Don’t go searching for the Great Pumpkin on broadcast television this Halloween.
For the first time in decades, Peanuts holiday specials will not be broadcast on public television. Instead, the animated classics will be reserved for exclusive viewing via AppleTV+ after the company signed a deal with Peanuts’ brand and production companies. [Featured image via imdb.com]
In a recent press release, Apple announced that it had signed a deal with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, obtaining exclusive streaming rights to Peanuts classics, including: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
“Apple TV+ has teamed up with WildBrain, along with Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, to become the home for all things “Peanuts,” bringing together new original series and specials, along with iconic beloved specials to fans around the world, all in one place,” the company wrote in the release.
However, viewers can still watch the holiday specials on the streaming application for free in specific windows. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will be available to the public from October 30 to November 1. Additionally, anyone can watch the Thanksgiving special at no charge between November 25 – 27, and A Charlie Brown Christmas between December 11 – December 13.
Apple plans to create all-new Peanuts content for AppleTV+ through WildBrain animation studios, including a follow-up season of Snoopy in Space as well as new holidays specials surrounding New Year’s Eve, Mother’s Day, Earth Day, and going back to school.
Peanuts was created by Charles M. Shulz in 1947 under the working name Li’l Folks. In October of 1950, Shulz changed the name to Peanuts. It began as a daily strip in seven newspapers. Shulz continued his beloved comic until his death in 2000. At that point the comic strip was circulating in more than 2,600 newspapers to over 355 million readers worldwide.