Why pay to stream shows when you can watch free internet TV? Network websites like CTV and Global News, and streaming services like Pluto and Tubi, give you access to high-quality content without paying the price of cable or subscription services.
Many websites and streaming services are tailored to specific types of programming, and the guide below explains which options are best for each type of content. It also covers how easily accessible the content is, which subscription-based platforms offer free trials, and more.
Key Takeaways
- A total of 12 television networks provide full TV show episodes and/or other content for free on their websites.
- There are several streaming services that provide TV shows and movies for free, including Pluto TV, the Roku channel, and Tubi.
- Some premium streaming subscription services offer free trial periods.
12 Canadian networks with full episodes for free internet TV
There are 12 networks that stream full episodes online for Canadians, including comedy, drama, action, and more programming. Some network sites even allow you to watch their live news stream 24/7.
Each network mentioned in the table below has two ratings, one for Selection and one for Usability. The Selection rating measures the number of full-episode shows available, and Usability measures user experience.
Each entry below is given one of three possible ratings:
- ✅ The network does well in this area
- – The network does so-so in this area
- ❌ The network does poorly in this area
Click the network names below to go directly to their full episode or video page.
| Network | Selection | Usability | Sample shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&E | – | ✅ | | Bobby Brown: Every Little Step | Cold Case Files | Intervention |
| Bloomberg News | ❌ | ✅ | Live streaming news |
| BNN | – | ✅ | An extensive library of news broadcasts, mostly business-themed. |
| CBC | ✅ | ✅ | Schitt's Creek | The Great British Baking Show | Murdoch Mysteries |
| CP24 | – | ✅ | News episodes and live stream |
| CPAC | – | ✅ | Live streaming of Canadian political meetings, plus related shows and news coverage. |
| CTV | ✅ | ✅ | Golden Girls | MasterChef Canada | Grey's Anatomy |
| Global News | – | – | National, international, and local news |
| Global TV | ✅ | ✅ | Ice Road Truckers | Big Brother Canada | Various Hallmark movies |
| OMNI | ❌ | – | News in Arabic, Filipino, Punjabi, etc. | Various documentaries | Cooking shows |
| TSC | ❌ | ✅ | Live stream of their broadcast |
| VisionTV | ❌ | ❌ | Inspector Morse | Bake and Make Up | The Marlow Murder Club |
Note: This table was last updated on November 26, 2025.
Free TV streaming services in Canada
In addition to the above list of networks offering free internet TV, there are some free TV streaming services worth checking out. These include services such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Tubi.
Take a look at what's available in Canada for free streaming:
| Streaming service | Cost | Details, features, and shows |
|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | $0 | * Live content from hundreds of channels * Contains commercials/ads * Watch shows like Frasier, CSI, Dance Moms, and more |
| Roku channel | One-time cost of purchasing a Roku device ($39 and up) | * Requires a Roku stick/device or Roku TV * Most free content is older * Option to subscribe (paid) to premium channels * Can link to your subscription services * Watch shows like Doc Martin, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Beverly Hillbillies, and more |
| Tubi | $0 | * Ad-supported content * Content library is rather dated * Many channels broadcasting live content * Watch shows like Hell's Kitchen, The IT Crowd, The Magic Schoolbus, and more |
| YouTube | $0 ($7.99/month and up for YouTube Premium, with a free 1-month trial) | * Free with ads * A nearly infinite content library with TV shows, movies, music videos, and much more * Can be accessed on multiple devices * Video clips as well as full-length features * Options to buy or rent movies or shows and/or pay for YouTube Premium (ad-free) * Watch shows like Taskmaster, Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, SpongeBob SquarePants, and more |
| Amazon Prime Video | $0 (with a paid subscription to Amazon Prime) | * Free 30-day Amazon Prime trial * Also provides access to Amazon Prime Music * Option to add (paid) premium channels to your subscription * Watch shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, and more |
Yes, we added Amazon Prime Video, even though it does require a subscription. The video service itself doesn't cost anything – with a Prime account for all of your Amazon deliveries, you can peruse the long list of movies and shows that Prime Video has to offer at no extra cost.
How to get free internet TV
To get started, all you need is a computer with internet that’s capable of streaming video.
But if you don’t want to be hunched over your computer every time you watch one of your favourite shows, here are some components that can really improve your experience.
1. High-speed internet connection
This is essential for fluid playback and for playing HD content.
You’re going to want at least 5 Mbps, but more speed is always better to reduce loading times, improve stream quality, and support multiple streams at the same time.
You’ll also need unlimited bandwidth (or a high bandwidth cap) to make sure you aren’t dinged with crazy overage fees.
2. HDMI cable
In the past, when HDMI cables cost $100 or more, no one plugged their computers into their TVs.
Doing so is much more common now, mostly because you can pick up an HDMI cable almost anywhere for a very reasonable price. They even sell them at Dollarama for around $3 each.
The only time you might need higher bandwidth or top-quality cable is if you want to fully leverage your 4K TV, or if you have a very long cable run (more than 25ft).
3. HDMI-capable streaming device
Usually, we recommend a dedicated Home Theatre PC (HTPC) as the ultimate device for free internet TV, but setting one up can be both overwhelming and expensive for people who are new to streaming.
Here are a few options so you can choose what works for you based on your comfort level:
Easy setup
If you want a small, easy-to-use, and inexpensive device to get your feet wet streaming, I'd recommend the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
It gives you lots of streaming apps to get started, including Netflix (but you won’t be able to stream everything from Canadian network sites like you can with an HTPC).
It only costs about $50, comes with an easy-to-use remote, and it’s basically plug-and-play.
Intermediate setup
A good compromise between a full HTPC with Windows and a limited streaming device is an Android TV box.
If you buy a higher-end box, you can do mostly the same things as with a Windows HTPC, but with the benefit of the huge library of apps on the Google Play Store.
The downside is that some Canadian network sites block Android devices from accessing their streaming video content via mobile web browsers. Still, several bigger networks all have apps that work just fine.
Existing setup
If you’re not ready to buy a dedicated device just yet, most laptops, many tablets, some phones, and video game consoles can connect to your TV and stream video.
If you plan to use an existing computer, tablet, or phone, a Google Chromecast for wireless casting to your TV is a super convenient way to go.
Pros and cons of free internet TV
Let's take a look at a few more of the benefits and downsides of free online TV:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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The future of internet TV? Best streaming services
Instead of paying for channels you never watch, choosing subscription services can help you save money. This way, you can pay closer to $20 per month for one or two services that you actually use and love, rather than 1600 cable channels to get lost in.
Here's a quick look at some of your options right now in Canada:
| Streaming service in Canada | Monthly plan | Annual plan | Free trial or promotion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | * $7.99 Standard with ads * $18.99 Standard * $23.99 Premium | * N/A | * N/A |
| Amazon Prime Video | * $4.99 for students (with Amazon Prime membership) * $9.99 (with Amazon Prime membership) | * $49 for students * $99 | * Six months for students * One month |
| Apple TV+ | * $14.99 | N/A | * Seven days * One month with Apple One subscription * Three months with the purchase of a new Apple device |
| Paramount+ | * $7.99 Essential * $12.99 Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | * $59.99 Essential * $119.99 Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | * Seven days |
| Crave | * $11.99 Basic * $22.00 Premium | * $89.99 Basic (increases to $119.99 after the first year) * $129.99.00 Premium (increases to $222 after the first year) | * N/A |
| Discovery+ | * $5.99 (with ads) * $9.99 (no ads) | * N/A | * Not specified |
| Britbox | * 10.99 | * $109.99 * $149.99 Premier | * 7 days (for monthly subscribers only) |
| Acorn | * $10.99 | * $109.99 | * 7 days |
| Crunchyroll | * $9.99 Fan * $12.49 Mega Fan | * $99.99 Fan * $103.99 Mega Fan (increases to $124.99 after the first year) | * 7 days |
| Shudder | * $8.99 | * $89.99 | * 7 days |
| Disney+ | * $8.99 Standard with ads * $15.99 Standard * $16.99 Premium | * $159/99 Standard * $169.99 Premium | * N/A |
| DAZN | * $54.99 DAZN Standard * $39.99 DAZN Ultimate * $54.99 DAZN+ Standard * $59.99 DAZN+ Ultimate * $53.99 DAZN Soccer * $58.99 DAZN Soccer Ultimate | * $249.99 DAZN Standard * $269.99 DAZN Ultimate * $449.99 DAZN+ Standard * $469.99 DAZN+ Ultimate * $429.99 DAZN Soccer * $449.99 DAZN Soccer Ultimate | * N/A |
| Sportsnet+ | * $29.99 Standard * $42.99 Premium | * $249.99 Standard * $324.99 Premium | * N/A |
| TSN+ | * $8.00 | * $80 | N/A |
Note: This table was last updated on November 26, 2025.
Best for the most content: Netflix
It's not hard to see why Netflix is one of the country's favourite streaming services. First launched in Canada in 2010, Netflix now has more than 84 million subscribers across the U.S. and Canada, offers both television and movie content, and provides several tiers of pricing and service.
- Extensive entertainment library
- Huge variety of genres and subgenres
- Pay for what you want
- Set up multiple profiles
- Different libraries depending on country
- No free trial
- Be 18 years or older
- Access to Netflix originals
- Huge entertainment library
- Separate and extensive kids' section
- Multi-language subtitles
Arguably the most popular online streaming option, Netflix has largely paved the way for the rest of the platforms.
With thousands of movies and TV shows at your fingertips, Netflix has developed a sleek user experience complete with individual profiles, robust categorization, and children's content.
When it comes to monthly pricing, Netflix has three levels:
- Standard with ads: $7.99 for two simultaneous streams, with ads
- Standard: $18.99 for two simultaneous streams with no ads, full HD, and the ability to add one extra out-of-household member
- Premium: $23.99 for four simultaneous streams with no ads, ultra HD, and the ability to add two extra out-of-household members
Best for extra perks: Amazon Prime Video
Did you know? Amazon Prime Video is included with your Amazon Prime membership, giving you access to a massive streaming library of more than 22,000 shows and movies, plus award-winning Amazon Originals you won’t find anywhere else. There’s certainly no shortage of entertainment. Students can also enjoy Prime membership at a discounted rate, making it one of the more affordable streaming options in Canada.
- Exclusive access to Amazon originals
- Live news and sports events
- One of many Amazon Prime perks
- Extra fee to avoid ads
- Costly add-on channels
- Automatic renewal
- Be 18 years or older
- Included with Amazon Prime subscription
- Multi-language subtitles
- Access to Amazon originals
If you already have Amazon Prime, one of the major perks you may not be taking advantage of is Amazon Prime Video. This competitive video streaming platform hosts plenty of movies and TV content, including its own original content.
For additional monthly fees, you can get add-on channels to expand your library. You can also buy or rent movies on the platform. Though convenient, these options can get expensive fast.
The best part? This comes as part of your standard $9.99 monthly Amazon Prime fee (though many titles are behind additional paywalls).
Best for family content: Disney+
Disney+ is one of the newer streaming platforms available in Canada, launched in November 2019. It provides classic original Disney content as well as popular programming from franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, offering its adult audiences just as much (if not more) content as its younger viewers.
- Extensive library - more than just kids' programming
- 4K streaming, offline viewing, and more
- Content ratings control
- Lots of promos from various partnerships
- Middling prices
- No free trial
- Be 18 years or older
- Multi-language subtitles/audio
- Parental controls
- Up to 7 different profiles
- Access to the latest and classic Disney content
Though Disney owns a lot more than the rights to iconic children's movies, Disney+ is still the best choice for someone who is family-centred (or at least loves Disney movies).
For a starting price of $8.99 per month, you can get access to content from these creators and many others:
- Disney
- Pixar
- Star
- Marvel
- National Geographic
Best for relationship, food, and home reno content: Discovery+
If you love watching 90 Day Fiancé or one of the many home renovation shows on HGTV, Discovery+ will be a gold mine for you.
If you love food and house shows, you'll find many options at your fingertips. It’s also great for those with curious minds, with prime access to Planet Earth, Battlebots, and, of course, Shark Week.
Here are the Discovery+ pricing tiers:
- $5.99 per month with ads
- $9.99 with no ads
As one of the cheapest options on the list, this newcomer to Canadian TV streaming is an interesting choice.
Watch American Netflix and American networks in Canada
You should have plenty of content to watch across all the Canadian networks listed above, but there’s even more available south of the border. Just like Canada, several networks offer full-length episodes on their own websites. In fact, a lot more American networks offer this than Canadian ones.
The U.S. also has two other big advantages over us when it comes to entertainment: American Netflix and Hulu.
Hulu is an alternative for streaming live TV and on-demand shows. It has a user-friendly website and super cheap plans supported by ads (removing the ads makes it more expensive). Unfortunately, it's not available in Canada.
In the past, U.S. Netflix offered more content than Canadian Netflix, but that’s no longer the case. Some estimates claim there are about 6,700 movies and TV shows available on Canadian Netflix, compared with around 6,100 on American Netflix.
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FAQ
Can I watch TV on the internet for free?
Yes, there are several sites and platforms you can use to watch TV online for free. Some of these options are television network sites, and some are free streaming sites, plus many streaming subscriptions offer free trials.
Can I get free internet TV in Canada?
Yes, several Canadian networks host free internet TV on their websites, though the number has been decreasing. The trend is that these networks are now creating their own streaming subscription services or adding their content to existing services.
Where can I watch live TV online for free?
There are plenty of free websites that will let you watch online TV, but some are much more reliable than others. Your safest bet is to watch directly from the channel's website – and we've listed many options for Canadians.
How do I access American Netflix in Canada?
While Canadian Netflix has improved significantly in recent years, there's still a way to watch the American version: simply use a VPN to change the source country of your internet traffic, and you can watch what you like.
Which free TV app is the best?
Apps and streaming services vary considerably in the content they offer. YouTube probably has the most content and the most varied content, but Amazon Prime Video provides the most value, since it's free with a paid Amazon Prime subscription.
Which app has all TV channels free?
While it would be handy to have one app that streamed all TV channels for free, there isn’t one. YouTube likely has the most extensive content library, though it isn't all full movies or TV episodes.
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Comments
Hey Toni,
Yes, you should be able to stream the sites listed here on your laptop no problem! You can even stream on your phone if you'd like :)
Hello Dennis,
Have you looked into Slingbox? I've heard that works pretty well. And according to their FAQ, you don't need a VPN to watch your Canadian television.
Hope this helps!
Hey Sarah, thanks for writing in.
I did a bit of research and not sure if there's any perfect solutions for you. The best sports streaming service I can find for Canada is SportsNet Now for $19.99 to $27.99 a month. I've read that there are select games available from the Scottish Premiership on this program, but not sure how many and if it would justify the pricetag.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. Canada really needs to step up its sports streaming game.