The CW’s Slate for Music Discovery: Fresh Takes, Renewals, and Old Favorites

The CW network was launched in 2016 and has been home to some of the most popular TV series of its era. Shows such as Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, All American, and Riverdale have all aired on The CW. Many of these series have been very prominent in the sync industry, and therefore popular on Tunefind. The network’s name is an abbreviation derived from the first letters of the names of its two parent corporations at the time of its founding: “C” for CBS Corporation and “W” for Warner Bros. Entertainment. 

A new era of The CW may be amongst us after the network has been acquired with majority ownership by the Nexstar Media Group. It’s been rumored that incoming president, Dennis Miller will likely change things up with a new primetime slate of shows. As the autumn season is beginning to unfold, Tunefind fans have been watching a combination of not only returning CW series, but some brand new ones as well. Below, Tunefind talks about The CW’s returning, new, and recently canceled series, and their often popular soundscapes.

Fresh Takes

Music Supervisor: Justin Kamps

Supernatural fans, rejoice! The Winchesters premiered on October 10, 2022 was The CW’s most-watched debut this season in total viewers. The Winchesters is a prequel to the fan favorite, Supernatural. This spin off is centered on John and Mary – Dean and Sam Winchester’s parents. Dean, as the narrator, tells the story of how John met Mary and then went on to save the world. 

Most Popular song from The Winchesters premiere:

Supernatural is well-known for its use of classic rock favorites and has spawned some fantastic playlists, music supervised by Alexandra Patsavas and Justin Kamps. Supernatural was, for the most part, set in current times and much of the playlist for the series was inspired by the characters tendency to favor rock music of the ’80s and ’90s. The Winchesters, however is set in the ’70s, and could easily influence the music choices. Follow The Winchesters on Tunefind to see how the series soundscape is shaped. 

Most Popular song from Supernatural:

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Music Supervisor: Michelle Johnson

Walker: Independence is a prequel to Walker and premiered on The CW on October 6, 2022. This origin story follows Abby Walker, an affluent Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while on their journey out West, as she crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins, a lovable rogue in search of purpose. Abby and Hoyt’s journey takes them to Independence, Texas, a small town with a big future. Unlike its predecessor, Walker: Independence is set in the late 1800s and provides the opportunity to create an even more refined, potentially antique, country sound. Follow Walker: Independence on Tunefind to see how the series soundtrack is shaped. 

Most Popular song from the Walker: Independence premiere:

Walker aired on The CW in January of 2021 and is a reboot of the 1990s western drama television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Cordell Walker, played by Jared Padalecki, is a widower and father of two with his own moral code. He returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home. Walker, set in current days Austin, Texas, offers a soundscape rich in country music with just the right amount of blues. Walker is music supervised by Maggie Phillips and Tom Vale. This soundtrack offers a good amount of smooth alternative tunes that brings the listener just the right amount of southern charm.

Most Popular song from Walker Season 2:

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Renewals

The following series have been renewed by The CW.

Music Supervisor: Madonna Wade-Reed

All American premiered on The CW on October 10, 2018 and has since been popular amongst Tunefind fans. All American is inspired by the life of professional football player Spencer Paysinger and described as, “Two worlds collide when a star football player from Crenshaw is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High.” The series is currently airing its 5th season which premiered on October 10, 2022.

Most Popular song from All American Season 4:

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Music Supervisor: Madonna Wade-Reed (S1) and Aamina Gant (S2)

All American: Homecoming is a spin-off of All American, and it premiered on The CW on February 21, 2022. The series follows the journeys of Simone Hicks, a tennis hopeful from Beverly Hills, and elite baseball player Damon Sims from Chicago, as they navigate life at the prestigious HBCU Bringston University. The series is currently airing its 2nd season which premiered on October 10, 2022.

Most Popular song from All American: Homecoming Season 2:

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Music Supervisor: Madonna Wade-Reed (S1) and Laura Webb (S1–3)

Kung Fu  is an American martial arts action-adventure series and is a present-day adaptation of the 1970s series of the same title. Kung Fu premiered on The CW on April 7, 2021. The series follows Nicky and her extracurricular crime-fighting. Nicky is finally comfortable and at peace in San Francisco until the reemergence of sinister billionaire Russell Tan. The series is currently airing its 3rd season which premiered on October 5, 2022.

Most Popular song from Kung Fu Season 2:

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Music Supervisor: Chris Mollere

DC’s Stargirl premiered on DC Universe on May 18, 2020 and was aired on The CW the following day. DC’s Stargirl follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore as she inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to stop the villains of the past. The series is currently airing its 3rd season which premiered on August 31, 2022, on The CW.

Most Popular song from Stargirl Season 2:

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Music Supervisor: Season Kent

Superman & Lois premiered on The CW on February 23, 2021. After years of facing megalomaniacal supervillains, the world’s most famous superhero and comic books’ most famous journalist come face-to-face with one of their greatest challenges ever – being working parents in today’s society. Season 2 wrapped in June 2022 and the series has been renewed for a 3rd season. Season 3 will likely air in 2023.

Most Popular song from Superman & Lois Season 2:

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Final Season Renewals

Music Supervisor: Brittany Whyte

Riverdale is a supernatural horror/crime drama series based on the characters of Archie Comics. Riverdale premiered on January 26, 2017, and has been very music-centric, naturally making it a Tunefind fan favorite. Riverdale has often topped Tunefind charts and it’s clear that this series has made its mark in the world of music discovery. Riverdale is a subversive take on the wholesome town and its residents, including Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead, as they discover the darkness and dangers that bubble underneath their town’s wholesome facade. Season 6 wrapped in July 2022 and the series has been renewed for a 7th season, that will serve as its last.

Most Popular song from Riverdale Season 6:

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Music Supervisor: Season Kent

The Flash is based on characters from DC’s The Flash and follows Barry Allen as he takes on the persona of The Flash, the fastest man alive, to protect his city. The Flash premiered on October 7, 2014 and has aired for 8 seasons on The CW. Season 8 wrapped in June 2022 and the series has been renewed for a 9th season, which will serve as its final season. Season 9 will consist of 13 episodes and is expected to air in early 2023.

Most Popular song from The Flash Season 8:

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From the Vault

Some of these CW shows haven’t aired a new episode in over a decade, and some said goodbye more recently, but what they all have in common is that they had Tunefind fans seeking out the soundtrack. These are the shows that kept fans coming back for more amazing music to fill up their playlists. Be sure to follow your favorites on Tunefind, new and old, to keep discovering new music to love.