The Complete 2026 Guide to Cutting the Cord in Canada
The average Canadian cable bill hit $100/month in 2026. Streaming the same content now costs a fraction of that — and in most cases, you won't miss a single show. Here's exactly how to make the switch.
Step 1: Calculate what you're actually paying for cable
Before switching, list every channel you actually watch each week. Most Canadians find they regularly use fewer than 15 channels — but their cable package includes 200+.
| Expense | Cable (typical) | Streaming equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Base package | $60–$80/mo | $0 (free apps) |
| Premium channels (sports, movies) | $20–$40/mo | $14–$20/mo (Crave, TSN+) |
| PVR/box rental | $10–$20/mo | $0 (built-in to device) |
| Installation/equipment | $100–$200 once | $30–$130 once (streaming device) |
| Monthly total | $90–$140/mo | $14–$50/mo |
Step 2: Get the essential free Canadian apps
Before spending anything, set up these completely free Canadian streaming apps. They cover most broadcast TV:
- CBC Gem — CBC and Radio-Canada shows, live CBC News, free documentaries. Free with ads.
- CTV — CTV shows, live CTV News, some US network content. Free with ads.
- Global TV — Global shows, live news, US network content. Free with ads.
- City TV — City programming, US shows, free with ads.
- ICI TOU.TV — French-language programming from Radio-Canada. Free tier + paid EXTRA.
- Pluto TV — 200+ live channels including news, sports highlights, and movies. 100% free.
The streaming device you need to run all of these apps
Every app listed above is available on Roku and Fire TV devices at Visions Electronics. The $29.99 Roku Stick is enough to access all free Canadian content.
Step 3: Choose your paid subscriptions
You won't need all of these — pick based on what you actually watch:
- Netflix ($17–$23/mo) — the biggest library; essential for most households.
- Crave ($10–$20/mo) — HBO content, Showtime, Canadian originals. Worth it for drama lovers.
- Disney+ ($14/mo) — Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic, and the Star content library.
- Amazon Prime Video ($9/mo, included with Prime) — solid library, good originals.
- Apple TV+ ($9/mo) — small but high-quality library of originals.
- TSN+ / Sportsnet+ ($20–$25/mo) — for live Canadian sports including NHL, CFL, and more.
A typical cord-cutting household needs Netflix + one or two others: total $30–$50/month — far less than cable.
Step 4: Handle live local news and sports
This is the question most Canadians ask. The answer is simpler than you think:
- Local news: CBC Gem, CTV, and Global all offer live streams of their national and local newscasts — completely free.
- NHL hockey: TSN+ and Sportsnet+ carry nearly all NHL games. Regional blackout rules still apply, but for most Canadians coverage is comprehensive.
- CFL & other sports: TSN+ covers CFL, international soccer, and more.
- Olympics & major events: CBC streams major events live on CBC Gem at no cost.
Step 5: Set up your streaming device
Plug the device into your TV's HDMI port
Streaming sticks plug directly in. Boxes (like the Roku Ultra) connect via the included HDMI cable.
Connect to your home Wi-Fi
Follow the on-screen setup — most devices walk you through this in under 3 minutes.
Create or log into your account
Roku requires a free Roku account. Fire TV uses your Amazon account.
Install your Canadian apps
Search for CBC Gem, CTV, Crave, Netflix, etc. in the app store — all are free to download.
Cancel your cable subscription
Call your provider and cancel. You may be offered a loyalty deal — weigh it against your streaming total.