# The CW — user reviews > 338 indexed App Store user reviews of The CW by The CW Network, rated 3.30/5 from 21,695 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-cw/id491730359/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-cw/id491730359.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8,616 · 4★ 2,583 · 3★ 2,257 · 2★ 2,126 · 1★ 6,113 ## What do users think of The CW? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Free streaming service - 🔍 Wide variety of shows - 📺 Convenient way to watch missed episodes **Cons** - ⏱️ Too many repetitive ads - 🔀 Inconsistent episode tracking and resume functionality - 🤯 Buggy playback and app crashes - 🔍 Limited episode availability per show **Commonly reported bugs** - Playback stalling and freezing issues - Incorrect episode resume points - Orientation and layout problems on tablets **Most requested features** - Ability to watch full seasons of shows - Improved episode resume and tracking - Reduced ad frequency and more variety ## Newest reviews (18 of 338) ### 4/5 — Missing show episodes *2026-08-14, version 4.21.2* The show wildfire has missing episodes at the end of season 2. There’s only 10 on the season. Can tell once starting season 3 that I’ve missed content. ### 3/5 — Good but needs help *2026-07-28, version 4.20.3* Love that the movies and app aren’t expensive like some other streaming apps, but lately random movies won’t play at all. What is this about? It would at least be good to be able to rate the movies like you can on Netflix’s so you know which ones not to try again and remember the ones you do really like. ### 3/5 — Disappointed *2026-07-27, version 4.20.3* This app needs Some serious tweaking! It’s hard to navigate. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t Load Episodes *2026-07-02, version 4.20.3* I have the CW app on my TV, and this is the only app that either will only play one episode before getting stuck loading the next one or doesn’t load at all. I suspect it gets stuck when loading the ads. So, it sucks for anyone who doesn’t want to or can’t pay for the numerous subscriptions just to watch a series they like or might like. For me, this sucks because the CW is the only place where I can watch this one tv series. No other service has it for free to watch. Anyway, their troubleshooting page on their support website is of no help. I’ve done each step and it does nothing to fix the problem. - Reinstalling the app? Still won’t load episodes. - Restarting the tv? Still won’t load the episodes. - Check internet connection? It works fine, and the app still won’t load the episodes. I really hope they reprogram their app because this issue seems to be a problem for many people no matter what device they are using. ### 1/5 — Repetitive commercials *2026-06-22, version 4.20.3* I don’t mind having commercials but it literally plays the same commercial like 3-4 times during every break it’s so annoying ### 1/5 — THE WORST APP EVER *2026-06-10, version 4.20.0* Let me tell you a little story, about how The CW ruined my life. I have been watching a television series on Netflix, but it ended on season three with a cliffhanger. I was really upset to find this out so I did some research and looked on Apple TV for the rest of the series. It sent me to CW and so I downloaded the app and signed up. I was really excited to be able to finish my show. I opened the app and clicked the episode I was on but then the stupid app malfunctioned and wouldn’t let me watch it. The malfunction did not occur on my end. I have full Wi-Fi and my iPad has been working perfectly. I do not recommend this is the most stupid app I’ve ever used. Whoever is in charge fix ASAP. I am usually not a harsh person, but I have never been so annoyed over an app. This is so ridiculous! FIX NOW! Also cw is such a ridiculous name for a network!!! ### 1/5 — No longer works *2026-06-07, version 4.20.0* I can’t watch any show on this app nor on the app for Roku. Every single show either circles or comes up with msg that something went wrong. Terrible app. Of course in the mid season of show I watch. ### 2/5 — Riddles with ads *2026-06-03, version 4.20.0* I stopped watching the CW app a couple years ago because there were more ads than there was tv show. One show had 14 ads run in a row during one episode. We recently tried again and were surprised that the first few episodes of Sullivan’s Crossing Season 4 had far fewer and a much more reasonable amount of ads. So we kept watching. Then around episode 4 or 5 after getting hooked on the season, there are frequent 2+ minutes of commercials every few minutes, totally ruining the show. You can barely get through a scene before the same repetitive ads come on over and over. So after giving it a second chance, we won’t be watching this app any longer, ever again. It’s easier to wait until the season releases on Netflix rather than have to deal with an absolutely nauseating amount of ads. ### 2/5 — Have trouble watching season one of Sight unseen. *2026-05-31, version 4.20.0* Having trouble watching Sight unseen on the app. The ads load. First one plays. The next ad just spins. I’ve tried all the recommend fixes. Also other programs play fine. Please fix. ### 2/5 — ?.. *2026-05-29, version 4.20.0* Really like The CW, and all the shows and variety it has and love to be able to view the channels part of The CW especially ion. But the past three days the only thing I can view are the channels. it will not play back any episodes of any shows even the older ones all it says is something went wrong. This is happening on my Vizio TV my Apple iPad and my Phillips Google TV. would really love to be able to watch the latest episodes and can’t. ### 1/5 — Update didn’t fix *2026-05-26, version 4.20.0* Still won’t load show ### 1/5 — Horrid *2026-05-26, version 4.20.0* Just doesn’t work without paying horrible ### 1/5 — Horrible commercials every sec *2026-05-25, version 4.20.0* Disgusting ### 1/5 — Bugs *2026-05-25, version 4.20.0* Buggiest streaming service I have ever used. Constant buffering for minutes and having to restart the app many times within only 20 minutes of something. Horrible streaming ### 1/5 — screw CV *2026-05-21, version 4.20.0* its so bad.. i dont recommend guys. its just a waste of promo time. ads over ads over ads literally. this is unfair. i feel betrayed. i am getting flashbacks when my father betrayed me. and would lie to me all the times. this is unacceptable. The CW app says its free. and its not FREE! ITS FALSE information. guys dont fall for it please.. this really effected my perspective on CW. thank you ### 1/5 — Won’t work on muiltple devices *2026-05-19, version 4.19.2* We have been trying to watch shows on this app an it keeps saying can’t watch replay or doesn’t load at all. Please fix ur app. I can watch live tv sometimes but that’s it ### 1/5 — Terrible. Free. *2026-05-13, version 4.19.2* More frustrating than it is worth! There’s no fast forward, even with 8 commercials breaks per episode…of the saaaame commercials. It glitches constantly. It gets stuck on the “next episode” countdown and won’t let you actually watch the episode you are trying to watch! I throw the remote because of this app. Hopefully another platform picks up Dark Matter for Season 4! ### 1/5 — Non functional *2026-05-07, version 4.19.2* Horrible App. Does not work on iPhone or Roku TV ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — HORRIBLE *2026-08-18, version 4.21.2* This app is horrible and freezes every commercial!!!!! ### 1/5 — ? *2026-08-12, version 4.21.2* Not working ### 1/5 — All of the negative reviews are right!! *2026-08-09, version 4.21.2* There are about 5 two minute long non-skippable ads per episode, and the app lags and freezes constantly!! Even after closing the app, restarting the episode, and even restarting my device, the episodes will not play. ### 1/5 — No longer functioning *2026-07-31, version 4.20.3* It is a real shame, because The CW has some great programs. It was always glitchy: Content Playback Error was frequent. Now that Nexstar has branded The CW, it is not working at all. Ads play, but display Ad Error. You might try to play something you like, but then it says: Content Playback Error. It is a real shame that the new media owners fail at operating. Kinda like the flaws in decision-making trickle down and ruin things for the majority. Makes me feel blue. 31 July 2026 ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-07-27, version 4.20.3* Just when you thought streaming couldn’t be worse… ### 1/5 — trash app *2026-07-15, version 4.20.3* i wish i could rate a app negative stars the app sucks its glitchy and almost unusable ### 1/5 — Way to many ads *2026-07-14, version 4.20.3* Every episode has at least five 2 minute and 30 second ads all throughout the episode and no way to watch ad free ### 1/5 — Utter garbage *2026-07-10, version 4.20.3* I can't watch Dark Matter at all. It just loads endlessly. I've tried upgrading and reinstalling the app and it makes no difference. ### 1/5 — Ads *2026-07-08, version 4.20.3* Way too many ads. The show will only run for 10 minutes or less and then more ads will come on. ### 1/5 — Live tv *2026-07-04, version 4.20.3* Find a way to broadcast live TV on the app. The Nascar O’Rielly series is exclusive on the CW but cannot watch due to not having live tv in app. Not paying $80 a month for YouTube tv. Also not available via antenna in my area ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — All American *2026-08-14, version 4.21.2* This latest episode was great, a very powerful storyline. Writers did an awesome job with this week episode. I’ve watched it three times since it aired. Please don’t cancel this show. ### 5/5 — Very good *2026-06-04, version 4.20.0* Awesome app you can watch a lot of shows on it and even though you can’t go on other apps while watching the shows it’s still a very good app ### 5/5 — Korean *2026-04-26, version 4.19.0* Karin ### 5/5 — Update *2025-12-13, version 4.17* Thank you for the new update now we can log in and add our favorite movies and shows love the app more now ❤️❤️ thank you so much 😍😍 ### 5/5 — .. *2025-10-31, version 4.16.1* Please can you add favorite movies and shows section ### 5/5 — my review. *2025-08-21, version 4.15.1* I love this apppp , definitely recommend ### 5/5 — Underrated Sports Media 🧐 *2025-06-21, version 4.14.2* don’t underestimate their media offering - seems to be improving visa vi Nascar ❤️🏎️📽️ ### 5/5 — This app is great *2025-05-31, version 4.14.2* Please keep the tv show Grimm on the app ### 5/5 — Goat status *2025-04-28, version 4.14.2* All American is the greatest show to grit his earth ### 5/5 — CW is doing things right. *2025-03-20, version 4.13.3* I wish there was an ad free version. However it’s a nice refresh not to have to log in, or have to create an account and all the extra. CW makes it super easy just to watch content. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*