Since its premiere in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a staple of the winter holiday season. It’s typically found a home on CBS, ABC, and PBS, but Apple shook things up in 2020 when it acquired streaming rights to all Peanuts productions. So, how can someone watch A Charlie Brown Christmas in 2023? Well, it won’t be on TV.
Apple TV is offering some shows and films – including all things Snoopy – as part of its Apple TV+ subscription package. Other Charlie Brown holiday specials are a part of this bundle, including the Thanksgiving and Halloween films. Will A Charlie Brown Christmas be free to watch in 2023? Yes and no. Here’s how to see it this year and what to expect for your wallet.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ will be available exclusively through Apple TV+
Like other programs starring Charlie Brown, his cool beagle Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gallery, A Charlie Brown Christmas is only available to watch through Apple TV+, not any cable television channel. Streaming through Apple TV+ starts for first-time customers with a seven-day free trial period, then costs $9.99 per month. Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas will not incur a further cost beyond the subscription cost.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas is currently available to watch on-demand through the streaming service at any point. However, Apple recently announced that the holiday film will be available for free, even to fans who do not have an Apple TV+ subscription, from Saturday, December 16, to Sunday, December 17.
The future of holidays with Joe Cool and the gang
Apple used a similar approach to previous holiday specials this year, with It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! available for free, regardless of subscription status, from Saturday, October 21 through Sunday, October 22. Likewise, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving was free to watch from Saturday, November 18 through Sunday, November 19.
While this business approach has garnered mixed reactions in the past, Apple is also planning new additions to the greater Peanuts franchise. It already has all-new movies in its library and on December 1 the service will be debuting a Christmas special for The Snoopy Show called “Happiness is Holiday Traditions.” This is the second holiday special for the show, with the first airing on December 2, 2022.
The Snoopy Show, which focuses on the lovable pooch and his buddy Woodstock, has several awards and nominations, and has been praised by the Michigan Daily as “so darn wholesome.”
Will you be tuning in to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+ this year?
