Short answer: there is no single streaming service in Canada that has everything. Most Canadian households combine one or two on-demand services (for example Netflix and Crave) with a free service such as CBC Gem, and add a sports service during the season. If you want live TV, sports and on-demand movies in one place, an IPTV subscription is the main all-in-one alternative.
This guide compares the major streaming services available in Canada in 2026, what each one is best for, and how to build a setup that costs less than cable. Prices change often and vary with ads and promotions, so check each service for its current price.
Streaming services in Canada at a glance
| Service | Best for | Live TV | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Original series and films, huge library | No (occasional live events) | No |
| Crave | HBO and Max originals, Canadian content, CTV shows | Limited | No |
| Disney+ | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Star (FX, ABC) | No | No |
| Prime Video | Amazon originals, included with Amazon Prime | Some sports | With Prime |
| Apple TV | Apple originals, MLS Season Pass | Some sports | No |
| Paramount+ | Paramount films, CBS shows, Star Trek | Limited | No |
| CBC Gem | Canadian series, news, documentaries | Yes, CBC live streams | Yes |
| Sportsnet+ | NHL (Rogers markets), Blue Jays, Raptors | Yes | No |
| TSN+ | CFL, NHL (TSN markets), tennis, golf | Yes | No |
| DAZN | NFL Game Pass in Canada, boxing, soccer | Yes | No |
| IPTV (e.g. RightIPTV) | Live channels, sports and VOD in one subscription | Yes, 25,000+ channels | Free 24h trial |
Best streaming services for movies and series
Netflix
Still the biggest library of original series and films in Canada, available with or without ads. Best if you watch a lot of new series.
Crave
Crave is the Canadian home of HBO and Max content, plus Showtime and Starz programming on some plans and CTV shows. If you want HBO series in Canada, Crave is the service to get.
Disney+
Essential for families, and the Star section adds FX and ABC shows for adults.
Prime Video
Included with Amazon Prime, which many Canadians already pay for for shipping. Good value as a second service.
Best free streaming services in Canada
- CBC Gem: Canadian series, news and live CBC streams. A free tier with ads is available.
- Tubi, Pluto TV and Plex: free, ad-supported movies and live “FAST” channels.
- Noovo.ca and Télé-Québec for French-language viewers.
Best sports streaming services in Canada
Sports are where streaming gets expensive in Canada, because rights are split. NHL games are divided between Sportsnet and TSN depending on the team and region, the NFL is on DAZN and TSN/CTV, the NBA and MLB are mostly on Sportsnet, and soccer is spread across several services. Following several sports can mean three or four separate subscriptions.
That is the main reason many Canadian sports fans look at IPTV: one subscription that includes Canadian, US and international sports channels. Read our IPTV Toronto, Montreal and Calgary pages for local team coverage.
Streaming apps vs IPTV vs cable
| Several streaming apps | IPTV subscription | Cable / satellite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live channels | Few | Thousands | 50–300 |
| On-demand library | Large, split across apps | 120,000+ titles in one app | Limited |
| Sports | Split across services | Included | Add-on packs |
| Contract | None | None | Often 1–2 years |
| Typical monthly cost | Adds up quickly | From about $6 (12-month plan) | $60–$120 |
How to build a cheaper TV setup in Canada
- Keep one on-demand service you watch the most (Netflix, Crave or Disney+).
- Add free services: CBC Gem, Tubi, Pluto TV.
- For live TV, sports and international channels, test an IPTV service with a free trial before cancelling cable.
- Rotate paid services: subscribe for a month to binge a show, then cancel.
Try IPTV free for 24 hours
RightIPTV gives you 25,000+ live channels and 120,000+ movies and series from $14 CAD, with a free 24h trial. Request your trial on WhatsApp.
FAQ
What is the most popular streaming service in Canada?
Netflix is the most widely used paid streaming service in Canada, followed by Prime Video, Disney+ and Crave.
Which streaming service has HBO in Canada?
HBO and Max content streams on Crave in Canada.
What is the best streaming service for sports in Canada?
It depends on the sport: Sportsnet+ and TSN+ for the NHL and Canadian sports, DAZN for the NFL. An IPTV subscription combines many sports channels in one place.
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