AppleTV+ just threw a wrench in Halloween during a year that has already seen so much change.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, a movie that people have been watching each Halloween since 1966, will not air on ABC this year and will instead be exclusively aired on AppleTV+.
AppleTV+ announced on October 19 that it will, “become the home for all things Peanuts,” which means not only will the Peanuts Halloween special no longer be aired on ABC, but all the classic Peanuts holiday specials will only be available to watch on AppleTV+.
Celebrate Halloween with the Peanuts gang. Stream "It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" exclusively on Apple TV+ and get ready for more Peanuts specials this holiday season. https://t.co/rq6TFCLS8L pic.twitter.com/DI14FsjR1l
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) October 19, 2020
People who don’t have an AppleTV+ account but want to keep the tradition of watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown alive can still watch it by signing up for a free trial of AppleTV+ to watch it before Halloween or wait until October 30 to watch it for free until November 1.
Many took to Twitter to voice their disapproval of this move by AppleTV+, saying the streaming service disrupted a Halloween tradition for so many families.
Thanks for letting greed ruin tradition. Not everyone can afford to stream. These shows have been on broadcast tv for years and I know it might shock you but many people only watch broadcast tv. You know, not everyone has the means or access.
— Anyone (@tamhughes75) October 20, 2020
Others pointed out the bright side of the special being moved to AppleTV+.
So:
— Great Mustard Commands Me (@btouch) October 20, 2020
-I can watch them for free for three days each, no commercials.
-they don’t be time-compressed
-I don’t have to be in front of a broadcast tv
Not seeing a downside here. Most kids are even more tech savvy than I am & more apt to watch these on an app anyways.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will be available to watch for AppleTV+ subscribers on November 18, and the special will be available for free from November 25 until November 27.
A Charlie Brown Christmas will stream exclusively on Apple TV+ on December 4. The holiday special will be available for free from December 11 until December 13.
Are you a Peanuts fan? Let us know what you think about these classic specials being moved to a streaming service in the comments below!