Cheapest TV Packages in Canada: From Free to Full Cable

The cheapest TV packages in Canada start at zero: an antenna plus free apps such as CBC Gem cost nothing per month. If you want a paid package, Canadian providers must offer a small basic package, and Bell’s Starter package lists a regular price of around $25 a month (with Bell Internet required). Streaming add-ons like STACKTV at around $12.99 a month sit in between.

Below is a price ladder from free to full cable, with what you get at each step and the catches that make a “cheap” package more expensive than it looks. All prices are approximate, in CAD, and change often.

The price ladder at a glance

Free options: antenna and free apps

An antenna is the cheapest TV package in Canada by a long way. You pay once for the antenna, then receive local HD stations with no subscription. In Quebec and other French-speaking markets, Radio-Canada, TVA, Noovo and Télé-Québec are often available over the air too.

Add CBC Gem for live CBC and on-demand shows, plus free ad-supported services like Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus and The Roku Channel. Our guide to antennas for local channels explains how to choose one for your area.

The basic package rule

Since 2016, the CRTC has required TV providers to offer an entry-level basic package capped at $25 a month, with the option to add channels individually or in small packs. This is often called “skinny basic”. It includes Canadian local stations, some public-interest channels and, in many areas, the US network affiliates.

The cap applies to the package itself. Equipment rental, internet requirements and taxes are separate, so the real monthly cost is usually higher.

Bell Fibe TV Starter

Bell’s Starter package lists more than 25 channels including CTV and CBC, plus over 15 complimentary channels, at around $25 a month regular price (with promotional credits bringing it to around $20 on a two-year term at the time of writing). Bell says Bell Internet is required, and a receiver costs around $10 a month if you do not have a compatible streaming device. Bell also includes Crave Standard With Ads with new bundles.

Other providers

Rogers, Telus, Vidéotron, Cogeco, Eastlink and regional providers all offer their own basic packages. Prices and channel lists vary by region, so compare on each provider’s site with your postal code.

Low-cost streaming packages

If you do not need a cable-style lineup, streaming add-ons can be cheaper than any basic package plus fees.

• STACKTV bundles Corus specialty channels such as Food Network, HGTV and History, sold through Prime Video Channels at around $12.99 a month. You need an Amazon Prime membership first.
• Crave is not a live TV package, but its ad-supported tier is the cheapest legal way to get HBO content in Canada.
• Fubo Canada is around $31 a month for its main plan and is mainly worth it for soccer, especially the Premier League.

The catches that raise the price

Cheap packages often come with conditions. Watch for these before signing up:

1. Internet requirement: Bell and Rogers TV generally require their own internet service, which can be more expensive than an independent ISP.
2. Equipment rental: receivers and PVRs add monthly fees.
3. Promo expiry: introductory prices often rise after 12 or 24 months.
4. Term contracts: two-year terms can carry cancellation fees.
5. Sports add-ons: TSN and Sportsnet are rarely in the cheapest tier.
6. Platform memberships: STACKTV requires Prime, so the true cost is both subscriptions together.

IPTV and the “too cheap” problem

You will see IPTV offers advertising thousands of channels for very low prices. IPTV is simply a delivery method, and Bell’s Fibe TV is itself IPTV. The question is whether the seller is licensed to carry those channels. Read our guide to IPTV legality in Canada and our tips on subscribing to IPTV safely, and check local rules before you pay anyone.

For transparency, we sell our own plan: 12 months for $89 (US dollars), with live channels, sports, movies and series in one app. Details are on the IPTV Journal pricing section.

Which cheap package should you pick?

Pick by what you watch, not by the headline price. If local news and network shows cover most of your viewing, an antenna and free apps are the cheapest answer. If you want specialty lifestyle channels, STACKTV is the low-cost add-on. If you need TSN and Sportsnet, compare a basic package with sports add-ons against the cost of Sportsnet+ and TSN+ together, including all fees.

FAQ

What is the cheapest TV package in Canada?

The cheapest option is free: an antenna and free apps like CBC Gem. Among paid packages, CRTC rules cap the basic package at $25 a month, and Bell’s Starter package lists a regular price of around $25 (with Bell Internet required).

Is the $25 basic TV package still available in Canada?

The CRTC basic package requirement introduced in 2016 still shapes provider offers. Each provider names and prices its basic tier differently, so ask for the entry-level basic package specifically.

Can I get TV without internet in Canada?

Yes. An antenna needs no internet and receives local stations for free. Satellite TV is another option in rural areas, though it costs more than basic streaming.

Do I need Amazon Prime for STACKTV?

STACKTV is sold as an add-on through Prime Video Channels, which requires a Prime membership. Check the current sign-up options on Amazon and STACKTV’s site.

Are cheap IPTV packages legal in Canada?

IPTV technology is legal, but services that rebroadcast channels without the rights are not. Check that any provider is licensed and check Canadian copyright rules before subscribing.