Guides
The Best Way to Cut the Cord in Canada: A Step-by-Step Plan
Millions of Canadian households have already dropped traditional TV. If you want to cut the cord too, the trick is to plan it in the right order so nobody in the house ends up missing the game or the news. Here is the plan we recommend.
Step 1: Write down what you actually watch
For one week, note every channel and show your household watches. Most families are surprised: out of hundreds of channels, they regularly use ten or fifteen. Split the list into three groups:
- Live TV: news, sports, and anything you watch as it airs.
- On demand: series and movies you watch whenever.
- Must-haves: the two or three things nobody will give up.
This list decides everything else.
Step 2: Check your internet
When you cut the cord, your internet becomes your TV service. Check three things:
- Speed: about 10 Mbps per HD stream, 25 Mbps for 4K. Add them up for the number of screens used at once.
- Data cap: most Canadian home plans are unlimited now, but check. Streaming uses 1–3 GB an hour in HD.
- Wi-Fi at the TV: run a speed test on the TV device itself. Weak Wi-Fi causes more problems than slow plans.
Our internet speed guide walks through the test.
Step 3: Consider a free antenna
In and around most Canadian cities, a digital antenna picks up local stations such as CBC, CTV, Global, and Citytv for free, in HD. Coverage depends on where you live and how far you are from the towers. An indoor antenna costs $30–$60; a rooftop one reaches further. It is a nice backup for local news when the internet is down.
Step 4: Choose your live TV replacement
This is where most people who cut the cord land on one of two options:
- Streaming apps from broadcasters, such as CBC Gem, CTV, Global TV, Sportsnet+, and TSN+. Each covers its own channels; costs add up if you need several.
- An IPTV service such as iptvvpro, which gives you a full live channel line-up (Canadian, US, French, and international) in one app for one payment: €45 for a year.
Many households combine an IPTV service for live TV with one on-demand app for the shows they love. See IPTV vs Netflix for how the two fit together.
Step 5: Pick your devices
You probably own most of what you need. A smart TV from the last few years runs most apps. For older TVs, a Fire TV Stick or a Google TV device is the easiest upgrade. See the devices page for what works where, and the setup guide for installation.
Step 6: Run both side by side for a week
Before you cancel anything, use your new setup while cable is still connected. Watch the must-haves on your list. Check the busiest evening hours. Make sure everyone in the house knows how to find their channels. Add favourites for older family members so they do not have to scroll.
Step 7: Cancel cable cleanly
Now cancel the TV part of your bill and keep the internet. Our guide to cancelling Rogers or Bell TV covers the contract check, the retention offer, and returning equipment.
How much you save
A typical example for an Ontario household:
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Cable TV with sports + 2 boxes | ~$120/month | — |
| iptvvpro 1-year plan | — | €45 per year |
| One on-demand streaming app | — | ~$10–$20/month |
| Rough yearly total | ~$1,440 | a few hundred dollars |
Your numbers will differ, but most households that cut the cord save $800–$1,200 a year.
Common mistakes
- Cancelling cable first. Always test the replacement before you cancel.
- Forgetting sports. Sports are the hardest thing to replace. Check your channels carefully. Our NHL without cable guide helps.
- Ignoring Wi-Fi. A $100 mesh system often fixes what a pricier internet plan would not.
- Too many subscriptions. Five streaming apps can cost as much as cable. Review them every few months.
Ready to cut the cord?
Start with the plan above, and when you are ready for live TV, see the iptvvpro plans. If you have a question about channels or devices, message us on WhatsApp before you order.