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How to Watch The CW Network in 2025: Stream With Cable, Satellite & Online

The CW is a go-to channel for fans of many popular series. If you're traveling abroad or live overseas, we've got some useful tips on how to watch The CW from anywhere.

Kit CopsonSandra PattisonIgor Kurtz

Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)

Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)

Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)

Last Updated: 2025-02-02T13:53:25+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

How to Watch the CW Network
Key Takeaways: How to Watch The CW
  1. Sign up to a reputable VPN service like NordVPN.
  2. Install the VPN client and launch the app.
  3. Sign in to your account and connect to a server in the U.S.
  4. Start watching the CW.

Best VPNs for Watching The CW From Anywhere

  1. NordVPN — Best VPN for streaming and bypassing geoblocks. NordVPN’s two-year plan offers 72% off on the first two years with three months free.
  2. Surfshark — Best budget-friendly VPN for streaming. A 66% (plus 3 months free) discount is available for users who choose Surfshark’s extended subscription options.
  3. ExpressVPN — Most user-friendly streaming VPN. New ExpressVPN subscribers get up to 25% reduced rates on long-term commitments.

Facts & Expert Analysis

  • You can access The CW’s website to stream on-demand content from anywhere with a VPN. Simply download a reputable VPN and connect to a server in the U.S. 
  • U.S. viewers can watch The CW live on cable or with a digital antenna or live TV streaming service. 
Best VPN for The CW

The CW is an American TV network with series like ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Grimm’ and events like LIV Golf and Miss USA in its library. You can watch this free-to-air channel on cable, a live TV streaming service or with a digital antenna in the U.S. However, if you’re outside the States, we’ll clue you in on how to watch The CW for free from anywhere.

Geoblocking means that a streaming platform’s viewership is restricted to certain locations. For example, you can only watch The CW in the U.S. Fortunately, a good VPN like NordVPN and an internet connection are all you need to stream The CW from anywhere. We’ll explain more about this and share a tutorial to show you the simple steps to use a VPN to stream.

  • 01/30/2024 Facts checked

    We’ve updated this guide to include current information on how to watch The CW both in and outside the U.S. We’ve also added VPN recommendations and a tutorial on how to access The CW from abroad. 

  • 10/01/2024 Facts checked

    We refreshed these rankings based on the latest VPN testing and market analysis.

  • 02/02/2025 Facts checked

    Added more information about the best CW-compatible VPNs.

How to Watch The CW: Live TV Streaming Services

The CW is a free-to-air channel, and you can stream on-demand content for free on The CW’s website or in its app. If you’re outside the U.S., we’ll show you how to access The CW’s website with a VPN. 

However, those in the U.S. who want access to more channels than just The CW and other free-to-air channels will need a cable or satellite subscription or a live TV streaming service subscription. We’ll explore this below. 

If you can’t find certain CW shows, it’s worth checking other streaming services like Max or Netflix. For example, ‘Charmed’ and ‘Jane the Virgin’ (CW shows) are on Netflix U.S.  

Which Streaming Services Have The CW?

Hulu + Live TV, Youtube TV and DirecTV Stream are all streaming services that have The CW. Another option for U.S. viewers is to get a digital antenna, as The CW is free to air. If you want a more extensive channel selection, well-known cable and satellite providers that carry The CW include (but are not limited to) the following.

Provider:Price
Xfinity From $20 per month*
DirecTV From $69.99 per month*
DISH From $84.99 per month*
*Varies by plan

For those who have cut the cord, you can catch CW broadcasts on a live TV streaming service. These don’t typically come with contracts, so you can cancel at any time. Just remember that channel availability — including The CW — can vary depending on where you are. Services that carry The CW include the ones listed below.

You’ll need a valid U.S. payment method to sign up for most live TV streaming services. Some CW shows and movies are missing from these services’ on-demand libraries, so check each platform for availability.

ProviderPriceFree Trial?Notes
Hulu + Live TV From $75.99* (month)CW availability may depend on your area. Use the zip code tool on Hulu to check.
YouTube TV From $72.99 (month)CW availability may depend on your area. Use the YouTube TV zip code tool when signing up.
DirecTV Stream From $79.99 (month)CW availability may depend on your area. Use the zip code tool on the DirecTV Stream homepage to check.
*Live TV-only plan

Bypassing The CW Restrictions

If you travel abroad, you’ll no longer have access to these services because they’re restricted to the U.S. Furthermore, many services, including DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, require you to set your home network when you sign up and “check in” every so often.

The check-in time varies: For YouTube TV, you need to use it at least every three months in your home area, but for Hulu + Live TV, you need to check in every 30 days. You can typically continue to use live TV sites while traveling within the U.S. on mobile (the devices you can use while traveling may vary by service) for a certain period as long as you check in at home when requested.

It’s more complicated when you travel overseas because some services prompt you to enable location services on your device to stream. However, if your service does require location services to be enabled, this tactic won’t work because the system will recognize your GPS location. A VPN won’t be able to spoof your GPS location — only your IP address.

Downloading a GPS spoofer and then connecting to a VPN may work, though using a GPS spoofer may mean that you have to jailbreak or root your device. Our guide on changing your zip code on Hulu describes how to use a GPS spoofer. Luckily, you can still watch The CW on demand abroad with a VPN, so let’s get into how that works.

How to Watch The CW Free Online With a VPN

Whether you live outside the U.S. or travel overseas, you can still keep up with CW shows (with ads) on demand on the channel’s website/mobile app. The site is restricted to the U.S. only, but a VPN can help by changing your IP address. Here’s how to stream The CW website content when you’re not in the U.S.

The CW’s website does not have a live stream. Only on-demand content is available. In addition, for some shows, only the latest five episodes are made available. New episodes become available the day after they air.  

  1. Subscribe to a Reputable VPN

    Sign up for a plan with a reputable VPN provider on its website. We recommend NordVPN (which has a 30-day money-back guarantee), but we’ll go over more options farther down.

    nordvpn step 1
  2. Download and Install the VPN

    Head for the “download” tab on the provider’s website and select your device. Begin the download, then open the file to start the installation. If you’re on a mobile device, download the app from the App Store or Google Play store.

    download nordvpn
  3. Connect to a U.S. Server

    Open the app and connect to any server in the U.S. 

    nordvpn us server
  4. Stream The CW

    Launch The CW Network’s website, choose what you want to watch and start streaming. You do not need to create an account in order to watch.

    stream thecw

The Best VPNs to Stream The CW

Accessing The CW’s website from outside the U.S. is a breeze when you’ve got a fast and secure VPN provider like one of the following.

1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Streaming The CW

hulu nordvpn us
NordVPN is a secure VPN with the fastest and most consistent speeds on average.
Best Streaming VPN

Pros

  • Cheap long-term pricing
  • Excellent speeds
  • Very secure 

Cons

  • Finicky mobile app interface

Access your favorite shows from anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days and save 72%.

Download
90 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
3 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/19/25 to 02/16/25
Data for region:

NordVPN is our number one best cheap VPN recommendation thanks to its tempting long-term pricing. Though its monthly plans are expensive, the two-year plans are more affordable. Another pro of NordVPN is that you can pick from several plans with different features, so you can get exactly what you need. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Other pros of this service are its excellent speeds — the best on average — and strong security features. Its mobile app interface can take some getting used to, but the desktop interface is more straightforward. Click over to our NordVPN review for the finer details.

Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Complete
  • *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Prime
  • **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
  • 10

2. Surfshark — Best Budget Streaming VPN

surfshark us server

Pros

  • Strong security suite options
  • Solid security
  • Excellent speeds

Cons

  • Site may collect your real IP
  • High latency on close servers
  • No Mac/iOS split tunneling

Stream without limits — join Surfshark now and get 66% (plus 3 months free) off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download
94 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
3 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/19/25 to 02/16/25
Data for region:

Surfshark is a solid VPN for streaming. It has 22 U.S. locations to choose from and won’t slow your connection too much. This means you can stream The CW without any buffering. Surfshark’s also a very secure VPN, offering a range of security tools on top of the standard VPN privacy features.

This is also one of the most affordable VPN providers, if you get a longer subscription. The two-year plan costs just $2.19 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. Read our Surfshark review if your want to learn more.

Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

3. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Beginners

expressvpn us chicago
ExpressVPN is a secure, fast and reliable VPN provider that we’ve been using for years. 

Pros

  • Iron-clad security
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Unlocks streaming apps

Cons

  • Expensive

Bypass content blocks and save 25% — subscribe to ExpressVPN’s best deal today.

Download
84 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
8 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/19/25 to 02/16/25
Data for region:

We recommend opting for ExpressVPN if you’re new to VPNs and want something simple to use. It has excellent security and does well in our speed tests. It works with streaming services with no hassle and the app is organized in such a way that you simply can’t go wrong.

The reason it’s not our number one provider is simply because of the price. At $4.99 per month, even the two-year plan is expensive. Its 30-day money-back guarantee offers peace of mind when you subscribe, though. If you’re curious to learn more, check out our ExpressVPN review.

ExpressVPN Plans
  • Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 8
  • Yes

Best Free VPN for Watching The CW: Proton VPN

proton vpn service
Proton VPN lets you watch popular shows on The CW’s website with its free U.S. servers.

Pros

  • Unlimited free data
  • Very secure
  • U.S. server on free plan

Cons

  • Auto selects free servers
  • Only free servers in 5 countries

If you’re thinking of using a free VPN, make sure you choose one that’s truly secure. Proton VPN is one of our top free VPN recommendations for this reason, but also because its free plan has no data limits. This is a massive bonus for regular streamers because it means you don’t have to worry about using up too much data. 

That said, please note that Proton VPN has made some recent changes to its free plan. Those who download Proton VPN will have access to five free servers instead of three, and you won’t be able to choose the server you connect to. 

This means that whether you get a U.S. server will be down to luck, and the only option is to keep reconnecting to try and get the server you want. However, those with older accounts can still choose which server they connect to.

Proton VPN also has paid plans (with a 30-day money-back guarantee) if you want to access a more extensive server selection. If you have any questions, our full Proton VPN review should have the answers.

Free
  • Unlimited GB
  • 1
  • Yes
Proton VPN Plus
  • 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Proton Unlimited
  • **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10

The CW Network Shows

The CW Network is home to many renowned shows. Here’s a taste of what you can watch on demand on The CW’s website (not an exhaustive list).

Genre:Shows
🎭 Drama‘Dawson’s Creek’
‘Heartland’
‘Reign’
‘Melrose Place’ 
‘Sullivan’s Crossing’
‘All American’ 
😂 Comedy‘The Bernie Mac Show’
‘Son of a Critch’
‘The Greatest American Hero’
‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ 
🚀 Sci-fi/fantasy‘Lost Girl’
‘The Librarians’
‘Grimm’
‘The Rising’ 
🗡️ Thriller‘Heroes’
‘Flash Gordon’
‘Stargirl’
‘The Musketeers’ 

Final Thoughts

Though The CW’s website is geoblocked, with a good VPN, there’s no reason why those overseas can’t access it, too. We recommend NordVPN, as its the most capable streaming VPN. Trying NordVPN for a month is completely risk-free, as you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking it.

Those in the U.S. have plenty of options, including using an antenna or subscribing to certain live TV streaming services.

What’s your favorite CW show? Will a VPN help you watch it? Share your thoughts in the comments, and thanks for reading. 

FAQ: How to Watch The CW

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