How to watch The CW outside the US in 2026
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The CW is home to popular TV series like All American and Superman & Lois. But if you're outside the United States, geo-restrictions will keep you from accessing The CW's online content. However, there’s a simple solution: a reliable VPN.
In this guide, I tell you exactly how to watch The CW online from anywhere using a VPN. With just a few steps you can unlock full access to The CW’s streaming library, no matter where you are. My top recommendation is NordVPN, thanks to its fast speeds, strong security, and a big network of US servers. Keep reading to find the easiest way to unblock The CW today.
How to watch The CW online with a VPN
- Download a capable VPN. NordVPN is my number one choice, now 75% OFF
- Install the VPN and create an account
- Connect to a server in the United States
- Visit The CW website, and you’ll now have full access
Why do you need a VPN to watch The CW online?
The CW’s online platform is the best place to catch up on all your CW favorites, but since it’s strictly a US TV channel, you can only access the site if you’re a US resident.
TV networks have exclusive programming agreements and licensing restrictions that dictate where content can be broadcast. To enforce these restrictions, streaming sites use geo-blocks. If your IP address doesn’t show up as being within the US, you’ll see a blank page when trying to stream on The CW.
To get past that annoying screen, all you need to do is change your IP address with a VPN – it’s easier than you think. The best VPNs enable you to connect to servers in thousands of locations, giving you a brand new IP address to unblock The CW content.
If you’re not familiar with VPNs, finding the right option could be a chore. However, to save you time, I’ve handpicked a selection of VPNs that supply the features, security, speed, and servers you need to unblock The CW and stay anonymous online.
Best VPNs to access The CW TV online
- NordVPN – best VPN for The CW
- Surfshark – excellent price-to-quality ratio VPN
- IPVanish – speedy VPN for The CW
After extensive research, I've shortlisted the top three American VPN providers that have servers in the US, are capable of bypassing regional blocks, and also provide high-level security while streaming.
1. NordVPN – the the best VPN for The CW TV
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Unblocks streaming services: | Yes |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Coupons: | NordVPN coupon 75% OFF |
NordVPN boasts an impressive server fleet that offers over 9,500 connections in 149 countries, including almost 2000 American servers.
During tests, NordVPN’s servers managed to get me into The CW every time, and it worked with other big streaming sites like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max.
NordVPN shields your data with market-leading AES-256 encryption. NordLynx protocol ensures lightning-fast speeds, and you don’t need to worry about the connection dropping and leaving you exposed – NordVPN’s kill switch will protect you.
NordVPN’s cheapest price plan is just $3.49 per month, and with our exclusive coupon code, you can get 75% off NordVPN.
For more information, read our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark – budget-friendly VPN for multiple users
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Unblocks streaming services: | Yes |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Coupons: | Surfshark coupon 85% OFF |
Surfshark is NordVPN’s big rival – it’s another top-quality VPN that managed to bypass The CW’s geo-blocks in our tests. It is also affordable. Now even cheaper with Surfshark promo code: OFFCN.
Over 4,500 global servers in 100 countries ensure you will always find a reliable connection. And Surfshark’s super-fast VPN speeds are ideal for buffer-free streaming, thanks to its WireGuard tunneling protocol.
This VPN gives you unlimited simultaneous connections, so while you’re using it to stream The CW, your housemate can use it to unblock Netflix US.
Surfshark offers unbeatable value for money, its cheapest subscription costs just $2.49 per month.
Read the full Surfshark review for more details.
3. IPVanish – lightning-fast VPN for streaming
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Unblocks streaming services: | Yes |
| Compatible with: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Coupons: | IPVanish coupon 83% OFF |
IPVanish boasts 3,400+ servers in 112 countries and is capable of bypassing geo-blocks on streaming platforms like The CW, Netflix US, Disney+, and others.
Thanks to the WireGuard protocol, it provides fast and stable connections. In addition, solid data encryption with the AES-25 cipher protects your online activities, and these are just a few reasons for choosing IPVanish.
IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can share this VPN with all your family and friends.
IPVanish costs as little as $2.19 per month on a regular price plan, but you can use our special discount coupon to get 83% off IPVanish.
Take a deeper look at our IPVanish review.
How to watch The CW TV live without cable
If you don’t have cable television, you can watch The CW TV on streaming platforms like Hulu and YouTube TV. Here’s a quick rundown of the streaming sites to use and how much they cost:
| Streaming provider | |
| Hulu + Live TV | From $82.99 |
| Fubo | From $74.99 |
| DirectTV | From $74.99 |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 |
Tip: If you’re not in America, you’ll still need to use a VPN to access these streaming sites.
How to watch The CW with a VPN on your device
Excited to stream The CW? With the right VPN, you’ll be able to watch The CW on all your devices. Whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, I'm going to show you how easy it is to unblock content with a VPN.
Watch The CW on your computer or smartphone
The following quick steps are all you need to do to watch The CW on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC:
- Download a VPN with apps for all major devices. NordVPN covers Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more
- Confirm your VPN subscription and launch the app on your chosen device
- Log in and connect to a US server
- Visit The CW website, and you’ll no longer be blocked
How to stream The CW on streaming devices
VPNs also work with streaming devices, like Roku, Firestick, Kodi, and AppleTV. You can’t download a VPN directly to most streaming sticks, but connect your router instead, and you’ll still get all the benefits. This is what you need to do:
- Download a VPN with many US servers to your PC. NordVPN has multiple US servers
- Open the VPN and connect it to your router’s Wi-Fi network
- Scroll through the server list and connect to a US server
- Find the CW app in your streaming stick’s menu
- You now have access to all of The CW’s online content
Check out these articles for more information on streaming sticks and VPNs:
- Recommended VPNs for Apple TV – stream The CW on Apple TV from outside the US
- Top-rated Kodi VPNs – these are the VPNs to use with Kodi
- VPNs for Firestick that won’t disappoint – stream The CW on Firestick today
- VPNs that work best with Roku – VPNs that always work with Roku
How to use The CW app with a VPN
If you want to download the CW app on your smartphone or tablet, you need to change your IP address with a VPN first. Follow these steps to unblock the content:
- Download a VPN to your mobile device. NordVPN has apps for iOS and Android
- Connect to a US server
- Go to your device’s app store and download the CW app
- Now you can use the CW app as if you were in America
How to watch The CW from any country with a VPN
The CW is officially only available for US residents, but you can get around that by using a VPN for streaming that bypasses geo-blocks. Then, no matter if you're in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, or anywhere else, you’ll get all the access.
- Find a VPN that operates US servers. NordVPN has 1000+ stateside connections
- Sign up for the VPN and download it to your device
- Connect to an American server
- Now that you’re set up with an American IP address, you can unblock The CW from anywhere
What can you watch on The CW?
The CW is a free TV channel that broadcasts exciting shows like All American and Wild Cards. The CW plays the latest episodes of hit shows just one day after they air on TV, and you can binge through box sets of shows that have already aired.
Here’s a taste of some of the great content you can watch on The CW.
| Title | Genre |
| Runaways | Superhero action |
| What Lies Below | Mystery drama |
| Edge of the World | Adventure fiction |
| All American | Sports drama series |
| 90210 | Teen drama |
| Lovers and Liars | Reality TV |
| Superman & Lois | Superhero drama |
Conclusion
The CW is a must-watch platform for anyone who enjoys exciting TV content and is a die-hard fan of All American, Superman & Lois, and other popular shows. However, if you’re a fan of these shows outside the US, you won’t be able to access The CW because it’s only available to viewers in the country.
Thankfully, a top-tier VPN, like NordVPN, can help you bypass regional restrictions and watch The CW outside the US in just a few clicks. It offers a massive server fleet, so changing your IP address will be a breeze.
While VPNs are excellent for streaming The CW from anywhere in the world, they also protect your identity and data and ensure you can enjoy your favorite content at really fast speeds.
FAQ
Can you watch The CW with a VPN?
Yes, you can easily watch The CW from anywhere with a capable VPN on your device. If you’re not in the US, use a top-rated VPN, like NordVPN, to change your IP address to a US location, and the CW website will be unblocked.
How can I watch The CW outside the US?
Whether you’re in the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, or anywhere else, all you need to do is install a trustworthy VPN, like NordVPN, on your device and connect to a US server, and then you’ll be able to access The CW and all of your favorite shows.
Is The CW app free to watch?
Yes, the CW app is completely free. You can watch shows like Superman & Lois, All American, and more great content, but to get access from outside of America, you’ll need a VPN, like NordVPN, that can change your IP address to a US location.
Which VPN is best for The CW app?
The best VPN to use on the CW app is NordVPN. It has over 9,500 servers overall and thousands in the US. It is capable of bypassing The CW geo-block and shield your security with high-level encryption and a kill switch.
What is the difference between The CW and CW Seed?
The CW mainly shows programming that is currently airing. CW Seed is where you find older shows and box sets of past CW entertainment, such as Whose Line Is It Anyway?. You can access both CW sites from anywhere in the world with a VPN.