No More CHARLIE BROWN Cartoon Specials on TV - in 2020? Oh, Good Grief!

I've been checking and re-checking the schedules the last few weeks - searching for the annual airing of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown." Typically these two episodes air together around Halloween and just before the Election. Well, news has just been coming out (thank you for emailing that article, Jim!) that the reason we can't find Charlie Brown on ABC's schedule is because Apple TV+, which is a streaming service, has purchased the rights to the Peanuts Cartoons.

So... this means not only will we NOT see "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on TV, but that means "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" are gone from ABC, too. I feel like Lucy just pulled the football away - just as we were getting ready to kick it. How could ABC let this happen? I can't even imagine Christmas without Charlie Brown saying "Isn't there anyone knows what Christmas is all about?" And then, of course, sweet Linus responds with, "Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is about... Lights, please!" The spotlight shines on Linus center stage as he shares the story of Jesus' birth straight from the scripture Luke 2:8-14 -

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of The Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'.

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

There's something so pure and innocent about Charlie Brown and all of the Peanuts beloved characters - Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Franklin, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, Woodstock, Snoopy, the little red-head girl and many others! I'm afraid once this wholesome message is lost yearly on TV, a whole generation of children may grow up not really knowing what Christmas is all about. This may be the only exposure some children or adults get to the true meaning of Christmas.

Apple TV+ is offering these cartoons free, for a limited time, but I have a feeling it's just a way to get subscribers hooked into their streaming service. According to the article from cordcuttersnews.com, Apple TV+ is planning to create new specials for our Peanuts characters centered arond Mother's Day, Earth Day, etc... I sure hope they don't try to politicize these characters that we love.

I'm also hearing the Charlie Brown cartoons will not be available to stream via Amazon or elsewhere; they are truly exclusive to Apple TV+. If you want to have them forever in your home and view them over and over again whenever you wish - for years to come, the best option is to buy them on DVD. There are various options you can see below, from buying them individually or in DVD sets. I personally own a Holiday DVD Collection, myself, but I am going to make certain I own every special Peanuts Episode!


Click on the DVD's below - available on Amazon:

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Peanuts Holiday Collection: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas:




It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving:

A Charlie Brown Christmas:




I am so thankful we still have these DVD options, and hopefully many people will still be able to enjoy these cherished cartoon classics this holiday season and years to come!

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

And EVERYONE who visits here! Net

Posted in: Movies on TV