Many of the internet-based cable alternatives that changed how people watch TV in the US still have yet to expand into Canada. However, a growing number of home-grown streaming services are helping Canadians ditch their local cable TV companies and join the cord-cutter revolution. Keep reading for a complete list of streaming services that are available in Canada.
Live TV Streaming Services
While many of the services listed below do offer some on-demand content, their primary focus is on live TV.
fuboTV
Most streaming services in the US are run by huge corporations like AT&T, Google and others. fuboTV is different because it’s a scrappy startup. If you’re looking for a way to catch live sports without a cable TV subscription, it’s definitely worth a look. In Canada, fuboTV only costs $16/month. beIN Sports Canada, beIN Sports English, beIN Sports Spanish, Benfica TV, Fight Network, Fantasy Sports Network are a few of the channels that are included with fuboTV’s Canadian Basic Package subscription. A channel add-on pack called fubo Cycling gives you access to not only fubo Cycling, but also Fox Soccer Plus, Gol TV, Gol TV Spanish and TyC Sports.
DAZN
If you’re an NFL fan, DAZN is a must-get. Only DAZN has the right to carry all the NFL games in Canada. Other sports that DAZN carries include soccer (UEFA Champions League football, Serie A and LaLiga), MMA and boxing. It costs $20/month or $150/year to subscribe.
MLB.TV
MLB.TV-- the official streaming service of Major League Baseball-- is also available in Canada. If blackout restrictions stop you from watching the game you want to watch live, you can watch a replay of any regular season game after it ends.
Rogers NHL Live
Rogers NHL Live is a streaming service that lets you watch over 1,000 national and out-of-market NHL games. Unlike MLB.TV, Rogers NHL Live does carry playoff games. However, blackout restrictions will stop you from watching your home team play. Each NHL team has between 40-60 regional games per year, which you won’t be able to watch live if you live within a team’s territory. The remaining games are national games and can be viewed by anyone, regardless of location.
TSN Direct
The Sports Network is Canada’s answer to ESPN. It broadcasts live hockey, football and soccer games, sports news programs and more. TSN Direct-- the over-the-top version of TSN-- launched last summer. You don’t need a cable TV subscription to subscribe. All subscribers get access to not only five live TSN channels but also several bonus streams that are only available online.
On-Demand Streaming Services
These streaming services cater to people who want to watch their favorite TV shows and movies when they have time to watch them instead of live.
Paramount+
The Canadian version of Paramount+ is pretty much the same as the American version. Your $6/month subscription gives you full access to a huge library of CBS TV shows. These include Survivor, NCIS, 60 Minutes and more. There’s even a live news stream of CBSN that you can access, as well. Another benefit: no commercials.
Amazon Prime Video Canada
Amazon expanded its Amazon Prime Video service into Canada back in 2016. Anyone with an Amazon Prime membership can access it free of charge. If you’re not already an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can either get the $79 annual plan or subscribe for just $8/month. Available titles include Parks and Recreation, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Transparent, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and more. Check out the Amazon website to learn more about the benefits of Amazon Prime if you don’t already subscribe.
Netflix
What list of streaming services would be complete without Netflix? The streaming pioneer is available in nearly every country on the planet. When it comes to movies, the Canadian-based Netflix sometimes offers subscribers better content. For example, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory and Captain America: Civil War landed on Canadian Netflix first. Some other streaming services produce originals, but with Netflix you get award-winning titles like Orange is the New Black, Roma, House of Cards and more. Wondering which countries get the best movies first? Check out our Flixed study here!
Hayu
Hayu is an international streaming service for fans of reality TV shows. It lets people from Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg watch reality TV shows on the same day they air in the states. Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Top Chef and Jersey Shore are just a few of the shows you can watch through this service.
Slice
Slice is similar to Hayu in that it’s a streaming service that specializes in lifestyle entertainment. Originally, Slice was a cable TV channel called Life Network. Life Network rebranded to Slice in 2006. Most of the shows that it airs are Bravo productions, but it has a few original shows as well. Some of its most notable series include Big Brother Canada, Mob Wives, Four Weddings Canada and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
Even more on-demand services
All of the following on-demand services are also available in Canada:
Hybrid Live and On-Demand Streaming Services
These streaming services offer a blend of both live and on-demand entertainment.
CBC Gem
CBC Gem is the Canadian Broadcast Corporation’s streaming service. It’s completely free and it has over 4000 hours of on-demand content. You can even watch live feeds of 14 different CBC channels.
Sportsnet Now
Sportsnet Now is similar to TSN Direct. Both streaming services air live sports games. However, Sportsnet Now has more on-demand content compared to TSN Direct. You can get a 7-day pass for just $10, or an annual pass for $20.
Qello
Qello is a unique streaming service that specializes in music concerts. You can tune in live or watch recordings of past performances. Subscribing costs just $5/month or $45/year.
Alex Munkachy • Author
Alex Munkachy is a freelance writer, game developer and hobby robotics enthusiast.
Desiree Wu • Editor
Desiree is a full-time Honours Business Administration student at Ivey Business School at Western University. She also works as the Editorial Intern at Flixed. Desiree is based in London, Ontario.