I remember when I was younger and how my family and I would go out trick-or-treating from house to house. I would fill my pillowcase full of candy and make the trek home to dump all the candy out, count how many pieces I had and sit down by the fireplace to watch the iconic “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”
However, I will not have that opportunity again. I am not saddened by dressing up as a fireman or zombie. I am saddened that I will not be able to watch the iconic TV show again on mainstream television.
On Oct. 21, AppleTV+ announced that it will take ownership of the Charlie Brown, and “Peanuts” series including the holiday seasons specials: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”
This is a shocker since all Charlie Brown specials have been streaming on main-stream television for many years.
“Families can still continue the tradition of watching Charlie Brown around the holidays — but it will be a bit different this year,” according to Caitlin O’Kane of CBS News.
While I am not surprised, since almost everything is streamed today, I am saddened that kids younger than me will not be able to experience the way Halloween was for me. With Halloween already being different due to COVID-19 coronavirus during trick-or-treat, this obviously puts a damper on my Halloween experience.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” debuted in October 1966 on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). For 35 years, the special stayed on CBS until 2001 when the special moved to the American Broadcasting System (ABC).
“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” followed the successful launch of the Christmas special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965. Later on, the corporation would go on to create, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” in 1973.
Fans on social media also reacted by posting tweets blaming the year 2020, and videos reacting to the announcement.
AppleTV+ plans to create new originals for the “Peanuts” cast.
According to a CBS article, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will be free for viewers to stream on AppleTV+ from Oct.30 to Nov. 1. Meanwhile “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will be avaliable to stream from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13.
AppleTV+ costs $4.99 a month with a seven-day free trial.
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