Streaming bills on the rise? These ad-supported services are free of charge

Keeping track of the growing number of ad-supported video streaming options launching in Canada isn't easy, but it can help trim your monthly bills. Here's a quick guide to some of the top services, both livestreaming and on-demand.

A guide to ad-supported streaming in Canada

David Friend · The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 31, 2022 1:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 31, 2022

A hand holding a remote is seen in front of a TV screen showing out-of-focus apps. — The following streaming services are available free of charge in Canada. The caveat: each service is ad-supported, with commercials embedded within programming. (Kowit Khamanek/Shutterstock)

Keeping track of the growing number of ad-supported video streaming options launching in Canada isn't easy, but it can help trim your monthly bills.

Here's a quick guide to some of the top services, both live streaming and on-demand, that are available for free — though with commercial breaks:

CBC Gem

Home to a deep selection of on-demand Canadian film and television, the national broadcaster's platform breaks down borders with hit TV programs from around the world, celebrated web series and live events.

What's on it: Exclusive awards shows (including the recently minted Legacy Awards celebrating Black Canadians); popular British comedies Call the Midwife and Ghosts; along with Canadian favourites Murdoch Mysteries and Sort Of.

How many ads: Viewers will see a few minutes of ads per hour or sometimes no commercials at all.

CBC News

CBC's live streaming channel will serve 24 hours of news and current affairs programming through the CBC Gem app and other platforms that will be announced before it launches in late November.

What's on it: A daily news program led by former The National anchor Andrew Chang and an array of CBC documentary programming.

How many ads: To be determined as the service is still under development.

CTV

Brent Butt waves to fans passing by outside the Ruby Cafe, one of numerous Corner Gas sets in Rouleau, Sask. Butt created and starred in Corner Gas, which was popular with both audiences and critics for its six-season run. It is currently available on CTV's free streaming service. (Michael Bell/The Canadian Press)

CTV's streaming app is not only a hub of CTV's network programs offered on-demand, but also boasts an extensive library of hit sitcoms and Hollywood movies.

What's on it: Hundreds of films spanning decades from the archives of Sony Pictures and hit series of yesteryear, including The A Team, Miami Vice, Cold Squad and Corner Gas.

How many ads: Commercial breaks are roughly the length of traditional broadcast TV.

Pluto TV

When Pluto TV launches on Dec. 1, viewers can expect more than 100 streaming channels carrying TV series, movies and sports programming through its website and apps that emulates the experience of channel surfing.

What's on it: Themed channels for comedy, drama and action entertainment, as well as a dedicated festive channel dubbed Christmas 365. Other channels get more granular with marathons exclusively devoted to NCIS, The Love Boat, Judge Judy and Chopped Canada.

How many ads: A Pluto representative says the length of ad breaks will vary by channel.

The Roku Channel

Actor Daniel Radcliffe and Weird Al Yankovic pose for a photograph on the red carpet for the film, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, at the Royal Alexandra Theatre during the Toronto International Film Festival, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press)

Unlike its competitors, the streaming app is exclusively on Roku set-top devices, an effort to build customer loyalty. It includes both on-demand film and TV series and dozens of streaming channels.

What's on it: Roku originals, such as Heathers: The Musical, sit alongside oddities acquired from the short-lived Quibi service, including the Josh Groban-hosted game show Eye Candy, inspired by the "is it cake?" online meme. The buzzworthy comedy Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, which debuts Nov. 4, is Roku's most anticipated original production.

How many ads: When it launched four years ago in Canada, Roku said it aimed to average about a third less advertising per hour than traditional TV. That's about 12 minutes of ads per hour.

Tubi

As the most extensive catalogue among the free services, Tubi's on-demand selection runs the gamut from Hollywood hits to forgotten films relegated to the DVD clearance bin long ago.

What's on it: A rotating mix of studio films from the vaults of MGM, Paramount and Warner Bros. keep the selection fresh, while a small offering of Tubi originals leans toward tabloid documentaries and straight-to-video horror movies about sharks and bigfoot.

How many ads: Frequent breaks in feature films top out at around 12 minutes per hour, but it varies depending on the title and can be less.