The CW App supports several ways to watch on a bigger screen, but depending on how you're connecting and what you’re trying to watch, some limitations may apply due to content protection technology.
Here’s what to know:
Casting from the CW App
If you're using an iPhone or Android device, you can cast to most cast-enabled TVs or devices (like Apple TV, Chromecast, or a smart TV) as long as everything is on the same Wi-Fi network.
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Casting is supported for on-demand episodes
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Casting is not currently supported for Channels
You’ll typically see the Cast icon in the upper right of the video player when casting is available.
Note: On iPhones, this “casting” may route through Apple’s AirPlay system, depending on the device, but it still works the same way.
Screen Mirroring
You can try screen mirroring from your phone, tablet or computer (by using AirPlay, Screen Mirroring or Smart View), but DRM protection may limit what you can view.
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On-demand episodes are protected and will appear as a black screen
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Channels may display normally
Why Some Content Won’t Display
The CW App uses Digital Rights Management (DRM) and High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) to prevent unauthorized copying of shows and episodes.
These protections can block playback in some setups - especially when using HDMI cables, screen mirroring, or older devices.
Common issues:
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"Cannot play video – this device does not support secure video playback"
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Black screen during playback when mirroring or using adapters
What you can try:
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Reverse or replace your HDMI cable
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Remove any HDMI splitters or adapters
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Update your browser, drivers, or operating system
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Try a different connection method (like casting directly from the CW mobile app)
But I can watch content on other sites and streaming apps?
Many sites and apps have different content protection requirements and implement DRM in a variety of ways. Because of this, behavior may differ across platforms, even if you’re using the same device or browser.
Still Need Help?
Let us know your setup (device model, OS version, and how you're trying to watch) and we’ll do our best to get you back to streaming. You can also visit this page to see all of the supported options for streaming The CW on different devices: https://cwtv.com/apps