ABC has renewed its deal to broadcast the Peanuts holiday specials, including the all-time classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The deal between ABC and Peanuts Worldwide LLC and Lee Mendelsohn Film Productions, will keep the beloved specials on the network for five more years.
ABC began airing the specials, which were animated by Bill Melendez, in 2001 and has scored ‘stellar’ ratings with them.
The deal comes as the 60th anniversary of Charles Schulz’ first Peanuts comic strip looms on Oct. 2. This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the premiere of the first Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, in 1965.
From then until Schulz’s death in 2000, Mendelsohn and animator Bill Melendez produced 50 animated Peanuts specials and four animated featured films with the Peanuts characters.
