Multistream transmissions are provided for user equipment (UE) including a transceiver configured to receive an L-layer data transmission that includes at least one codeblock (CB). The CB includes a length-N cyclic redundancy code (CRC). The transceiver is also configured to receive a downlink control information (DCI) associated with the data transmission. The UE further includes a processor operably connected to the transceiver. The processor is configured to decode the data transmission, the CRC, and the DCI. The data transmission includes one codeword (CW) when L is less than or equal to a threshold and two CWs when L is greater than the threshold.