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What is changing in how Canadians watch TV?
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) describes a continuing structural shift in broadcasting. Online services accounted for 40% of total broadcasting revenues in the 2025 broadcast year. That is a share of industry revenue, not a count of households or a measure of how much television each person watches. The CRTC summarized the direction this way: “In 2025, the Canadian broadcasting system experienced a continuation of recent structural shifts.”
Household and viewing figures show both movement toward streaming and continued use of traditional TV:
- Streaming-only households: 33% of Canadian households consumed content exclusively through streaming platforms in 2025, up from 29% in 2024.
- Hybrid households: 44% reported subscriptions to both traditional television and online audiovisual services in 2025.
- Viewing time: Based on Numeris data from 2021–2025, the CRTC calculated an average annual decline of 5.9% in time spent watching traditional television and an average annual increase of 18.4% in time spent watching online streaming services. The regulator says streaming viewing has stabilized in recent years.
These measures describe different things: household service use, industry revenue and viewing time. Together, they point to a gradual shift, not proof that all households are cancelling cable, satellite or telco TV.
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What streaming-service figures do—and do not—tell you
In the CRTC’s 2025 Public Opinion Research Tracker, 76% of respondents said they currently subscribe to or have access to at least one video streaming service. The survey asked whether respondents “currently subscribe (or have access to)” each service, so its figures should not be read as paid subscriptions alone.
| 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% |
These are survey results, not a tally of unique paid accounts. A respondent may have access through a household member, a bundle or another arrangement. Among respondents with multiple services, 54% reported bundling two or more services on the same bill. Bundling can simplify billing, but the figure alone does not establish whether a bundle costs less than buying services separately.
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Why households may be reconsidering their TV setup
The shift in viewing habits gives households a practical reason to check whether their current setup still fits. A traditional package may remain useful for local channels, live programming or sports; streaming may suit viewers who want on-demand shows or specific catalogues. Some households use both. The right choice depends on what the people in the home actually watch, rather than on a general claim that one format is always better or cheaper.
When reviewing a setup, compare the whole experience—not just the advertised price of one service:
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- Total recurring cost: Add the regular price of the TV package, streaming subscriptions and any relevant internet charges. Separate promotional rates from the price that applies after a promotion ends.
- Programming needs: Check access to local channels, live events and sports, as well as Canadian and French-language programming that matters to your household.
- Ads and viewing habits: Compare ad tolerance, on-demand availability and how many people need to watch at the same time.
- Billing: Check which services are included in a package or billed together, and whether you would keep each service if it were billed separately.
- Internet and devices: Confirm that your connection is reliable where you watch and that your TV or a connected device supports the apps you need.
There is no household-level cost comparison in the figures cited here, so they cannot establish that streaming is cheaper than a particular television package. Current package prices and catalogues also vary; check the offers and programming available to you before switching.
Does streaming require a fast internet connection?
Statistics Canada reports that 96.4% of Canadian households had access to unlimited broadband at speeds of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload in 2024. That is a national availability measure, not a guarantee that a particular household receives those speeds or has a reliable connection in every room.
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Statistics Canada’s reference guidance lists 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for UHD/4K. If several people stream at once, a connection has other demands, or Wi-Fi is weak where the TV is located, a household may need more capacity or a better in-home connection than a single-stream reference suggests. Check the speed and reliability you actually get, rather than relying on national availability figures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When might you need a streaming device?
If your television does not support the apps you want, or no longer receives the required app updates, a compatible streaming media player can be an optional way to access them. Before buying one, check that it supports the specific services you use and connects to your TV and home network. A device is not necessary if your television already runs those apps; the available evidence does not establish a preferred model.
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What the numbers mean for a Canadian household
Streaming has gained a larger place in Canada’s broadcasting market, while a substantial share of households still combine it with traditional TV. The useful question is not whether one format has won, but whether the services, programming, billing and connection in your home match how you watch now. Service-access survey results help describe the broader landscape; they cannot decide whether a specific household should keep, change or cancel a particular package.
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