While streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu have entirely taken over the world of TV viewing, it’s impressive that there are still free live tv streaming services available.
There are various reasons why many people prefer to stream television online. They can save money on cable costs, have a massive selection of free channels to choose from, and enjoy TV shows without any ads.
The internet now allows you to watch tv shows for free without getting into any legal trouble whenever you want, whether on your mobile phone, PC, or tablet.
This article explains how you can currently get the most up-to-date television streaming services in Canada for 2022.
What is Free Streaming TV?
Television can be costly, but with free online streaming tv, you can watch your favorite movies and series at no cost (or almost for free).
With TV services, you have to purchase cable or satellite and sometimes for the channels you want. And considering that the average person spends $52 on monthly cable bills, free streaming services in Canada can be very alluring.
The great news is there’s a wide range of services that offer free tv, with a variety of tv programs to choose from.
Here’s a quick list of free streaming TV channels in Canada that are available free of charge:
CBC, Citytv, Global TV
Top shows: Dragon’s Den, The Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives
Treehouse, YTV
Top shows: Dora, Transformers
BNN, CTV News, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg News
Top shows: News Hour, The Stream, Question Period
Much Music, CMT, MTV
Top shows: Punk’d, Pet Heroes, Degrassi
Best Free Streaming TV Services in Canada
Below is a list of streaming services in Canada. They are all completely legit services, and you should have no worries about getting into any legal trouble.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is an entirely free online TV streaming service with quality shows and series available to stream. At first glance, the platform offers a sleek interface that’s easy to navigate.
Pluto TV offers thousands of movies and hundreds of live channels to choose from.
There are no ads on offer when watching shows and no mention of subscription plans.
Pricing: Completely free.
Pros
- Completely free service
- Available on computer, iOS, Android
- Hundreds of live channels available
- Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
- One of the best free streaming TV sites in Canada
Cons
- Shortened versions of major TV channels
- No DVR functionality on live streams
The Roku Channel
Roku is another big company that offers free streaming in Canada. The platform provides high-quality shows as well as films you can watch.
The only downside with Roku is that you have to get the Roku stick or Roku TV to stream content.
After you sign up on their platform, streaming free TV shows is hassle-free. All you need to do is insert the streaming device into your TV and connect to the internet.
Pricing: No monthly fees (only have to purchase movie rentals and subscription channels like Netflix).
Pros
- There’s over 4,000 shows available
- One of the best free TV streaming sites
Cons
- Not much new released content for free
- TSN and Sportsnet are not available on Roku
Tubi
Although the content library on Tubi can be outdated, the platform still offers a great way of streaming live TV in Canada.
This can be expected since it’s a free streaming service, but it more than makes up for it with the number of devices it supports.
You can access Tubi on multiple devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Chromecast, Android, and more.
Pricing: Completely free.
Pros
- Intuitive app and web streaming options
- Completely free
Cons
- The content library is a bit outdated
- No way to anticipate commercial breaks
Crackle TV
Crackle TV is another TV streaming platform that offers free streaming services in Canada.
Crackle has partnerships with Disney, Paramount, and 20th Century, and you can expect retro titles from those production companies.
Expect to view many ads before the content plays, as Crackle doesn’t generate enough revenue to support its content.
Pricing: Free.
Pros
- No account required
- Completely free
Cons
- No live streaming TV options
- Ads run before the content begins
CBC Gem
If you’ve watched CBC TV before, CBC Gem offers the same kind of content.
There are three service types available, of which two are completely free. Signing up on the platform, you get to live stream CBC TV and get ad-free streaming.
To access the premium content, you’ll have to pay a subscription cost of $4.99 a month.
Pricing: Free. $4.99 a month for the premium service.
Pros
- Available on iOS, computer and Android
- Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
- Extensive library of Canadian shows
Cons
- Paid premium service
Over The Air HD
If your desire is to watch some local shows in Canada, then you should try OTA HD TV.
You can pick up an HD antenna from Amazon or your local tech store to get free to air streaming TV channels in Canada.
Antennas come in different sizes and functionalities. And for that reason, the price for an HD antenna will depend on where you are in Canada and the antenna’s range.
Pricing: It varies depending on the antenna.
Pros
- Free local live channels
- Easy and affordable to get started
- Access to free streaming TV in Canada
Cons
- Limited to free local channels
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video gives you one of Canada’s best streaming TV services and access to blockbuster shows like Mr. Robot and the Godfather.
Although it’s not entirely free to get the service, Amazon Prime Video has a free 30-day trial period, after which you’ll have to pay $7.99/month or $79.00/year.
No cable is required, and you can access the service using your computer, smartphone, or tablet. You can watch exclusive Amazon Originals, popular movies, TV shows, and sports.
Pricing: 30-day free trial period; $7.99 a month.
Pros
- Video streaming service on three devices
- Prime Music included
- Free shipping with Amazon
Cons
- Not a completely free service
Best Cheap Streaming Sites in Canada
There are plenty of streaming services and sites you’ll find that have a low subscription fee. Here are a few to consider:
Sportsnet NOW
Sportsnet Now was created exclusively for sports streaming and offered all of the top channels available in one place. You can view your favourite games from the NHL, Premier League, MLB, and NBA on this one platform.
The platform has attractive features like 24-hour playback and split-screen features. It also offers plenty of news services so you can catch up on the latest updates.
The only drawback is the monthly subscription which costs $14.99 a month.
Pricing: $14.99 a month.
Pros
- An ideal platform for streaming sports programs
- available on Android, iOS, Chrome-cast, and other platforms
Cons
- The monthly plan can be costly
Netflix
Netflix is the world’s largest streaming platform in the world, and no other service comes close to when it comes to the number of films and shows in its library.
Netflix is not entirely free, but you get access to a library of over 3,000 HD titles for a very low fee, including Netflix Originals and other high-quality content.
Pricing: $9.99 for one device.
Pros
- 30-day free trial period
- A large library of blockbuster titles – over 3,000
Cons
- No live streaming
Disney Plus
Disney Plus has made some great movies and shows in the past, including Pixar and Bolt, and this is what you can expect with this service.
You can also enjoy some of the latest blockbuster shows like The Mandalorian and Winter Soldier on this platform.
When you scroll through this platform, you’ll be amazed at the number of movies and shows you can view all in one platform.
Pricing: $11.99 monthly; $119.99 for a yearly subscription.
Pros
- A great collection of films and shows from Disney and Marvel
- Easy-to-use interface
- Affordable streaming service
Cons
- Limited to Disney and Marvel programs
CBS All Access
CBS All Access gives you access to several programs that you would normally find on CBS. You can stream shows, movies, and news broadcasts on the platform.
It has a friendly interface and makes it easy to navigate on its online platform.
Pricing: $5.99 a month.
Pros
- Access to CBS, CBS Sports HQ, ET Live, and CBSN
- Friendly interface
Cons
- No live streaming TV, and you can’t watch free TV
Plex
Plex is an excellent streaming service with thousands of movies, shows, and live TV on offer. No matter your preference, you will find some shows you enjoy.
Plex Pass is their premium service with additional features such as mobile sync and privacy controls.
Pricing: Free; Plex pass costs $6.49 a month.
Pros
- Excellent streaming service
Cons
- Plex Pass is not worth the additional cost
Hayu
Hayu is dedicated to reality TV, and because of the limited scope of Hayu, there isn’t a variety of content available.
You can watch content on Hayu through your Android and iOS phone, Apple tablet, computer, and smart TVs.
Pricing: $5.99 a month.
Pros
- Popular shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians
- Affordable subscription cost
Cons
- Limited to reality TV only
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium gives you all that YouTube introductory offers and additional perks like an ad-free experience when watching videos and listening to music.
Another benefit is the way you can watch movies and listen to music. YouTube on premium allows you to play media in the background while using other apps.
Pricing: $11.99 per month.
- Pros
- Added functionalities with the media player
- Ad-free viewing experience
Cons
- No additional benefits
DAZN
DAZN is a popular streaming service for sports fans. With this streaming service, you can watch hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, boxing, and more.
When you subscribe, you can watch all your football games with access to NFL Game Access.
Pricing: $24.99 per month.
Pros
- Dedicated streaming service for sports
Cons
- Costly subscription fee
Benefits of Free Streaming TV in Canada
- It is entirely free for its viewers
- It is perfectly legal
- You can easily pause, forward or rewind in between shows
- Some streaming services allow you to download their content
- You can view some of your favourite shows in HD or 4K quality
Downsides of Free Streaming in Canada
- Your selection of films and shows can be limited depending on the service
- Sometimes you can only stream low-quality videos
- Live games, especially sports, are rarely available
- The best shows and films usually require you to pay
Free Streaming TV FAQs
Streaming free TV shows online gives you access to free TV in Canada using the platforms we have listed above.
No. To get cable in Canada, you have to pay an installation fee and a monthly service subscription.
There are plenty of websites that will let you watch free online TV, like Pluto TV and Roku Channel.
ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS are among the top free channels in Canada.
Crave TV has a 7-day free trial period, but after that, users have to pay a subscription fee of $9.99 a month to continue using their service.
Yes, the Roku Channel service is free and is available to consumers in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Do you know of any Canadian French news channels offered in your free downloading sites? My husband likes to look at the Quebec news channels and I do not know which streaming sites have these channels for his news. Can you please let me know the best one, even if I have to pay a small fee each month. Thank you for your help with this question.
@Mary: None come to mind at the moment. However, I will look into this and post it here if I find any.