Following Protests, Apple to Allow Peanuts Specials to Air on PBS

Peanuts specials "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will air on broadcast TV after all, with Apple planning to provide them ad-free on PBS and PBS Kids on November 22, 2020 and December 13, 2020, respectively.

charlie brown thanksgiving image
Apple's decision to air the specials on PBS comes following a petition from Peanuts fans unhappy with Apple gaining rights to the Peanuts content through its partnership with Wildbrain. The petition ultimately garnered more than 250,000 signatures.

Apple had planned to provide access to the specials for free through the Apple TV app, but petitioners called on the Cupertino company to bring the specials back to traditional broadcast television. Those who want to watch the Peanuts specials on television instead of through the ‌Apple TV‌ app will now be able to do so on select dates.

"Peanuts" fans will have even more ways to watch Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang on their holiday adventures as Apple and PBS team up for special ad-free broadcasts of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." To complement their release on Apple TV+ this holiday season, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" will also air on PBS and PBS KIDS on November 22, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will air on PBS and PBS KIDS on December 13, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT.

Apple also plans to stream the Peanuts specials ad-free on ‌Apple TV‌. Apple will air "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" starting on November 18, and it will be free for everyone from November 25 to November 27.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" will be available on ‌Apple TV‌+ starting on December 4, and it will be free to watch from December 11 to December 13.

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Top Rated Comments

Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) Avatar
61 months ago

There are actually plenty who can’t afford internet at all. Get out of your bubble/
These folks who were "protesting" were doing so online. They have internet access.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
61 months ago

Those with poor Internet those that cannot afford to buy a bargain priced DVD at the checkout line can be happy again.
There are actually plenty who can’t afford internet at all. Get out of your bubble/
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tamara6 Avatar
61 months ago
I'm confused - is there a disadvantage to the Peanuts specials being broadcast on PBS? I'm confused why some people think this is bad. Are you being hurt by this in some way?
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tylersdad Avatar
61 months ago

There are actually plenty who can’t afford internet at all. Get out of your bubble/
Well, clearly people who cannot afford high-speed internet do not deserve to watch Charlie Brown.

I'm kidding, of course, but that seems to be the mentality of some of the previous commenters.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
61 months ago
Those with poor Internet or those that cannot afford to buy a bargain priced DVD at the checkout line can be happy again.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
topdownjimmy Avatar
61 months ago
Telling people what they should be able to afford is pretty crappy. $5 for a DVD is not the same as free.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)