As an avid TV watcher residing in Canada, I know the frustration of feeling like your local news and primetime shows are locked behind an expensive cable subscription. If you’ve seen the restrictive streaming landscape in the U.S., you might assume you have to pay top dollar to access your local channels.
Thankfully, the Canadian broadcasting structure is much more consumer-friendly. Major Canadian networks like CBC, CTV, Global TV, and Citytv have made their content incredibly accessible through their own dedicated apps. These platforms offer free, ad-supported streaming of their local news feeds. Crucially, they also provide next-day on-demand access to the massive American hits they simulcast.
While these services offer fantastic free content, I personally believe CBC Gem provides the best overall free experience. It combines live regional news with a robust VOD library featuring acclaimed Canadian originals. But keep reading to see my full perspective, as I outline how each app delivers local Canadian content.
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Best streaming services for local Canadian channels
Before we dive into the specifics of each app, here’s a quick, at-a-glance summary of the primary free and paid services I recommend for catching your local Canadian channels.
The key takeaway here is simple. If you can wait 24 hours after a show airs, you can access almost all major primetime content for free using the networks’ own apps.
| Service | Price | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| CBC Gem | Free–$5.99/mo. | Free live stream of local CBC channels (including news), VOD library, and Canadian/international content. A Premium plan unlocks ad-free streaming and CBC News Network. |
| Citytv+ | Free–$9.99/mo. | Free access to local CityNews feeds. Paid subscription required for the live Citytv entertainment content and channels like FX and Bravo. |
| CTV App | Free | Next-day VOD access to major U.S. and Canadian shows. Live network stream requires cable login. |
| Global TV App | Free | Next-day VOD access to major U.S. shows (like Survivor). Free 24/7 live Global News streams. |
Data effective as of post date.
CBC Gem
CBC Gem is arguably the most generous streaming service in Canada when it comes to free local content. As the public broadcaster, the CBC is mandated to be accessible across the country, and its app reflects that.
With the free, ad-supported tier, you can stream your local CBC channel live, meaning you get real-time access to your regional CBC News broadcasts, national programming, and live sports. The free tier also provides a huge library of on-demand Canadian content and acquired series. If you upgrade to the $5.99-a-month premium tier, you get the same access but entirely ad-free, plus a bonus live feed of CBC News Network.
Citytv+
Citytv+ is the digital home of the Citytv network. Owned by Rogers, it’s best known for its powerhouse lineup of U.S. primetime dramas (like the Chicago franchise) and its localized CityNews broadcasts.
When you download the app, you can stream your local CityNews feed for free in many major markets. But to unlock the full live Citytv network feed and the expanded library of channels, you’ll need either a paid Citytv+ subscription or a valid TV provider login.
Unfortunately, the shift from a standard Citytv app to the Citytv+ model puts more content behind a paywall. But free, ad-supported news is still very much available without needing an account of any kind.
CTV App
I find the CTV App essential for anyone who follows major U.S. network hits like Grey’s Anatomy, The Amazing Race, and The Masked Singer. Bell Media’s CTV is a content behemoth, but it mainly uses the app to drive traffic to its specialty channels.
The CTV App offers free, next-day access to most of its on-demand library of U.S. and Canadian series. Like Citytv, the main live CTV network feed is almost always locked behind a paid TV provider login. But if you’re only interested in catching up on episodes the next day, the free tier is perfectly adequate for most content.
Global TV App
Corus Entertainment’s Global TV is the third major private network in Canada to offer a standalone streaming app. Global is the exclusive home to long-running hits like Survivor and NCIS, which draw huge viewership across Canada.
The Global TV App follows the standard model: Episodes are available for free (ad-supported) the day after they air. A major standout feature I highly recommend is the free, 24/7 Global News live streams. You can access both the national feed and several regional news feeds directly within the app, giving you instant, no-login access to breaking news coverage.
Other streaming services to consider
Beyond the dedicated broadcaster apps, there are several other ways to access local content depending on your needs. Whether you want a bundle of live channels or just 24/7 breaking news, here are the best alternatives.
- Paid bundles: If you want the convenience of streaming live channels without a cable box, you’ll need a subscription. StackTV (available via Amazon Prime Video) includes a live feed of Global TV alongside popular networks like Home Network and Flavour Network. Alternatively, Fubo Canada integrates these same live channels directly into its Premium and Entertainment plans.
- Free 24/7 news: For strictly news access, you don’t even need a standalone streaming service. CBC News and Global News maintain free, 24/7 live streams on platforms like YouTube and Pluto TV. This is the easiest way to watch breaking news without a login.
- French-language TV: Radio-Canada’s ICI TOU.TV is the gold standard for French-language content. It offers extensive free, ad-supported TV series, films, and news from across the country.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on Crave. Bell Media recently expanded the platform to include CTV, CTV2, and Noovo directly. This update adds a free, ad-supported tier that lets you stream local news and entertainment from these networks.
Streaming local channels in Canada FAQ
Can I stream local Canadian channels for free?
Yes, all major networks (CBC, CTV, Global, Citytv) offer free apps that include live local news and next-day on-demand access to hit shows. But CBC Gem is the only one that streams its entire main channel live for free.
Does Fubo Canada have local channels?
Yes, Fubo Canada includes Global TV in its base plan. This makes it a solid alternative to cable if you want local content alongside specialty channels and sports networks.
Is YouTube TV available in Canada?
No, YouTube TV is a subscription-based live TV service exclusive to the United States. But many Canadian broadcasters, including CBC News and Global News, provide their 24/7 live news feeds on the standard YouTube platform, which is available in Canada.
Can I stream local French-language TV in Canada?
Yes. Radio-Canada (the French-language arm of the CBC) offers its own dedicated streaming service, ICI TOU.TV. You can also find robust free apps for the major private networks, including TVA+ and Noovo, which function similarly to the CTV and Global apps.
Why you should trust us
For this guide, veteran Canadian writer Ian McLaren tested the streaming apps for major national broadcasters, including CBC, CTV, Global TV, and Citytv. He analyzed the availability of live local news feeds, verified on-demand access to primetime shows, and compared free tiers to available paid plans. His recommendations are built on first-hand testing to help Canadian cord-cutters find the most reliable, cost-effective ways to stay connected via local TV.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
