The True Length Of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Why The Runtime Changes (25 Minutes To 1 Hour)

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the beloved holiday special that first aired on November 20, 1973, is a staple of the American holiday season, yet the answer to "how long is it?" is surprisingly complex. As of December 11, 2025, the definitive, no-commercials runtime of the classic animated feature is a brisk 25 minutes. However, the special’s length has historically varied wildly, depending on whether you watched the original CBS broadcast, the later ABC airings, or the current, exclusive version on Apple TV+. This variation is why many fans remember it feeling like a much longer, hour-long event. The special, created by the legendary Charles M. Schulz, tells the simple, heartwarming story of Charlie Brown’s accidental Thanksgiving dinner, a feast of toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks, and jelly beans prepared by Snoopy and Woodstock. Understanding the different runtimes requires a look at its broadcast history—a journey from prime-time television to a dedicated streaming service—and the creative minds who brought the *Peanuts* gang to life.

The Definitive Runtimes: Streaming vs. Broadcast

The question of "how long" *A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving* is depends entirely on the format you are watching. There are three primary runtimes that have defined the special’s history and continue to confuse viewers today.

• 25 Minutes (The Official Runtime): This is the pure, animated content. It is the length of the version currently available on Apple TV+ and is the standard for DVD/Blu-ray releases. This is the runtime without any commercials, network bumpers, or bonus features.
• 30 Minutes (The Prime-Time Slot Runtime): This is the length the special often took up on television without commercials, but including the opening/closing credits and any network-mandated public service announcements or short introductions. Some older syndicated versions may run closer to this length.
• 45–60 Minutes (The Original Broadcast Runtime): This is the length of the special when it aired in a full prime-time television block on CBS and later ABC. The 25-minute special was padded with 20–35 minutes of commercials, network promotions, and sometimes a bonus short like *The Mayflower Voyagers* (part of the *This Is America, Charlie Brown* series), making it feel like a standard one-hour television program.

The short, punchy runtime of the special is a testament to the genius of Charles M. Schulz, who believed in telling a complete story without unnecessary filler. The 25-minute length is precisely why it feels so nostalgic and rewatchable—it doesn't overstay its welcome.

The Legendary Team Behind the 1973 Classic

The enduring quality of *A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving* is rooted in the consistency of the creative team that brought the *Peanuts* comic strip to the small screen. The special was the tenth prime-time animated special based on the strip and maintained the high standards set by its predecessors, *A Charlie Brown Christmas* (1965) and *It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown* (1966).

Key Production Details (1973)

The special was a Lee Mendelson–Bill Melendez Production in association with United Feature Syndicate. The team ensured the animation style and character voices remained true to the spirit of Schulz's work.

• Writer/Creator: Charles M. Schulz
• Directors: Bill Melendez and Phil Roman
• Producers: Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez
• Original Air Date: November 20, 1973 (on CBS)
• Music: The iconic jazz score was provided by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, featuring the memorable "Thanksgiving Theme."

Voice Cast (The Original 1973 Voices)

The unique, natural, and often melancholic voices of the *Peanuts* children are a crucial part of the special’s charm.

• Charlie Brown: Todd Barbee
• Lucy van Pelt: Robin Kohn
• Linus van Pelt: Stephen Shea
• Sally Brown: Hilary Momberger
• Peppermint Patty: Christopher DeFaria
• Marcie: Jimmy Ahrens
• Snoopy/Woodstock: Bill Melendez

The Seating Controversy and Modern Re-Evaluation

Despite its status as a beloved classic, *A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving* has been subject to modern scrutiny, particularly regarding a specific scene during the makeshift dinner hosted by Snoopy. This discussion is a crucial part of the special’s current relevance and topical authority. The controversy centers on the character Franklin Armstrong, the *Peanuts* gang's first African-American character, introduced in 1968. During the Thanksgiving feast, while the other characters—Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Linus—sit on one side of the picnic table, Franklin is seated alone on the opposite side. This seating arrangement has been frequently debated on social media and in cultural commentary, with critics suggesting it represents a subtle form of racial segregation or exclusion. The family of Charles M. Schulz has consistently defended the scene, stating that there was no racial intent behind the composition. Schulz’s widow, Jean Schulz, and others involved in the production have maintained that the scene was simply a creative choice by the animators and directors, Bill Melendez and Phil Roman, and was not a reflection of the writer’s views or an intentional slight against the character of Franklin. Regardless of the original intent, the scene remains a point of discussion and re-evaluation for viewers watching the special today.

The Modern Viewing Experience: Exclusivity on Apple TV+

For decades, *A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving* was a fixture of network television, airing annually on CBS and later on ABC. This tradition, however, came to an end in 2020. In a significant shift for the *Peanuts* franchise, Apple TV+ acquired the exclusive streaming rights to the classic holiday specials, including the Thanksgiving feature. This move effectively removed the special from traditional broadcast television, making it a streaming-only event. For fans who do not subscribe to the service, Apple TV+ has continued the tradition of making the special available for free for a limited window around the holiday. For example, in 2024, the special was available for free viewing for a few days in November. This model ensures that the special remains accessible to the general public while cementing Apple TV+ as the exclusive home for all *Peanuts* content. When you watch the special on the Apple TV+ app, you are viewing the clean, 25-minute version. This is the definitive, pure cut of the holiday classic, free from the commercial interruptions and network padding that defined its longer, hour-long broadcast runtimes of the past. If you’re looking for the quickest dose of holiday nostalgia, the 25-minute streaming version is the one you need.