How to Watch The CW Without Cable in 2022
By Staff • Published Jun 16, 2022
Updated Jun 16, 2022
For cable cutters, staying up-to-date with your favorite programs can be a challenge. Without cable, you might be a season or two behind on The CW’s top shows like Superman and Lois and Riverdale. But, with Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV, you can forget about cable and still watch The CW.
In this article, we’ll help you choose the streaming platform that best matches your needs.
Watch The CW for Free
Before deciding on which streaming platform you should invest in, you can get a sample of what they have to offer. Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV all offer free trials.
Depending on the service, free trials can last for as short as a week to as long as a month. After the period lapses, you’ll be charged the regular subscription fee. So, take advantage of the trial period to decide which service best suits your needs.
What to Watch on The CW
The CW is known for its lineup of DC programming. Shows like Superman and Lois, The Flash, and Batwoman are some of the DC series you can catch on the channel. Besides superhero series, you can watch shows like Riverdale, Naomi, and Kung Fu on The CW.
Regardless of your taste in media, The CW has something for you!
Watch The CW on Hulu + Live TV
Live TV + Award Winning On-Demand
Hulu + Live TV provides one of the best experiences out of any on-demand and Live TV platform. With a single subscription, you’ll get access to Hulu’s entire media library and Live TV. Through Hulu + Live TV, you can catch your favorite shows live. You also get the added benefit of watching your favorite movies thanks to Hulu’s media library—how you want, when you want.
Hulu + Live TV Subscription Model
Hulu + Live TV offers competitive pricing at $69.99/mo with great features. With over 65 channels and access to premium services like Disney+ and ESPN+, you’ll get a streaming platform that offers market-leading features.
To learn more about Hulu + Live TV packages, visit our article on the topic.
Hulu + Live TV Channels
With Hulu + Live TV, you’ll be able to watch over 65 different channels. You can tune-in to premium news channels like CNN or Fox News. Or you can check-out a variety of programming like sports on ESPN or edutainment on the Discovery Channel. And, of course, you can catch The CW on Hulu + Live TV.
As an added bonus, for an extra monthly fee, you can watch premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Hulu + Live TV Device Support
When subscribing to Hulu + Live TV, you’ll get support on a wide-range of devices. You can access the streaming platform on:
TV streaming media players: Apple TV (4th gen and up), Amazon Fire TV and TV Stick, Chromecast, and Roku (most models)
Smart TVs: LG TV (select models), Samsung TV (select models), Android TV, and Roku TV
Mobile devices and tablets: Android (5.0 and up), iOS (11 and up), Amazon Fire (tablets)
Game consoles: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox 360
Desktop browsers: Most Mac and PC browsers
Smart home devices: Amazon Echo Show (video and voice controls)
Desktop operating systems: Windows 10 (dedicated app)
Hulu + Live TV Simultaneous Streams
The base subscription of Hulu + Live TV allows you to stream the service on 2 devices—simultaneously. But, for an additional monthly fee of $10, you can use Hulu + Live TV on as many devices as you want.
Hulu + Live TV DVR
Hulu + Live TV comes with 50 hours of DVR by default. However, with the Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on, the 50-hour limit is expanded to 200 hours. On top of that, you get the added benefit of being able to fast-forward those annoying ads!
Hulu + Live TV On-Demand Library
Hulu is one of the pillars of the industry when it comes to on-demand services. With current hit movies like The King’s Man or old favorites like Airplane!, Hulu’s media library is nothing to scoff at.
Thanks to its combination of Live TV and on-demand library, Hulu + Live TV offers features that are hard to beat.
Watch The CW on fuboTVAGMTWP_/how-to/watch-the-cw-without-cable/
Great for Soccer, Sports, and New Shows
With factors like 4K video support, exclusive sports channels, and an extensive list of The CW affiliate channels, fuboTV promises market-leading features over its competition. Thanks to these features, fuboTV will provide you with an unparalleled watching experience.
fuboTV Subscription Models
At fuboTV, their subscriptions start with the Starter Plan at $64.99/mo. When you choose the Starter Plan, you get over 110 channels that include The CW and a wide-range of sports and family-friendly channels.
fuboTV Channels
Since 2018, fuboTV has added The CW to its library of channels. Besides The CW, fuboTV subscribers get access to an expansive library of sports channels that include ESPN, NBA TV, NHL Network, Stadium, and Zona Futbol. Sports enthusiasts will certainly get their money’s worth when they subscribe to fuboTV. Another added benefit to fuboTV is its extensive local channel support.
fuboTV Device Support
Currently, fuboTV has app support for most devices. Some of the devices that support fuboTV apps include:
TV streaming media players: Apple TV (4th gen and up), Amazon Fire TV and TV Stick (1st gen and up), Chromecast, and Roku (2, 3, and 4)
Smart TVs: Android TV (4.4 and up)
Mobile devices and tablets: Android and iOS
Game consoles: Xbox consoles
Desktop browsers: Most Mac and PC browsers
fuboTV Simultaneous Streaming
By default, fuboTV allows for simultaneous streaming on up to 3 separate devices. However, with a paid upgrade, the stream cap can be raised to up to 10 different devices on your home network, and 2 devices on public networks.
fuboTV DVR
Subscribers to fuboTV’s Starter plan have access to 250 hours of cloud DVR. The higher-tier plans include a DVR storage of up to 1000 hours. However, Starter plan subscribers can opt to upgrade their DVR storage for an additional monthly fee.
fuboTV On-Demand Library
fuboTV’s media library offers a wide variety of content for its subscribers. While not as extensive as market leaders like Netflix or Hulu, fuboTV’s on-demand library still provides hours upon hours of entertainment.
Additionally, with its 72-hour Lookback feature, you can go back in time and watch previously aired content for up to 3 days after its original air date.
Watch The CW on DirecTV Stream
Get Your TV Together
With features like unlimited DVR and industry-leading simultaneous stream support, DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) is a compelling option for people looking to catch The CW without cable.
DirecTV Stream Subscription Models
DirecTV Stream’s subscriptions start with the Entertainment Plan, which is priced at $69.99/month. While more pricey than its competitors, DirecTV Stream includes added benefits like premium channels such as the likes of Cinemax and HBO Max. And, of course, all plans include The CW.
DirecTV Stream Channels
Every DirecTV Stream subscriber will be able to tune in to The CW. Besides that, you can get up to over 140 channels when you subscribe to the service. DirecTV Stream includes premium channels like HBO Max and Showtime.
You can find a full list of DirecTV Stream channels here.
DirecTV Stream Device Support
Besides game consoles, you can access DirecTV Stream on most modern devices. Some of the devices that have DirecTV Stream app support include:
TV streaming media players: Apple TV (4th gen and up, 5th gen and up for 4K), Amazon Fire TV (2nd gen and up, 1st gen for Cube), Chromecast (2nd gen and up), Roku (most models)
Smart TVs: Samsung TV (2017 and 2018 models), Android TV (4.4 and up), Roku TV (7000X), Mi TV, Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TV (2nd gen and up), Chromecast Built-in TV
Mobile devices and tablets: Android (5.0 and up), iOS (10 and up), Amazon Fire (tablets)
Desktop browsers: Chrome and Safari recommended
DirecTV Stream Simultaneous Streaming
DirecTV Stream allows a whopping 20 separate devices to access DirecTV Stream simultaneously on your home network. Additionally, you can have synchronized streaming on 2 devices when on public networks.
DirecTV Stream DVR
One of DirecTV Stream’s main advantages over the competition is the unlimited DVR across all subscription models. It comes with a caveat, though—recordings can only be stored for up to 90 days.
DirecTV Stream On-Demand Library
If you crave a wide range of content, DirecTV Stream offers a diverse media library. While Netflix and Hulu are industry leaders in this regard, DirecTV Stream subscribers can still enjoy a wide-selection of content courtesy of its on-demand library.
Watch The CW on Youtube TV
In 2017, Youtube started to dip its fingers into the LiveTV market. With its identity as _the _go-to video sharing platform, Youtube has brought its features into the LiveTV space. Given its user-friendly accessibility options, solid channel line-up, and extensive local broadcast support, YoutubeTV is a competitive choice as a LiveTV platform.
YoutubeTV Subscription Models
YoutubeTV only has one type of subscription at $64.99/mo. With a YoutubeTV subscription, you can watch content from over 85 channels. In addition, it comes with an introduction package of a $10 discount on your first 3 months of subscription fees.
To learn more about YoutubeTV’s subscription offers, check-out this page.
YoutubeTV Channels
On a YoutubeTV subscription, you get to watch channels like _BET, Bravo, E!, _and even all major _ESPN _channels. On top of that, for an additional fee, you can subscribe to premium channels like _HBO Now, Hallmark, _and _Cinemax _to name a few.
Click here to learn the full scope of YoutubeTV’s channel line-up.
YoutubeTV Device Support
Up until 2019, the feud between Amazon and Youtube limited YoutubeTV support on Amazon devices. But, since then, YouTubeTV includes Amazon TV support, putting it on equal footing with its competition.
Here is a brief overview of YoutubeTV supported devices:
TV streaming media players: Apple TV (4th gen and up), Chromecast and Roku (most models), Amazon Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick (most models)
Smart TVs: Android TV (select models), Samsung TV (2016+ models only), LG TV (2016+ models only), Vizio (select SmartCast models), Hisense (select models), Sharp (select models)
Mobile devices and tablets: Android (5.0 and up), iOS (9.1 and up)
Game consoles: Xbox One (all versions)
Desktop browsers: Most Mac and PC browsers
A full list of YoutubeTV supported devices can be found here.
YoutubeTV Simultaneous Streaming
YoutubeTV subscribers can access the service from their home network on 3 separate devices simultaneously. YoutubeTV also allows simultaneous streaming from 2 devices when accessing the platform on public networks.
You can learn about YoutubeTV’s full simultaneous streaming features on this page.
YoutubeTV DVR
YoutubeTV’s DVR functionality is one of the service’s selling features thanks to its unlimited DVR storage. Additionally, up to six profiles can be created on a single subscription with separate DVR storage.
Learn more about YoutubeTV’s DVR here.
YoutubeTV On-Demand Library
Programs airing on YoutubeTV will be available on-demand on the platform after their air date. Add to that, YoutubeTV features a fairly extensive library of on-demand movies.
How to Watch The CW on Amazon Fire TV
All four featured Live TV services are available on Amazon Fire TV.
How to Watch The CW on Roku
Like Amazon Fire TV, Roku offers app support for Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV.
How to Watch The CW on AppleTV
App support for the four featured streaming platforms can be accessed through the Apple Store on all AppleTVs.
With Live TV You can Enjoy The CW and All Your Favorite Channels
With cable still costing an arm and a leg, people are looking for alternatives to catch their favorite programs. Luckily, these days, we have access to many alternatives. With Live TV platforms like Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV you can tailor-make your media consumption based on your needs and budget.