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The CW iOS App Review: Comprehensive Streaming With Notable Limitations

by The CW Network

3.3
IOSEntertainment
The CW's official iOS app provides free streaming access to current series, classic shows, movies, and live sports. While offering substantial content without subscription fees, technical issues and missing features impact user experience.

Detailed Review

The CW mobile application serves as the official streaming platform for The CW Network's content library on iOS devices. Positioned as a free ad-supported service, the app distinguishes itself by offering next-day access to current primetime programming without requiring cable authentication or subscription fees, unlike many competing network apps. The application's core functionality centers around providing immediate access to The CW's current programming lineup including shows like All American, Walker, and Wild Cards, alongside deep catalog content such as Grimm and Marvel's Runaways. The platform also incorporates a growing movie collection and live sports coverage, particularly LIV Golf tournaments and Inside the NFL segments. Content organization follows standard streaming conventions with separate sections for series, movies, and sports, though navigation occasionally suffers from inconsistent categorization. User experience presents a mixed implementation. The interface employs a clean, visually-driven design with prominent artwork and intuitive scrolling mechanisms. However, real-world usage reveals persistent technical issues, particularly regarding ad integration and playback synchronization. Many users report needing to restart content after commercial breaks due to audio-video desynchronization, significantly disrupting viewing sessions. The absence of Picture-in-Picture functionality, a standard iOS feature, further limits multitasking capabilities during viewing. User feedback consistently highlights both content satisfaction and technical frustrations. Willett246 noted on May 19, 2025 that the app 'doesn't have the pip option Apple phones have' while still rating the experience positively. Madatgree's review from May 4, 2025 detailed recurring playback issues: 'every time I start the show... I have to close out and back in after the ads are done because the audio and visual don't match up.' These technical shortcomings appear consistently across recent reviews despite the app's strong content offering. The application succeeds as a cost-effective solution for accessing The CW's current programming lineup without subscription barriers. Its strengths lie in comprehensive content availability and zero-cost access model. However, persistent technical issues regarding ad implementation and missing iOS-standard features like Picture-in-Picture significantly diminish the user experience. The app best serves viewers prioritizing free access to The CW's specific content library over technical reliability and advanced viewing features.

Key Features

  • Next-day access to current primetime episodes without subscription requirements, enabling free viewing of newest content
  • Comprehensive back catalog including acquired series and original programming, providing extensive binge-watching options
  • Live sports streaming for LIV Golf tournaments and football coverage through Inside the NFL segments
  • Growing movie collection featuring various genres, expanding beyond television content offerings
  • User profiles and watchlist functionality for personalized content tracking across multiple series

Why Users Love It

Free access to current content
Comprehensive sports coverage

Perfect for: CW network fans seeking free access to current and classic programming

Screenshots

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User Reviews

Willett246
May 19, 2025

Is nice, but doesn’t have the pip option Apple phones have. Will love if they add this feature. Good app lack apple pip feature Is nice, but doesn’t have the pip option Apple phones have. Will love if they add this feature.

Madatgree
May 4, 2025

I would’ve loved to have given you five stars but every time I start the show that I want to watch or continue I have to close out and back in after the ads are done because the audio and visual don’t match up. I wish that you wouldn’t have subtitles opening with the app people who want the subtitles should be able to put it in. That might be part of the reason, but it’s not the whole reason again the audio does not match the mouth until I close out and open it back up, so therefore makes it very annoying. Thank you for putting runaways back on your app, but the audio is still not synced up with the mouth movement after your ads. Audio and visual don’t match up I would’ve loved to have given you five stars but every time I start the show that I want to watch or continue I have to close out and back in after the ads are done because the audio and visual don’t match up. I wish that you wouldn’t have subtitles opening with the app people who want the subtitles should be able to put it in. That might be part of the reason, but it’s not the whole reason again the audio does not match the mouth until I close out and open it back up, so therefore makes it very annoying. Thank you for putting runaways back on your app, but the audio is still not synced up with the mouth movement after your ads.

App Details

Developer

The CW Network

Platform

ios

Rating

3.3

Last Updated

9/7/2025