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'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' won't be on TV this year. Here's how to watch

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" streams for free on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 28 to Monday, October 31.
Photo Courtesy of Apple
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" streams for free on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 28 to Monday, October 31.

Watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been an iconic Halloween experience for generations of viewers since it first aired 56 years ago. Now, for just the second time since its release, the Great Pumpkin will be not be coming to television's pumpkin patches.

Along with A Charlie Brown Christmas, the classic fall movie first aired on CBS in 1966. The two movies played on the station for decades before both moved to ABC in 2000 and 2001, respectively. In 2018, Apple bought the rights to all of the Peanut specials, and the films became exclusively available to stream on Apple TV+ in 2020.

In a partnership with the streamer, PBS was allowed to air the specials in 2021. But this year, PBS no longer has the rights, and confirmed that it won't be airing the Halloween show.

So this fall — as was the case in 2020 — Apple TV+ is the only place where you can watch Linus Van Pelt await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin.

How to watch 'It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'

Apple TV+ said in a press release that will provide free windows for nonsubscribers to stream the iconic holiday specials. These movies are available to subscribers year-round.

  • It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - Oct. 28-31
  • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - Nov. 23-27
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas - Dec. 22-25
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    Matt Adams
    Matt Adams is an Audience Engagement Strategist at NPR, where he is always thinking of how a broadcast company can do more on the internet. His focus is on social media strategy and how to connect NPR with new audiences in creative ways, from community building to social audio.

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    The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

    If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

    Now all of that is at risk.

    Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

    Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

    Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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