How to Watch 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' for free in 2022

In 2022, the "Charlie Brown" Halloween special is exclusively on Apple TV+ — and free to all for a few days. Here's how to watch it.

Apple TV+ bought the rights to the "Charlie Brown" back catalog — and the rights to make new specials — back in 2020. One consequence of the deal was that for the first time in decades, families would not be able to enjoy seasonal "Charlie Brown" specials on ABC.

However, the family tradition did get to continue in a way as Apple made a deal with PBS to air particularly popular specials. Until now, the way it worked was that Apple TV+ users get access all year round, while PBS viewers see one airing around the time of the holiday.

Regretfully, PBS does not have the rights to distribute the Peanuts specials this year. We'll all have to watch for the Great Pumpkin in a different pumpkin patch this Halloween.
— PBS KIDS (@PBSKIDS) September 29, 2022

Apple has made "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" free to watch on Apple TV+ for limited time over the holidays for a few days. Specifically, the special is free to all from October 28 through 31, and viewable any time or day for subscribers.

Even free, the show will have to be watched on the Apple TV+ service itself, which means:

Via the TV app on iPhone or iPad
Through the TV app on Apple TV hardware
Online at tv.apple.com
On selected smart TV sets

In each case, viewers will need to have or to create an Apple ID.

Apple TV+ is offered for free when a user buys a qualifying device, such as an iPhone. There is also a free seven-day trial, after which the cost is $4.99 per month.

The service is also available through the Apple One bundle.

Updated October 11, 5:55 PM ET: Updated with confirmation that the Halloween special will stream to everybody with an Apple ID for free, and details of availability.