YouTube TV has revolutionized the way we watch television, offering a wide range of channels and on-demand content at an affordable price. However, some users may have noticed that The CW, a popular network known for its hit shows like “The Flash,” “Arrow,” and “Riverdale,” is not available on YouTube TV by default. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this limitation and provide a step-by-step guide on how to get CW on YouTube TV.
Why is CW not available on YouTube TV?
The CW is a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS, and its distribution rights are complex. In the past, The CW had a deal with Hulu to stream its content, but that agreement expired in 2016. Since then, The CW has been available on various streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the CW Seed app. However, its availability on live TV streaming services like YouTube TV has been limited.
The main reason for this limitation is the lack of a carriage agreement between The CW and YouTube TV. A carriage agreement is a contract between a network and a distributor that outlines the terms and conditions of content distribution. Without such an agreement, YouTube TV is not authorized to stream The CW’s content.
How to get CW on YouTube TV
While The CW is not available on YouTube TV by default, there are a few workarounds that can help you access its content. Here are a few methods:
Method 1: Use the CW Seed app
The CW Seed app is a free streaming service that offers a wide range of CW content, including current and past shows. You can download the app on your smartphone, tablet, or streaming device and watch CW shows for free with minimal ads.
To access the CW Seed app on YouTube TV, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube TV app on your device
- Navigate to the “Apps” section
- Search for “CW Seed” and select the app
- Download and install the app
- Launch the app and sign in with your CW Seed account
Note that the CW Seed app does not offer live TV streaming, so you won’t be able to watch CW shows in real-time. However, you can access a wide range of on-demand content, including full episodes and clips.
Method 2: Use a digital antenna
If you live in an area with good over-the-air (OTA) reception, you can use a digital antenna to watch CW shows for free. A digital antenna can pick up OTA signals from local broadcasters, including The CW.
To use a digital antenna with YouTube TV, follow these steps:
- Purchase a digital antenna that is compatible with your TV or streaming device
- Connect the antenna to your device
- Scan for channels to find your local CW affiliate
- Watch CW shows live or record them using YouTube TV’s DVR feature
Note that the availability of OTA signals depends on your location, so you may need to check the signal strength in your area before purchasing a digital antenna.
Method 3: Subscribe to a CW affiliate’s streaming service
Some CW affiliates offer their own streaming services that allow you to watch CW shows live or on-demand. These services may be available as an add-on to your YouTube TV subscription or as a standalone service.
For example, CBS All Access (now rebranded as Paramount+) offers a wide range of CW content, including current and past shows. You can subscribe to Paramount+ as an add-on to your YouTube TV subscription or as a standalone service.
To subscribe to a CW affiliate’s streaming service, follow these steps:
- Check the website of your local CW affiliate to see if they offer a streaming service
- Sign up for the service and create an account
- Download the app on your device and sign in with your account credentials
- Watch CW shows live or on-demand using the app
Alternative streaming services that offer CW
If you’re unable to get CW on YouTube TV using the methods above, you may want to consider alternative streaming services that offer CW content. Here are a few options:
- Hulu with Live TV: Hulu with Live TV offers a wide range of channels, including The CW. You can sign up for a free trial or subscribe to the service starting at $64.99/month.
- AT&T TV Now: AT&T TV Now offers a range of channels, including The CW. You can sign up for a free trial or subscribe to the service starting at $55/month.
- Philo: Philo is a streaming service that offers a range of channels, including The CW. You can sign up for a free trial or subscribe to the service starting at $20/month.
Note that these services may not offer all CW content, so be sure to check their channel lineups before signing up.
Conclusion
While The CW is not available on YouTube TV by default, there are several workarounds that can help you access its content. By using the CW Seed app, a digital antenna, or a CW affiliate’s streaming service, you can watch CW shows live or on-demand. Alternatively, you can consider alternative streaming services that offer CW content. We hope this guide has been helpful in unlocking CW on YouTube TV.
What is CW and why is it important to unlock it on YouTube TV?
The CW is a popular American television network that offers a wide range of TV shows, including dramas, comedies, and reality TV series. Unlocking CW on YouTube TV is important because it allows users to access their favorite CW shows, including Arrow, The Flash, and Riverdale, directly from the YouTube TV platform. This eliminates the need to switch between different apps or devices to watch CW content.
By unlocking CW on YouTube TV, users can also take advantage of YouTube TV’s features, such as cloud DVR, live TV, and on-demand content. This provides a more seamless and convenient viewing experience, allowing users to watch their favorite CW shows whenever and wherever they want.
Is CW available on YouTube TV in all areas?
The availability of CW on YouTube TV varies depending on the user’s location. CW is available in most areas, but there may be some regions where it is not available due to licensing restrictions. To check if CW is available in your area, you can visit the YouTube TV website and enter your zip code to see the available channels in your region.
If CW is not available in your area, you may want to consider using a VPN or a streaming service that offers CW content. However, please note that using a VPN to access geo-restricted content may be against the terms of service of some streaming services.
How do I unlock CW on YouTube TV?
To unlock CW on YouTube TV, you need to add the CW channel to your YouTube TV subscription. You can do this by going to the YouTube TV website, signing in to your account, and navigating to the “Live” tab. From there, you can search for CW and add it to your channel lineup.
Once you’ve added CW to your channel lineup, you can access CW content directly from the YouTube TV app. You can also use the YouTube TV app to record CW shows and watch them later using the cloud DVR feature.
Do I need to pay extra to unlock CW on YouTube TV?
In most cases, you don’t need to pay extra to unlock CW on YouTube TV. CW is included in the standard YouTube TV subscription package, which costs $64.99 per month. However, if you’re using a promotional or discounted subscription plan, you may need to upgrade to a standard plan to access CW content.
It’s worth noting that some YouTube TV add-ons, such as the “HBO Max” add-on, may include CW content. In these cases, you may need to pay an additional fee to access CW content.
Can I watch CW content on-demand on YouTube TV?
Yes, you can watch CW content on-demand on YouTube TV. In addition to live TV, YouTube TV also offers a range of on-demand content, including TV shows and movies. CW content is available on-demand on YouTube TV, allowing you to watch your favorite CW shows at any time.
To access on-demand CW content on YouTube TV, simply navigate to the “On Demand” tab and search for the CW show you want to watch. You can also use the YouTube TV app to browse through available CW content and add it to your watchlist.
Can I record CW shows on YouTube TV?
Yes, you can record CW shows on YouTube TV using the cloud DVR feature. The cloud DVR feature allows you to record live TV shows and watch them later at your convenience. To record a CW show on YouTube TV, simply navigate to the “Live” tab, find the CW show you want to record, and click the “Record” button.
Recorded CW shows are stored in your YouTube TV cloud DVR library, where you can access them at any time. You can also use the YouTube TV app to manage your recorded content, including deleting shows you’ve already watched.
Is CW content available in HD on YouTube TV?
Yes, CW content is available in HD on YouTube TV. YouTube TV offers high-definition streaming for most of its channels, including CW. This means you can watch your favorite CW shows in high definition, with clear and crisp video quality.
To ensure that you’re watching CW content in HD on YouTube TV, make sure your internet connection meets the recommended speed requirements for HD streaming. You can also check the YouTube TV app settings to ensure that HD streaming is enabled.