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How to Watch The CW Channel Without Cable

Back in 2006, the beginnings of a joint venture began between Warner Bros and CBS. This began right at the end of the UPN and WB channels.

During the early days, the channel was aimed at more of the female population, and with shows such as America’s Next Top Model being one of the major titles; it was easy to see why.

Nowadays, things have changed and CW has broadened its horizons and included lots of content for the male population as well. Currently, there is an equal split between males and females.

This channel is usually accessed through a cable subscription in the USA, however, there are many cord cutters who wish to leave behind their over-priced cable subscriptions, but don’t want to leave behind watching CW shows.

There are some options for this, because not everything is clear cut to say get rid of your cable, and stream online.

To watch CW live stream you do need to love in specific areas, because it isn’t accessible from everywhere.


How do I Watch CW Without Cable?

With the CW live TV only being shown in specific areas, this means there has to be a workaround to access all the content that is available.

There are some options, but these vary for very specific reasons. There are streaming services, which show CW live TV, but these may only be shown in certain markets. On top of this, the CW television network has a streaming app.

In fact, there are two apps from the CW; both are very different in the content delivery. However, one thing they both have in common is they don’t show any live TV shows, as does the website.

We will look at each method of watching the CW channel in turn after seeing what shows you can find.


What to Watch on CW

There are plenty of great shows on the CW with quite a few coming from the Arrowverse. This spreads out from the primary show and becomes interwoven with a host of characters.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow and The Flash being the main crossover shows. There has been intertwined stories from some of the full episodes, so it can be important to make sure you watch all of them.

Arrow being the key show along with Flash, and the Legends of Tomorrow being the main spin-off.

Moving away from the Arrowverse, we can still follow the superhero theme with Black Lightning and Supergirl.

There are shows that appeal more to the regular crowd who are not into comic characters. These include Crazy ex-girlfriend and The Vampire Diaries among many others.

The channel is still growing in popularity as can be seen by one of the networks longest running shows “Supernatural” which began almost at the same time as the network started broadcasting.


Where to Watch the CW

To make full use of CW Network shows, you will need a VPN service. It may seem strange, but with the restrictions in areas where these services are shown, it makes sense.

Using a VPN may be the only way you can watch CW live depending on the area where you live.

Here are the best “Skinny Bundles” which CW online stream access.

Hulu

Hulu has been around for a few years and still grows. To many viewers it appears to be the most significant competitor to Netflix. It delivers both Live TV and VOD content with the largest package.

The CW comes with one of the smallest package; however, you won’t be able to access any live streams as this only comes with the top tier package.

Packages: Ad-supported plan is $5.99 per month, with no ads is $11.99 per month and Hulu with Live TV is $44.99 per month.

Add-ons: Entertainment ($7.99), HBO ($14.99), Showtime ($10.99), Cinemax ($9.99) and others.

Device Support: iOS and Android, FireTV, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Chromecast, Smart TV’s and browsers.

Cloud DVR: 50 hours, which can be upgraded to 200 hours with the enhanced DVR add-on ($14.99 per month)

Free Trial: There is a Free Trial of 7-days on Live TV plan. 1-month on smaller plans

Streams: two simultaneous streams

Hulu can be a great way to access the CW; however, if you choose the Hulu with Live TV, this is only in certain markets, so you will need a VPN that can change city level connection.

YouTube TV

YouTube is making inroads to be one of the main contenders in the streaming service world.

With the size of the company, this can be a possibility, however, it currently only supports specific market areas.

While other streamers offer multiple packages, this offers only one. Luckily, this includes CW.

Just be sure you live in a YouTube TV region and you are good to go. If not, you can use a VPN to change your location to a region where the streaming service works.

Packages: $49.99 per month. If you go through Apple, it will cost a higher price of $54.99 per month.

Add-ons: AMC Premiere ($5), Fox Soccer Plus ($15), Showtime ($7), Starz ($9), NBA League Pass ($40 per month or $124 per year) and many others.

Device Support: iOS and Android devices, Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple & Android TV, Xbox One.

Cloud DVR: Unlimited

Free Trial: 7-days risk free trial

DirecTV Now

Like other skinny bundles, DirecTV Now shows CW live streaming in select markets. From the main website, you can find which areas the service covers.

DirecTV comes with a few more bundles than other services, so it is quite versatile. It also comes with local affiliates for major channels; you do however need to check if these fall in your region.

As an example, NBC has 46 affiliates, while Fox rises up to 70. It will depend on which channels are most important, and if your area of choice has CW.

Packages: Plus ($50), Max ($70) Alternative Packages – Entertainment ($93), Choice ($110), Xtra ($124), Ultimate ($135), and Optimo Mas ($86)

Add-ons: Aside from the International bundles and the Channel packs, you have the following premium add-ons. Cinemax ($11 or included in Max plan). HBO, this is included Plus and Max plans, Showtime ($11) and STARZ ($11)

Device Support: Browsers, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, iOS and Android, and Chromecast

Cloud DVR: 20 hours which comes with a 30-day limit. There is no way to upgrade.
Free Trial: 7 days free on offer

Fubo TV

Fubo TV comes with 2 plans and both contain access to CW. It is also a great platform for sports lovers as that is how it started.

While the base plan can be sparse compared to others, you can quickly increase this with the premium add-ons you can choose from.

Packages: Fubo ($54), Family ($59.99), Family Deluxe ($64.99), Ultra ($79.99)

Add-ons: Showtime ($10.99), AMC Premiere ($4.99), International Sports Plus ($5.99), Sports Plus ($8.99), Adventure Plus ($4.99), NBA League Pass ($28.99), fubo Extra ($5.99), FX Plus ($5.99), and fubo Cycling ($11.99)

Device Support: Browsers, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, iOS and Android, and Chromecast

Cloud DVR: 30 hours with unlimited time. Can be expanded to 500 with a charge.

Free Trial: 7 days available


CW App and CW Seed

In operation, these function the same as the website. You can stream the five latest episodes with ads.

On current shows, as soon as the latest episode is aired, the earliest of the latest episodes will vanish from the CW app.

Additionally, if the network airs a repeat episode, then the running order will be out of sync. To watch CW, you need this app, but things change again if you watch the CW Seed shows.

CW Seed is a separate channel and offers shows, which are hard to find in other areas. It has a large library of older material and lots of animated shows.

  • Supernatural: The Anime series
  • Alcatraz
  • Constantine: City of Demons
  • The Secret Circle and many more.

The regular app streams shows the day after the channel shows them. Neither app will show any live content; this has to be accessed from the above streaming companies.

Almost all devices are supported, and there is no log in or subscription required.


Watching CW in the USA with a VPN

As you can see from the streaming services, there is a need for a VPN inside the United States.

This is more the case when VPN’s throttle connections for users who are streaming. Adding the need for your VPN to access, certain areas can rule out a few.

When choosing a VPN that is suitable, you can spend hours making a VPN comparison.

  • Does my VPN allow city-level connections?
  • Does my VPN have fast download speeds?
  • Does my VPN have a 30-day no-argument money-back guarantee?
  • Will my VPN prevent connection throttling?
  • Can my VPN be installed on routers?
  • Is my VPN the best for me?

To answer all these questions, you even need to check all the markets where it service operates, or you can follow the number one recommendation and choose ExpressVPN. This delivers in every area and more.

With their no argument 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test all the above services, the CW apps, and see how great an experience you have watch VOD or live TV from CW, at home of on your mobile device.

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