This holiday season won't be the same without "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on network TV.
But after viewer outrage, it is coming back for just one night on PBS. And it will also be free to stream for three nights this month.
Viewers looking for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" won't find it on ABC or CBS stations this year for the first time in 50 years.
Apple this fall snapped up all the Peanuts specials (including "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"), and they will be streaming on Apple TV Plus from now on.
You can just see Apple jumping up and down in a little wooden booth like Lucy Van Pelt, saying "I just love the sound of money!"
Where you can still see it free
But if you don't want to pay $5 a month to subscribe to Apple TV Plus, you still have a couple of free options to watch the holiday favorite.
Apple announced you will be able to stream "A Charlie Brown Christmas" free from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13.
Just go to tv.apple.com on your TV, phone or laptop, and look for the show.
You should not be required to enter a credit card, according to Apple Insider, from the 11th to 13th. (A credit card is required for a seven-day free trial of the entire streaming service.)
What about Grandma?
But from the doesn't that stink file: The fact is that Apple's free offer doesn't help Grandma or Grandpa, who don't stream and just watch old-fashioned cable or antenna TV.
That stinks.
So after thousands of viewer complaints, Apple recently announced it is allowing PBS stations nationwide to air the show once this year, on Sunday, Dec. 13th.
It will air at 7:30 pm on most stations, but check your local PBS listings.
You can also buy Grandma a DVD of the show. Walmart, Target, and Amazon still offer "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on DVD for $10-$20.
The only thing missing: The old Dolly Madison snack cake commercials that used to air during the broadcast, featuring Lucy, Linus and the gang.
Streaming TV is the future, but some traditions are best enjoyed the old-fashioned way, with the whole family gathered in front of the big TV screen.
As always, don't waste your money.
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