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
Visit the CW website.
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
Entertainment
3 years ago
Grant Gustin Almost Cried After Watching This ‘The Flash’ Scene
Entertainment
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.

‘One Tree Hill’: Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Hilarie Burton Morgan Talk Inequality on the Teen Drama — ‘We Were Accessories for the Boys’

'One Tree Hill' stars Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Hilarie Burton Morgan opened up about the show's inequality between male and female characters.

by Elise Nelson

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Villain Is ‘Plotting His Comeback’ Teases Adam Rayner

'Superman & Lois' star Adam Rayner dishes on Tal-Rho, aka Morgan Edge's return in season 2 and teases the Kryptonian villain isn't done plotting just yet.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Showrunner Confirms David Ramsey Will Return as John Diggle in Season 2

'Superman & Lois' just can't get enough of David Ramsey. The actor is scheduled to appear as his iconic Arrowverse character John Diggle in a future season 2 episode.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Showrunner Confirms There Are ‘Multiple’ Villains in Season 2, and ‘They Start to Merge’

Smallville is about to be overrun with villains in 'Superman & Lois' Season 2, according to showrunner Todd Helbing, so fans can now start speculating who the Big Bads might be.

by Sarah Little

Nina Dobrev accepts the Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi Award for 'Vampire Diaries' onstage during the Teen Choice Awards in 2015

‘The Vampire Diaries’: Nina Dobrev Revealed Why She Left the Show in an Instagram Post, ‘I Wanted Elena’s Story to Be a 6 Season Adventure’

Before 'The Vampire Diaries' said goodbye to Elena Gilbert in the season 6 finale, Nina Dobrev took to Instagram to announce her departure from the show.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

‘Riverdale’ Season 6 Return Affected By the CW’s Schedule Shake-Up — Here’s the New Date

The CW has changed some of its winter premiere dates, including 'Riverdale' Season 6's mid-season return. Here's when to watch the premiere.

by Elise Nelson

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Season 2: The Final Shot of Episode 1 Is an Homage to a Classic Comic Book Cover

Doomsday has arrived in Smallville in 'Superman & Lois' Season 2, and, according to showrunner Todd Helbing, the final scene in episode 1 directly reflects a comic book cover.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’: General Lane’s Return Won’t Be Good for the Boys Teases Showrunner

The 'Superman & Lois' Season 2 premiere didn't feature General Lane. But the showrunner teases, Lane will be back soon, and he'll do something shady with his grandsons.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Arrow’ Star David Ramsey Is Set to Reprise His Role as John Diggle in ‘Justice U’ on The CW

Arrowverse fans might start to see David Ramsey as John Diggle on a more permanent basis because he is starring in a new show called 'Justice U' on The CW.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’: Is Natalie Irons in DC Comics?

'Superman & Lois' introduced viewers to John Henry Iron's daughter, Natalie Irons. And many are wondering if she's a character from DC Comic books.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Naomi’: The DC Comics Superhero Is More Powerful Than Batman

The CW's new show, 'Naomi,' introduces viewers to a relatively new DC Comic book superhero. She has God-like abilities, making her more powerful than Batman.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Season 2 Premiere Recap: Is Smallville Doomed After Episode 1?

The Kents are back and so is the drama in 'Superman & Lois' Season 2. The premiere featured friction between Clark and Lois, and the episode introduced a new threat.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

Why The CW’s ‘Naomi’ Isn’t Part of the Arrowverse

The CW's latest series, 'Naomi,' is based on DC Comics' characters. But as revealed by showrunner Ava DuVernay, the new show won't be part of the Arrowverse.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Batwoman’ Star Javicia Leslie Dishes on Season 3, Romance for Ryan, and What She’s Looking Forward to When the Series Returns [Exclusive]

'Batwoman' star Javicia Leslie shares highlights from working on season 3, whether she'd like to see a Ryan and Sophie romance, and what she's looking forward to when the show returns.

by Amanda Mullen

Gaming & Comics

‘Naomi’: The CW Show Will Differ from the DC Comics

'Naomi' is based on a DC Comics character. But according to showrunner AVav DuVernay, the CW series will feature a slightly different story arc than the comics.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Season 2: An ‘Agents of SHIELD’ Star Is Stepping Behind the Camera to Direct a ‘Big Episode’

A 'Superman & Lois' and 'Agents of SHIELD' crossover is happening behind the scenes of season 2 of The CW show. A Marvel star is directing an episode of the series.

by Sarah Little

Gaming & Comics

What Happens to ‘Arrowverse’ Shows If WarnerMedia Sells The CW?

WarnerMedia and CBS are reportedly trying to sell The CW. But fans want to know what happens to The CW's Arrowverse shows if the network is sold.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Season 2 Villain Will Be a ‘Massive Headache’ for Clark

Ahead of the 'Superman & Lois' season 2 premiere, the series showrunner Todd Helbing teases the coming episodes will inroduce the superhero to multiple villains.

by Mishal Ali Zafar

Gaming & Comics

‘Nancy Drew’ Season 3 Mid-Season Return Date, What to Expect, and Where to Watch New Episodes

'Nancy Drew' Season 3 will soon return from its mid-season hiatus. Here's when and where to watch the newest episodes and what to expect.

by Elise Nelson

Gaming & Comics

‘Superman & Lois’ Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and How to Watch

The first season of 'Superman & Lois' received rave reviews from fans and critics alike, and, now, the show is back for season 2 and promises to be crazier than ever.

by Sarah Little

The CW

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