Shaw Cable 75+ $79

CBC GEM $4.99

Netflix $9.99

Sportsnet Premium $34.99

Total per month: $128.97, including Internet

Choosing the Right Streaming Service in Canada

When deciding on the best streaming service for your needs, consider the following factors:

• Content: Examine each service’s content library to ensure it offers the movies, shows, and genres you prefer.
• Pricing: Compare the subscription fees and available plans to determine which option fits your budget.
• Device Compatibility: Confirm that the streaming service is compatible with your preferred devices, such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, or mobile devices.
• Offline Viewing: Some services offer offline viewing capabilities, allowing you to download content for viewing without an internet connection.

Some of the FREE TV Stations Available. For these, you may need to install a specific app, and not all shows are streamable. Live TV may be an option on some paid plans like CBC Gem.

• CBC TV
• CTV
• CityTV
• Discovery Channel
• Family Channel
• Food Network
• HGTV
• The Comedy Network
• YTV
• Global News

Tips for Maximizing Your Streaming Experience in Canada

Optimize Your Internet Connection

A stable and fast internet connection is crucial for seamless streaming. Ensure you have a reliable internet service provider (ISP), and consider upgrading your plan for higher speeds, if necessary.

High-speed Internet, also known as broadband Internet, refers to internet connections with significantly faster speeds than traditional dial-up services. 

High-speed Internet can be delivered locally through various technologies, such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable and satellite.

For streaming, the recommended internet speeds depend on the video quality and the number of devices connected simultaneously. However, here are the general speed recommendations for various streaming qualities:

Standard Definition (SD) streaming: A minimum of 3 Mbps is recommended for streaming standard definition (480p) video on a single device.

High Definition (HD) streaming: For streaming high-definition (720p or 1080p) video, a minimum speed of 5 Mbps is recommended for a single device. However, if multiple devices stream HD content simultaneously, you will need a higher speed.

Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K streaming: To stream ultra-high-definition (2160p) or 4K content, a minimum speed of 25 Mbps is recommended for a single device. If you plan to stream 4K content on multiple devices, you will need an even faster internet connection.

It’s essential to note that these recommendations are for each device streaming content. If you have multiple devices streaming simultaneously, consider increasing your internet speed accordingly. Additionally, other internet activities, such as online gaming, video conferencing, and large file downloads, may require higher speeds to function optimally. To ensure a seamless streaming experience, it’s best to choose an internet plan with speeds that can accommodate your household’s overall usage and the number of connected devices.

A 5 Mb/s connection will work for one lower-resolution stream on one device. However, the Internet will be almost unuseable for anyone else on it. 

25mb/s is the bare minimum for proper streaming.

These are the companies operating in our area:

Starlink Requires Hardware purchase

• Starlink has recently cut their hardware prices in half and then again to $199 for rural Canadians making it a viable high-speed option for anyone currently underserved or without access to any high-speed. Starlink is now portable as well. 

Equipment choices

If you have a Smart TV already it probably just needs to be setup although some smart TV’s are very limited in what they can do and a TV box can be used instead of the smart TV where features are lacking.

Equipment like keyboards, mice and the air mouse all use Bluetooth to connect to the Smart Tv or TV Box which is relatively easy and can greatly enhance your experience.

I do carry some of the equipment onsite however the links provided are directly from Amazon.ca where there are many many more choices.

The Apple TV 4K (2022) 3rd Generation is an impressive streaming device that delivers a seamless, high-quality entertainment experience. With support for 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, this device provides stunning visuals, making the most of any compatible TV. The 64GB storage capacity ensures ample space for downloading apps and games from the Apple App Store, further enhancing the entertainment options.

The intuitive tvOS interface allows for smooth navigation and integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, enabling features like AirPlay and HomeKit for added convenience. The Siri Remote is a standout feature, offering quick voice commands, easy content search, and precise control over playback. The device’s Wi-Fi performance is robust, ensuring smooth streaming even during peak usage times.

While it may come at a higher price point compared to some competitors, the Apple TV 4K (2022) offers a premium experience that is well worth the investment for those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or seeking a top-tier streaming solution.

The Roku Streambar is an exceptional all-in-one solution that combines 4K/HD/HDR streaming capabilities with premium audio for a truly immersive entertainment experience. Its compact design makes it perfect for various setups, including smaller spaces or wall-mounted TVs. The Streambar delivers powerful, room-filling sound, significantly enhancing music and movie audio without additional speakers. The user-friendly Roku interface provides easy access to a vast selection of streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, ensuring endless entertainment options. The setup is simple, and the included voice remote makes navigating content a breeze. Additionally, the Streambar’s Bluetooth connectivity allows for seamless streaming from mobile devices. Overall, the Roku Streambar is an outstanding choice for those seeking a high-quality streaming media player with integrated premium audio, delivering an exceptional home theatre experience in a compact package.

Where to start with cutting that cable?

The very first thing you do is make a list of the TV shows that you watch on a regular basis. Answer the following questions.

Do I have any off air antenna feeds? If you are luck enough to live in a city of some size (Thunderbay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, etc.) you have an option of using an off air antenna to pick up local TV stations. These antennas are small square mats that stick to a wall or window or outside that bring the HD off air TV signals from local broadcasters like CBC, CTV, GlobalTV.  They cost between $20 and $100 one time fee and can usually be setup in minutes.

What live TV shows do you watch regularly? Regularly sit in front of TV at initial broadcast.

What TV shows you watch occasionally? Occasionally is if you watch it on DVR, maybe the following week, or when you see it on re-run.

Do you watch sports? Sports feeds are tricky as they tend to be live, there are some paid options though.

Do you watch news? Like sports feeds the news is live, and local news is usually sparse however it is possible to find. Live news like CBC Newsworld is available via stream for $4.99/month (along with their TV show library).

Now you know your viewing habits.

From here its a matter of looking to see if the streams of your shows are available using the links further up the page and using google searches (I do this as part of my cutting the cable service).

Live broadcasts of sports and news will need a paid option listed further up on the page. Keep in mind in most cases the paid live streams go directly to the network/channel, not marked up from cable companies.

If there are any shows or programming that are not available to you, decide if it is worth paying the full price for a cable package. Usually there are a couple shows you cannot find free streamed, a simple cost/benefit analysis will tell you if its worth spending the money for a full cable package.

We pay around $65 (average) per month on our cable TV/Satellite TV packages, we also pay a similar amount in high speed internet. If you can stream most or all of your TV shows and with the paid live options have access to everything you really need is it worth paying an extra $65 for cable when you can access it all using just your internet.

For Example:
I have found nearly all my shows on FREE live stream, those I cannot are not worth me paying $80 per month for Expressvu. I like my news and Netflix so paying for Netflix at $11.99 per month and CBC at $4.99 gives me a monthly fee of  $17 per month.

If I watched sports I could grab a TSN streaming package (owned by BELL Media) for $24.99/month. This would give me a full package for around $40 dollars a month plus with Netflix in there I have a huge number of movies, specialty TV shows and more original series than you can get on a standard cable package.

Where to from here?

If you want to cut that cable then its a matter of finding the streams directly on your smart TV and/or getting a TV box programmed with what you want. I provide both of these services.

Once you have live streaming TV setup, use it, learn some of the caveats and tricks to it, see if you like it BEFORE you cut the cable. Some people don’t want the little extra work involved in live streaming and that’s fine.

Give yourself a month of live stream and see if you can live without cable. One of the things I noticed was a reduction in sitting in front of the TV as my TV shows stream on anything – TV, Smartphone, Computer, Tablet, Etc…

Watch your data usage during your month of streaming – if it goes above your allotted amount simply call your provider and ask for an upgrade and usually they will make it retroactive to cover any overages.

The number of shows and broadcasts available via streaming will only grow in the future to a point in the not so distant future where everything will be streamed via the internet, even here in Canada.