Good Grief, Charlie Brown Was Not Taken by 2020, He’s Still Here

Good grief, everyone, before you start blaming 2020 for the loss of Charlie Brown, it's going to be OK.

Charlie and the whole Peanuts crew are still going to be around for the holidays, just not on broadcast television. The long-running holiday specials that have lit up our living rooms and played in the background of family gatherings for more than half of a century are simply moving from regular television to streaming, just like a lot of other programs.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas will now be offered on Apple TV.

So there's good news and there's bad news about this move.

First, let's rip the Band-Aid and just say that if you don't have a smart TV or some kind of streaming device, then you have every right to be upset about this since you won't be able to watch it without one. However, for those who do have the ability to download the Apple TV app onto their televisions, Fire TV Sticks, mobile devices or what have you, will be able to sign up for a free trial just by giving your e-mail address.

Seems like a good plan, right? Well, it gets even better.

You see, according to Vulture.com, Apple TV is looking to give subscribers and non-subscribers a free pass to watch these holiday classics in hopes to increase subscribers by showing off their platform. Here's what the schedule looks like to watch for free, even if you don't have Apple products:

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: October 30 to November 1

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: November 25 to November 27

A Charlie Brown Christmas: December 11 to December 13

Keep in mind, though, that the free trial only lasts a week before it starts charging you $4.99 a month, but if you're someone who has recently purchased an Apple product, then you could be eligible for a free year's subscription.

You know, I'm due for a new iPhone, this just might have been the motivation needed to pursue one.