IPTV vs Cable in Canada: Compare Your TV Bill With USD Plan Totals

How do you work out what cable really costs you in Canada?

Start from your latest statement, not the advertised package price. Add the TV package, every theme pack or individual channel, receiver or PVR rental, and the taxes shown on the bill. That monthly total, multiplied by twelve, is the yearly figure worth comparing.

If your TV is bundled with internet or a phone line, ask your provider what internet would cost on its own. What you save is the difference between your current bill and what you would still pay for internet, not the whole bill.

The CRTC's own checklist for shopping around lists cable, Internet Protocol TV, satellite, online services and over-the-air antenna reception as the ways to watch programming in Canada, and suggests writing down what you pay today and the most you want to pay in the future.

1. Find the monthly TV total on your latest bill, including equipment rental and taxes.
2. Ask your provider for the internet-only price and how any bundle discount changes if TV is removed.
3. Note any promotional rate end date and any fixed-term commitment or cancellation condition.
4. Multiply the TV part of the bill by twelve and write it down as your yearly cable cost.

Is there a cheaper cable option in Canada?

Yes. The CRTC requires TV providers to offer an affordable basic package priced at no more than $25 a month, not including equipment. It includes local and regional stations, channels with mandatory distribution, and community and provincial legislature channels where available. It may also include the American networks ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, and PBS.

Since December 1, 2016, providers must also offer channels both individually and in packages of up to 10 channels. If you only watch a few channels, ask your provider for the basic package plus the specific channels you use before you decide to switch.

Note: The CRTC figure is in Canadian dollars and excludes equipment rental. Twelve months at the $25 maximum come to CAD 300.00 before equipment and taxes.

How do ScanFlick's USD plan totals compare in Canadian dollars?

ScanFlick's four Premium plans are each priced as one total in US dollars for the whole term. Your bank or card issuer converts the amount at its own rate when you pay, and some cards add a foreign transaction fee, so check your card terms.

For a dated reference, the Bank of Canada's indicative daily rate on November 6, 2026 was 1.4113 Canadian dollars per US dollar. At that rate, the 12-month plan's $99.99 total is about CAD 141.12, or about CAD 11.76 a month. The rate changes every business day, so check the current figure before deciding.

Note: The CAD column is an indication only. The amount on your statement depends on your bank's exchange rate and fees on the day you pay.

Will IPTV work well on your Canadian internet connection?

IPTV quality depends on the speed that reaches your TV, how many screens stream at the same time, and your device. Measure the download speed on the TV or streaming device itself at the time you usually watch, and repeat the test on a few different evenings.

Check whether your internet plan has a monthly data allowance. Streaming video uses far more data than browsing, and going over an allowance can cost extra on some plans. Your provider's account page shows your usage and any limit that applies to you.

A wired Ethernet connection or a router placed closer to the TV often makes a bigger difference than a faster internet package. The ScanFlick internet speed and buffering guides cover these checks in detail.

When should Canadians keep cable or satellite?

Cable or satellite can remain the better option, and it is worth checking these situations honestly before you cancel anything.

Satellite customers in remote areas in particular should confirm that their internet can carry streaming at their usual viewing times before giving up the dish.

• Your internet is slow or unstable, or your plan has a low monthly data allowance.
• The CRTC basic package plus a few individual channels already costs you less than you expected.
• Removing TV from your bundle would raise your internet price by more than you would save.
• Someone at home relies on a cable or satellite box and does not want to change apps.
• You need a specific channel and cannot confirm it is available to you through an authorized source.

How do you switch from cable to IPTV in Canada?

Follow these steps in order so you are never left without TV while you check the new setup.

1. Read your latest bill: TV total, equipment, taxes, commitment end date and any cancellation conditions.
2. Ask your provider for the internet-only price and the basic package option, so you know your real alternatives.
3. Measure internet speed on your main TV at your usual viewing time, and check your monthly data allowance.
4. Check your TV or streaming device model in its official app store; the ScanFlick setup guides cover each device family.
5. Choose a plan length you will use for the whole term, remembering that prices are in USD, not CAD.
6. Send a ScanFlick request. No payment is taken on the site; the team confirms the request with you on WhatsApp.
7. Cancel cable and return any rented equipment only once IPTV works on your main TV.