ABC Signs Five-Year Deal To Retain Charlie Brown

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" will continue to be a holiday tradition for ABC. According to "Bloomberg BusinessWeek," the network has signed a new five-year deal with Iconix Brand Group to continue airing the "Peanuts" holiday specials. Iconix bought the licensing rights earlier this year to the "Peanuts" franchise from E.W. Scripps Company in a new partnership with the family of creater Charles M. Schulz. No financial terms on the deal were announced. ABC has been showing the "Peanuts" specials since December, 2001.