The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Canadians are moving more of their TV viewing to streaming, but traditional television has not disappeared: 44% of households reported using both traditional TV and online audiovisual services in 2025. For a household deciding whether to change its setup, the useful question is not whether streaming is always cheaper. It is whether the price, programmes, live events and internet requirements of a streaming, traditional or hybrid setup fit the household better.
What is changing in how Canadians watch TV?
The shift is gradual, not a wholesale move away from cable, satellite or telco TV. In its Annual highlights of the broadcasting sector 2024-2025, the CRTC reported that online services accounted for 40% of total broadcasting revenues in the 2025 broadcast year. The regulator also reported that 33% of Canadian households consumed content exclusively through streaming platforms, up from 29% in 2024. At the same time, 44% subscribed to both traditional television and online audiovisual services.
Those household figures describe access or reported service use; they do not mean every person pays separately for every service. The CRTC’s 2025 Public Opinion Research Tracker found that 76% of respondents said they currently subscribed to or had access to at least one video streaming service. Its survey question explicitly combined subscribing with having access.
Viewing time has shifted too. In analysis of Numeris data covering 2021–2025, the CRTC found traditional-TV viewing time declined by an average of 5.9% annually, while time spent watching online streaming services grew by an average of 18.4% annually. The CRTC says streaming viewing has stabilized in recent years, so the historical growth rate should not be read as a forecast.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
The regulator summed up the broader direction in its report: “In 2025, the Canadian broadcasting system experienced a continuation of recent structural shifts.”
What streaming-service access figures do—and do not—show
The same CRTC survey reported the following shares of respondents who said they subscribed to or had access to each service. These are not estimates of paid subscriptions alone.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
| Service | Respondents reporting a subscription or access |
|---|---|
| Netflix | 55% |
| Amazon Prime Video | 45% |
| Disney+ | 27% |
| Crave | 14% |
| YouTube Premium | 12% |
| Apple TV+ | 10% |
| Paramount+ Canada | 9% |
| Roku | 8% |
| CBC Gem | 7% |
Because the measure includes access, a respondent may be using a service paid for by someone else or included in a bundle. The survey also found that 54% of Canadians with multiple services reported bundling two or more on the same bill. A shared bill can simplify payment, but it does not by itself establish what a household pays in total.
Crave’s scale provides a separate company-reported indicator of streaming activity: BCE said Crave had approximately 4.6 million subscriptions in 2025, up 26% year over year, and that its direct-to-consumer streaming subscribers rose 65%. Those figures are from BCE’s reporting, not a regulator’s household survey.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Why households may reconsider their TV setup
The market figures explain why a household might review its setup, but they do not establish one universal reason or a single best arrangement. A review is most useful when viewing habits or bills have changed: perhaps the household watches more on-demand programmes, wants specific live coverage, has several streaming services, or no longer uses much of a traditional package.
For a personal-finance decision, compare the whole arrangement rather than one advertised service or a promotional rate. Streaming can be cheaper for one household and more expensive for another once several subscriptions, internet service and any traditional-TV package are counted. The available figures do not compare actual household package prices, so there is no supported general claim that one format always costs less.
Rank #4
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
How to compare traditional TV, streaming and a hybrid setup
List what the household actually watches and pays for, then compare the options against the same needs. Include the price after promotions end, not only the introductory offer.
| What to compare | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Total monthly cost | What is the regular price of the TV package and each subscription? Are any services bundled on the same bill, and when do promotions expire? |
| Local and live programming | Does the household need local channels, news or other live programmes, and are they available in the proposed setup? |
| Sports and events | Are the particular teams, leagues or live events the household watches available, and through which service or package? |
| Canadian and French-language catalogue | Does the available programming match the household’s language preferences and interests? |
| Advertising | Are ads acceptable, or does the household need to check whether an ad-free option is available and what it costs? |
| Viewers and devices | How many people watch at once, and do the services and devices support the household’s viewing needs? |
| Internet connection | Is the home connection reliable where and when people watch, not just fast enough according to a national availability statistic? |
| TV app compatibility | Does the television already support the required streaming apps, or would an additional access device be needed? |
A hybrid setup may make sense when a household wants some traditional channels or live programming while using streaming for other viewing. A streaming-only arrangement may suit a household whose required shows and events are available online and whose internet connection and devices work well. A traditional package may still fit households that value the channels and live services it provides. The right comparison is specific to the household’s viewing list and full bill.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest Value
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
Can the home internet support streaming?
Statistics Canada reports that 96.4% of Canadian households had access to unlimited broadband at 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload in 2024; the page was last updated in May 2026. This is a national access measure, not a guarantee that a particular home receives those speeds or has reliable service at viewing time.
Statistics Canada’s reference guidance lists 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for UHD/4K. A household should consider how many people stream simultaneously and whether other internet use competes for capacity; an advertised or reference speed alone does not establish the experience at every device.
When a streaming device may be useful
If a television does not have the apps the household needs, a streaming media player is one possible way to access them on the TV. First check app compatibility and the television’s existing capabilities; buying a player is not automatically necessary, and the available evidence does not establish a preferred model. For UHD/4K viewing, also account for the 25 Mbps reference speed noted by Statistics Canada.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
