Apple TV+ teams up with PBS to air Charlie Brown holiday specials

Back in October, it was confirmed that Apple TV+ had secured the streaming rights for the Charlie Brown holiday specials. But, after some feedback, Apple won’t be locking down the content after all.

Today, Apple TV+ announced that it will be working with Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, to air some of the Charlie Brown holiday specials moving forward. According to the press release, Apple TV+ will still host both A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas beginning November 18 and December 4, respectively.

However, for folks who don’t have access to the Apple TV app, the two specials will also be available ad-free from PBS and PBS Kids. They will be available to watch on PBS and PBS Kids on November 22, 2020, for the Thanksgiving special, and December 13, 2020, for the Christmas special.

“Peanuts” fans will have even more ways to watch Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang on their holiday adventures as Apple and PBS team up for special ad-free broadcasts of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” To complement their release on Apple TV+ this holiday season, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will also air on PBS and PBS KIDS on November 22, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT (check local listings) and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will air on PBS and PBS KIDS on December 13, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. local time / 6:30 p.m. CT (check local listings).

This is good news. While it’s great that Apple TV+ has Peanuts content for subscribers to enjoy, these animated specials shouldn’t be locked down to any one service. Making them available, even just for one day, on PBS and PBS Kids is a solid move on Apple’s part.

Of course, the films can still be purchased.