Apple TV+ is temporarily planning to change its streaming model for Charlie Brown. Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, and has since been the host to a number of movies and TV shows. Their production company, Apple Originals, has been behind several popular series, including Severance, Ted Lasso, Silo, and For All Mankind. Typically, films and TV shows on Apple TV+ are on the platform via streaming, and available only to subscribers. A Charlie Brown Christmas is currently available to all subscribers.
Now, Apple will be temporarily changing its model for the Charlie Brown specials this holiday season, and it’s happening this weekend. On Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, A Charlie Brown Christmas will be available to stream for free for anyone, regardless of subscription status. This means that non-subscribers will be able to access A Charlie Brown Christmas for a limited window.
What This Means For Apple TV+
They Have Done This With Other Charlie Brown Specials
This weekend of Charlie Brown is not the first time Apple TV+ has opened the floor to non-subscribers for a short window. This fall, they announced limited free screening windows for both It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. The classic Great Pumpkin special was made available in the pre-Halloween screening window of Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving could be viewed by all on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24.
Now, Apple TV+’s likely hope with this model is to attract more people to Apple TV+ during these windows. While non-subscribers cannot access other content, using the service for the Charlie Brown specials may prompt them to look at what else is on the service. Some people will simply enjoy the free content while they get it, but others might be prompted to subscribe. After this fall of Peanuts specials free events, it will be interesting to see how Apple TV+’s subscriber base grows, if at all.
Our Take On Apple TV+’s Charlie Brown Model
This Could Help Its Upcoming Original Show
I find this to be a creative move on Apple TV+’s part, as it’s something that very few streaming services are adopting such a tactic for their users. This is an especially strategic move for Apple TV+ ahead of the Severance season 2 premiere. The sophomoric effort of the Emmy-nominated series premieres on Friday, January 17, so right around now will be the ideal time for the streamer to gain significant traction. It seems like the temporary free model is just for Charlie Brown, but it will be interesting to see if Apple TV+ ever applies this strategy again.
Source: Apple TV+
Released in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated holiday television movie directed by Bill Melendez. The Peanuts gang are brought together during the Christmas season when Charlie Brown is chosen to direct a holiday Christmas play for his neighborhood. Despite his depression during the season, the group comes together to create a memorable Christmas event.
