The CW’s Superhero Series Arrow Became a PVOD Hit 14 Years Later

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As a huge CW fan, I’ve always loved how they create shows that really capture the teen experience – things like Gossip Girl, 90210, Supernatural, and Riverdale were all massive! But they’re also amazing at bringing comic book heroes to life on TV, and one show, in particular, really stood out…

Originally premiering in 2012, Arrow grew into a universe of interconnected shows on The CW, all based on DC Comics characters. Now, fourteen years later, the series is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as a successful title available for purchase on demand. As of January 31st, FlixPatrol reports that Arrow is the top show on iTunes in the United States.

Arrow was a television show that aired on The CW, featuring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, a crime-fighting vigilante known as Green Arrow. The show also starred Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, later known as Black Canary, Colin Donnell as Tommy Merlyn, David Ramsey as John Diggle, and Willa Holland as Thea Queen. Several of these characters went on to star in their own spin-off series.

Grant Gustin first appeared as Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, in Season 2 of Arrow within the episode “The Scientist.” Originally, The Flash was intended to be introduced as a backdoor pilot within Arrow, but Gustin’s performance as Barry Allen was so well-received that The CW decided to give The Flash its own traditional pilot episode when the series officially began.

After the success of Arrow, the Arrowverse expanded rapidly with the introduction of The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Black Lightning. These shows frequently featured large crossover events, weaving together a connected storyline that kept viewers engaged and helped the shows and their actors build a dedicated following.

Arrow Was an Instant Hit for The CW

Premiering on October 10, 2012, Arrow immediately became the most-watched new series. The show rapidly gained a dedicated following and received several awards, including a Teen Choice Award for Stephen Amell as Choice TV Actor: Action. Over eight seasons and 170 episodes, Arrow became a hugely popular show on The CW.

Arrow is well-received by both critics and audiences. Currently, it has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Season 2 being its strongest season, earning a 95% ‘Certified Fresh’ score. Viewers tend to agree, as Season 2 also has the highest audience score, with an 84% rating on the ‘Popcornmeter’.

Given how popular Arrow was when it originally aired, it’s not surprising it’s finding a new audience through on-demand viewing now. Some people are discovering the show for the first time, while others are revisiting a favorite they enjoyed during the series’ run, and further appreciating the larger Arrowverse, which has now concluded.

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2026-01-31 22:40