Why is this bizarre? Most countries seems to have traditions relating to seasons. In the UK It's a Wonderful Life and The Snowman are iconic and broadcast every year. Japanese traditionally eats KFC at Christmas. I'm sure most countries have quirks like these. They are harmless, they create a sense of togetherness and humans in general likes traditions and rituals. Considering how big especially Donald Duck is in Sca…
This has its roots in that non-state broadcast TV was outlawed until 1992 (satellite TV broadcast from the UK was the workaround but far from universally adopted)