More Canadians re-evaluating streaming services as subscriptions mount, poll suggests
TORONTO — A new poll sheds light on how Canadians are paying for TV in an era with more streaming options and generally higher price tags.
More Canadians are rethinking their streaming subscriptions, according to a recent poll from the Angus Reid Institute. The survey, conducted from October 19 to 22, found that more than a quarter of Canadians now subscribe to four or more streaming services, up from 17% in 2022. The number of people who have cancelled at least one subscription in the past six months has also increased, from 32% to 37%. Additionally, the number of respondents who canceled more than one subscription more than doubled, from 8% to 17%.
Two-thirds of those who canceled a streaming subscription cited cost as the primary reason, while 32% said they were no longer using the service. The poll surveyed 1,806 Canadian adults online, with 84% saying they subscribe to at least one streaming service. Prime Video and Netflix were the most popular streaming services, with 62% and 60% of respondents, respectively, subscribing to them. Other popular services included Disney Plus (30%) and Crave (29%).
The landscape of streaming services has expanded significantly since Netflix entered the Canadian market in 2010. Recent additions include Paramount Plus in 2021, Pluto TV (2022), and CityTV Plus, which converted from an add-on channel on Prime to a standalone service in 2025. Even the online streaming guide JustWatch recently launched its own streaming service in Canada.
Despite the growing number of streaming options, the poll suggests that traditional cable subscriptions are still on the decline. About half of Canadians now subscribe to cable or satellite TV, down from 71% in 2018 and 88% in 2012. Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, noted that Canadians are experiencing a conundrum: while they are less satisfied with the streaming experience, they also find that the value is no longer good.
Some streaming services now offer lower-cost ad-supported options, but even those rates have increased compared to the past. Kurl said that while technology has pushed Canadians towards streaming, there is no indication of a return to cable subscriptions.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Canadians reconsidering streaming costs as prices rise: poll torontosun.com
