A beloved holiday tradition for many British families is undergoing a significant shift this year. The classic 1973 animated special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, will not be appearing on traditional cable or broadcast television.
The End of an Era on Television
For decades, watching Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang prepare for their unconventional Thanksgiving feast was a staple of the seasonal TV schedule. However, that tradition has now officially ended. The change began in 2020 when Apple TV acquired the exclusive rights to the entire library of Peanuts holiday specials.
This acquisition made Apple TV the sole distributor for these cherished cartoons, effectively removing them from other streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, as well as their long-standing broadcast homes.
How to Watch the Festive Special Now
For viewers hoping to catch the special this November, there is only one primary destination. To stream A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, you will need an active Apple TV+ monthly subscription.
The platform does offer a free seven-day trial for new subscribers, which could be timed for the holiday. Alternatively, fans can purchase a physical DVD or Blu-Ray copy to own permanently.
It is worth noting that Apple TV did offer a free viewing window for the special in early November, but this has already passed for 2025. A previous arrangement that allowed PBS to air the cartoon for free has not been renewed, solidifying the paywall.
Apple's Long-Term Hold on Peanuts
This move is part of a broader strategy by Apple. The tech giant's exclusive rights to the Peanuts content, which includes not only the classic specials but also new productions, have been extended until 2030.
This long-term deal ensures that for the foreseeable future, the Peanuts gang's holiday adventures will be a streaming-exclusive event, marking a definitive end to their free-to-air television era.
