I don’t know about you, but fully feeling that Christmas spirit has been a bit more challenging this year.
But one thing that never fails to bring the best part of the season into focus for me is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Much like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” it’s required viewing in our house.
What is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’?
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” debuted in 1965 and is the first of the iconic Peanuts holiday specials. (We used to love those York Peppermint Patty commercials because it meant Christmas wasn’t far behind!)
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The special follows poor Charliie Brown as he feels oppressed by the commercialization of the holiday season all around him (et tu, Snoopy?) and struggles to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
It features a memorable holiday play rehearsal, dance scene and trip to Christmas tree farm, and speaks to the importance of Linus in Charlie Brown’s life. The soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi is as famous as the show itself.
Is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ airing on TV?
No, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will not air on traditional cable this year.
Previously, it aired on CBS, ABC and PBS until Apple purchased the rights to the “Peanuts” properties in 2020, making it exclusively available on Apple TV+.
Where can I watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas?”
Since 2020, the “Peanuts” specials have only been available to stream from Apple* TV, and are behind a paywall as part of a subscription streaming service.
How to stream ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is only airing on Apple TV+ this year. Apple TV+ memberships start at $9.99 a month and new users can sign up for a seven-day free trial before subscribing. Get Apple TV+:https://apple.co/45ZP1vN
Not interested in another streaming subscription? Apple TV+ will air “A Charlie Brown Christmas” free to nonmembers this holiday season.
At Halloween, Apple+ TV offered fans a special treat (much better than a rock!) as Peanuts enthusiasts could tune into stream “It’s the Great Pumpkiin, Charlie Brown” for free on specific dates.
Likewise, the powers that be at the streaming service must have been moved by the real meaning of the season.
A free showing will stream on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY
