Legal internet TV
Cutting the cord in Canada and the USA: the legal options compared
Replacing cable or satellite TV: free over-the-air antenna, free ad-supported streaming, on-demand services, live TV packages and IPTV subscriptions, with how to choose and what to check before you cancel.
Cutting the cord usually means combining two or three things: a free antenna or free ad-supported channels for local news, an on-demand service for movies and series, and a live TV service if you want the channels and sports you watched on cable. Before cancelling, list what you actually watch, check your internet plan, and choose services that are licensed in your country.
The five types of options
| Option | What you get | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over-the-air antenna | Major local broadcast channels in HD | One-time purchase of the antenna | Depends on your distance from transmitters; check coverage maps first |
| Free ad-supported streaming (FAST) | Themed channels and movies with ads | Free | Catalog varies; few premium channels |
| On-demand services | Movies and series, often originals | Monthly subscription per service | Little or no live TV |
| Live TV packages from broadcasters or providers | Live channels, sometimes sports | Monthly subscription | Offers differ a lot between Canada and the USA |
| IPTV subscriptions | Live channels, VOD and replay in one app | Monthly to yearly plans | Choose an identifiable, licensed service |
In Canada
Television and online streaming are overseen by the CRTC. Local channels are available over the air in most cities, French-language content is strong on broadcaster platforms, and taxes (GST/HST and provincial taxes) apply to digital subscriptions. Check that a service is offered in your province and in French if that matters to you.
In the United States
Over-the-air reception is widely used, and the choice of live TV streaming services is larger than in Canada. Regional sports and local channels vary by ZIP code: check availability for your address before subscribing.
How to choose in 4 steps
- List what you watch over two weeks: news, sports, series, kids, channels in another language.
- Check your internet: about 10 Mbps per HD screen and 25 Mbps per 4K screen, and no restrictive data cap.
- Pick a device: a smart TV app, or a Fire TV Stick or Google TV device for more choice (see Fire TV Stick vs Google TV Streamer).
- Try before cancelling: use free trials while your cable is still active.
Checklist before cancelling cable
- Read your contract end date and any early termination fee.
- Return the provider’s equipment to avoid charges.
- Check whether your internet price changes once TV is removed from a bundle.
- Make sure every service you keep is licensed: see How to tell whether an IPTV service is legal.
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