A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of the most iconic holiday classics. The beloved Peanuts special, which first aired in 1965, is a holiday staple in many households and for decades its been available to watch with relative ease across various cable or network television such as CBS, ABC or PBS. But in 2020, Apple TV+ acquired exclusive rights to all Peanuts-related media and moved all of the content to the streaming service.
While there had been a previous deal in place that allowed PBS to resume the annual broadcast tradition, that's no longer the case. So if you're hoping to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas in 2022, your only option is Apple TV+. It costs $6.99 per month for a subscrption to the streaming service although there is a free 7 day trial available.
Apple isn't a complete Grinch this holiday season though. The company is making A Charlie Brown Christmas available to stream for free for a limited time. From Thursday, December 22 to Sunday, December 25, you'll be able to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas for free on the streaming service -- no subscription or trial required. Alternatively, there are options to purchase a physical copy of the special.
In this beloved Peanuts special, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?
It's kind of funny that a special about Charlie Brown feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas is now only available on a paid-for streaming platform due to commercial rights.
In addition to A Charlie Brown Christmas, Apple TV+ will be debuting some additional Peanuts holiday specials this year. I Want a Dog for Christmas and Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales will be added to platform for the first time starting December 2nd. Here's a brief synopsis for both specials:
“I Want a Dog for Christmas” – Streaming on Apple TV+ Beginning Friday, December 2
All Rerun wants from Santa is a dog, but his mother won’t let him have one. Spending time with Snoopy provides the perfect pick-me-up. But when Snoopy gets too busy to play with Rerun, they call in a substitute — Snoopy’s brother Spike.
“Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales” – Streaming on Apple TV+ Beginning Friday, December 2
Celebrate the merriest time of the year with the Peanuts gang. Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Sally each star in a collection of Christmastime tales from the original Peanuts comic strips.
Both specials will be available to stream with a subscription to Apple TV+, but unfortunately, Apple has no plans to make them free at any point this holiday season.
Want to enjoy even more holiday classics? Here's where you can watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman in 2022.