The CW launches Apple TV app, no cable login required

AppleInsider

Adding to an already successful mobile app offering, television network The CW updated both its iOS and tvOS apps on Thursday with new features like AirPlay support and the ability to stream shows without a cable login.

On iOS, The CW app hits version 2.13.1365, bringing with it streaming support for both Apple's AirPlay and Google's Chromecast.



Fourth-generation Apple TV owners, however, can bypass AirPlay streaming by downloading the network's tvOS app, which offers the same access to hit shows directly from the set-top box. Like the iOS iteration, The CW's tvOS app does not require a subscription, password or cable login, meaning there is no setup process to speak of.



With both iOS and tvOS versions, viewers have streaming access to ad-sponsored episodes of "The Flash," "Supergirl," "Jane The Virgin," "Arrow," "The Vampire Diaries," "Frequency," "iZombie," "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," "Supernatural," "The 100," "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "The Originals." In addition to full episodes, iOS device users can opt in to receive notifications about new shows and access extra content like behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews and more.



The CW apps for iOS and tvOS are free to download from their respective App Stores.

supadav03

Love the fact this app has all their shows with NO login required. 

cali

Wait a minute. Are you saying we can watch these ad-supported shows for "free"?

Now THAT is revolutionary.

*"free" is in parentheses because of ads. Not downplaying the news.

leavingthebigg

Call me skeptical, but what data is this app collecting and how is that data being used? Free without transparency from any company warns me that somehow an invasion of privacy is going on.

zeus423

I'm looking forward to using the CW app for Flash and Arrow. Hopefully other networks will get the hint that requiring logins is stupid and a pain.

glynh

U.S. only as usual I guess as I can't see it on the UK App Store?

sandor

this is progress... i can get, with their app, the same thing i can get with my antenna + PVR!
oh, except i can't run commercial skip software on it...

mike1

glynh said:

U.S. only as usual I guess as I can't see it on the UK App Store?

Why would you even think a US broadcast company with licenses and agreements to only broadcast in the US would be on the UK store?

techprod1gy

I hope everyone is sitting back and reflecting on the times we are in. We are witnessing the start of a whole new content viewing experience. It will take time but soon everyone will offer free to stream and then have a package for premium content on demand without cable subscription. This is going to be awesome.

mrboba1

leavingthebigg said:

Call me skeptical, but what data is this app collecting and how is that data being used? Free without transparency from any company warns me that somehow an invasion of privacy is going on.

They are making time-shifting available but will still run ads during the streaming shows. It's just like live TV, except when you want it. It's as free as live tv with a VCR (yeah - I went VCR) but without a FF button.

spice-boy

Yes there are ads but you don't need a $100plus cable bill to watch these .. um,, good shows. 

auxio

spice-boy said:

Yes there are ads but you don't need a $100plus cable bill to watch these .. um,, good shows. 

I can already do that (for CW and similar ad-supported networks) with my digital antenna.

mrboba1

AppleInsider said:

With both iOS and tvOS versions, viewers have streaming access to ad-sponsored episodes

@auxio - yeah but you can't do this ^

auxio

mrboba1 said:

AppleInsider said:

With both iOS and tvOS versions, viewers have streaming access to ad-sponsored episodes

@auxio - yeah but you can't do this ^

Yeah, I understand that the big benefit of the app is being able to stream & watch from anywhere (though I don't see the tvOS app in the App Store yet in Canada -- so it may be limited to US only, which isn't really anywhere).  I was mainly responding to the belief that you can only get CW in an expensive cable package (which isn't true).

EDIT: Yeah, looks like it's US only

crowley

leavingthebigg said:

Call me skeptical, but what data is this app collecting and how is that data being used? Free without transparency from any company warns me that somehow an invasion of privacy is going on.

What data can the zero-login app collect?  The shows that you're watching...  anything else?

jbdragon

auxio said:

spice-boy said:

Yes there are ads but you don't need a $100plus cable bill to watch these .. um,, good shows. 

I can already do that (for CW and similar ad-supported networks) with my digital antenna.

Yes, and so what!.  Many people can't just throw up a antenna, or can't get a signal where they are at.  What is the antenna going too do for you when away from home and wasn't too watch something?  I have a antenna also, and TiVo so I can record everything and then skip all the commercials and watch when I want.  I can stream my TiVo recordings too my iOS devices also at home or away from home.  Not everyone has that ability.  With the app, you at least have the ability to watch a program when you want, not limited to when it airs like normal with a antenna.