The CW Showbiz Cheat Sheet

The CW
BRAZIL - 2019/05/21: In this photo illustration The CW Television Network (The CW) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The CW
The CW debuted in September 2006 after CBS and Warner Bros. teamed up to create a new TV network. Its name combines the first letter of "CBS" and "Warner Bros." Early on, the CW was best known for teen dramas, thanks to series such as Gossip Girl, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries. Later, the network saw success with genre programming, beginning with 2012's Arrow. The eight-season action-superhero drama earned accolades from critics and viewers alike. Its success spawned a whole universe — the Arrowverse — comprising seven TV series: Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman, and Superman & Lois. The CW's most popular current shows include the teen drama Riverdale, adapted from the Archie comics; the football drama All American; The Flash; the fantasy drama Legacies; the mystery series Nancy Drew; and the action/superhero drama Batwoman.
- Year founded: 2006
- Top programs: Riverdale, All American, The Flash, Legacies, Nancy Drew, Batwoman, DC's Stargirl
- How to watch: Direct local TV, the CW app, cable and satellite providers, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, the CW app, Netflix
- Cost: Free on direct local TV or the CW app, but only the latest few episodes; $8.99-$15.99 per month for the CW on Netflix, but not the most recent seasons; $64.99 per month via Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV for on-demand streaming
- Most popular original series, movies, and shows: Gossip Girl, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale, Arrow, Smallville
- Best known for: Action-superhero dramas, teen soaps
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Read more about the CW. Plus, stay up to date on shows:
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘Riverdale’: Is Archie the ‘Most Boring’ Character on the Show? Some Fans Think So
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘All American’: Daniel Ezra Listened to This Rapper to Perfect His American Accent
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘The Vampire Diaries’ Endings That Were Changed by Nina Dobrev’s Exit, Including Klaroline’s
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3 years ago
Grant Gustin Almost Cried After Watching This ‘The Flash’ Scene
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3 years ago
‘Batwoman’: Ruby Rose’s Former Costars Claim She’s a Liar Who Was Fired From the Show

Gossip Girl

Celebrity / TV

Chace Crawford Had a Leighton Meester Love-at-First-Sight Moment During ‘Gossip Girl’ Auditions

Chace Crawford took one look at Leighton Meester during 'Gossip Girl' auditions and thought she was 'perfect.'

by Mandi Kerr

Published on November 29, 2024

3 min read

Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, and Ed Westwick pose together at a 'Gossip Girl' event.

Chace Crawford’s Nate Archibald Was Originally Gossip Girl

'Who is Gossip Girl?' is a question the series finale answered—ahem, Lonely Boy—but an executive producer wanted another character as Gossip Girl, Nate Archibald.

by Mandi Kerr

Blake Lively on the set of 'Gossip Girl'.

Celebrity

Blake Lively Lost Excitement for Acting Because of ‘Gossip Girl’

Blake Lively briefly lost her interest in acting after doing ‘Gossip Girl’ for six long seasons.

by Antonio Stallings

A ‘Riverdale’ Movie Could Have Starred a Now-Disgraced Comedian as Archie

Some might be surprised to learn that a 'Riverdale' movie was almost made before the TV show.

by Ashley Swallow

Published on March 24, 2023

3 min read

Lili Reinhart Says She’ll Miss Betty — But Not ‘Riverdale’

Lili Reinhart has been honest about how she feels regarding 'Riverdale' ending. The Betty Cooper actor will miss her character, however.

by Produced by Digital Editors

‘Riverdale’ Star Ashleigh Murray Had $12 In Her Bank Account When She Auditioned For Josie

Ashleigh Murray was working to make ends meet when she landed her role in 'Riverdale.' The actor explains how she got the part.

by Robert Yaniz Jr.

‘Supernatural’ Is Giving Jared Padalecki the Same Parting Gift as Jensen Ackles

Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are both keeping a Chevy Impala from 'Supernatural,' but Padalecki is more excited about the classic car's features.

by Fred Topel

‘The Flash’: Ralph Dibney Will Return in Season 7, Says Showrunner — Here’s How

Ralph Dibney portrayer, Hartley Sawyer, was fired from 'The Flash' after some offensive tweets resurfaced. Here's how Ralph will still appear in season 7.

by Erika Delgado

Celebrity / TV

‘Supernatural’ Star Jared Padalecki Talks About His Final Scene With Jensen Ackles

Jared Padalecki discusses the last scene he's going to have with 'Supernatural' co-star Jensen Ackles as the series comes to an end after 15 years.

by Fred Topel

‘The Flash’ Season 7: Sue Dearbon Will Help Team Flash ‘In an Unexpected Way,’ Says Showrunner

With Hartley Sawyer out, fans wonder how Sue Dearbon might fit into the future of 'The Flash.' It turns out that she will play a key role in season 7.

by Erika Delgado

‘Supernatural’: Jared Padalecki Opens up About How Hard It Has Been To Say Goodbye To Sam Winchester

With the long-running CW show coming to an end, Jared Padalecki has had a tough time saying goodbye to 'Supernatural' and Sam Winchester.

by David Wysong

‘The Vampire Diaries’: Shooting Tyler’s First Werewolf Transition ‘Was a Marathon,’ Said Michael Trevino

'The Vampire Diaries' Michael Trevino played the hybrid heartthrob Tyler. The actor shared what it was like to create man-to-wolf transitions on screen.

by Erika Delgado

‘Girlfriends’: Why Did the Series End So Suddenly?

Girlfriends is a classic sitcom that broke many barriers for Black women on television. It was a staple of the early 2000s and remained one of the most popular shows on both UPN and The CW for many years. Although Girlfriends was critically acclaimed and an audience favorite, it ended suddenly in 2008 — leaving …

by Christina Nunn

‘The Flash’: 3 Questions Season 7 Needs to Answer

'The Flash' Season 6 left fans with plenty to ponder. With that in mind, here are three burning questions 'The Flash' Season 7 needs to answer.

by Erika Delgado

Entertainment

‘The Vampire Diaries’: Michael Trevino’s Favorite Storyline Might Surprise You

Michael Trevino has his own opinions about the way 'The Vampire Diaries' played out. And his favorite storyline from the show just might surprise you.

by Erika Delgado

Celebrity / TV

‘Supernatural’ Star Jensen Ackles Opens up About Mental Health

Jensen Ackles opens up about his struggles with mood, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and how fans inspired him to find purpose.

by Fred Topel

‘The Flash’: Will Barry Be Able to Create the New Speed Force in Season 7?

With 'The Flash' Season 7 on the horizon, fans are wondering if Barry will regain his powers. With that in mind, the showrunner gave a definitive answer.

by Erika Delgado

‘The Vampire Diaries’: Michael Trevino Auditioned to Play This Character Before Landing the Role of Tyler Lockwood

'The Vampire Diaries' star Michael Trevino confessed that he did not originally audition for the role of Tyler. Here's how the casting went down.

by Erika Delgado

Celebrity / TV

‘Supernatural’ Star Jensen Ackles Is Going To Upgrade the Impala After the Show Ends — Here Are the Changes He’s Making

Jensen Ackles is keeping the Impala from 'Supernatural,' but he's going to have to make some modifications to get it street worthy.

by Fred Topel

Celebrity / TV

Why Jensen Ackles Doesn’t Want a Role Too Different From ‘Supernatural’

15 years of sci-fi/horror wasn't enough. When 'Supernatural' ends, Jensen Ackles doesn't want to do anything too different.

by Fred Topel

‘The Flash: What Can Fans Look Forward to When the Show Returns?

'The Flash' is gearing up for season 7, which will tie up loose ends from the season 6 cliffhanger. Here’s what we know so far about next season's plot.

by Erika Delgado

Celebrity / TV

Jensen Ackles vs. Jared Padalecki: Which ‘Supernatural’ Star Has a Shorter Temper?

Jensen Ackles reveals who has the shorter temper on the 'Supernatural' set between him and his co-star of 15 years, Jared Padalecki.

by Fred Topel

‘The Vampire Diaries’ Star Michael Trevino Revealed His Favorite Scene Partners

'The Vampire Diaries' standout, Michael Trevino, confessed that when it came to sharing scenes with co-stars, he had his favorites.

by Erika Delgado

Celebrity / TV

‘Supernatural’ Star Jensen Ackles Reveals the Show Asked Bruce Campbell To Play This Role

'Supernatural' star Jensen Ackles reveals the casting that almost was. Here's the role they offered Bruce Campbell, and who played the part instead.

by Fred Topel

Celebrity / TV

‘Supernatural’ Star Jensen Ackles Confirms He’s Keeping This Winchester Item When the Show Ends

Jensen Ackles is back in Vancouver filming the final two episodes of 'Supernatural,' and now he knows one big Winchester souvenir he gets to keep.

by Fred Topel

‘The Flash’ Season 7 Theory: Will Cecile Get a Metahuman Power Boost?

'The Flash' Season 7 is on the horizon, and the first trailer hints at a few significant developments for Team Flash, including a juicy twist for Cecile.

by Erika Delgado

The CW

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