 2020.  The Charlie Brown holiday specials, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will not air on CBS or ABC like they have for many, many years.  According to an article on Fox News, the beloved holiday specials will move to Apple TV+ ending a tradition on both national channels.

That's because the rights now belong to Apple TV+ under a new partnership.  So, in case you're wondering how long the Charlie Brown specials having been airing on these networks?  The oldest holiday special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," premiered way back in 1965 and had another run on ABC that started in 2001.  "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" for Halloween was next in 1966 and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" debuted in 1973.

I have very fond memories of all of these specials as I was growing up.  The Halloween special seemed to kick off the holiday season and was probably my favorite.  After a day of turkey and football, Thanksgiving wasn't complete without Charlie Brown and same with Christmas.

Charles M. Schulz of course has regional roots.  He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and there are tributes all over Minnesota for him.  You might remember Camp Snoopy, that used to be in Mall of America, which eventually set up camp at Valley Fair in Shakopee, Minnesota.  He's a local legend in Minnesota, right up there with Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox.

Incase you're wondering how much Apple TV+ is a month, it's $4.99 a month, although viewers will be able to enjoy the "Peanuts" holiday specials for free on certain days, according to the article.  It's safe to say I was a little bummed when I heard the news it was no longer on the free networks.  I feel like part of my childhood died.