The ongoing inflation surge is causing everyone to re-evaluate their finances and become more cautious about spending. As a result, it may be the right time to consider cutting the cable TV cord and exploring streaming services that fit your budget, ensuring you get the content you actually watch.
Too often, we’re paying hundreds of dollars for services we’re only half-using, and with the ever-increasing costs, there has never been a better time to ‘cut the cord’ and do away with traditional TV services.
STEP 1: High Speed Internet
Before you start, you need to ensure you’re on an internet plan that will support household streaming. The benefit on streaming on an MCSnet internet plan, is that you can adjust your package based on how much you stream. Kids home for Christmas break and using up all of your data? Upgrade to a higher package for the month, and then when the kiddos are back in school, you can move back down to your regular package.
MCSnet customers can contact customer support to ensure they’re on the best package to serve all their streaming needs.
STEP 2: Streaming Devices
Once you’ve secured the right plan, explore what streaming device will work best. Common services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Crave TV are commonly built into smart TV or gaming consoles, or you can purchase a device such as a Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, or mirror from your laptop with a direct HDMI connection.
STEP 3: Streaming Services
Once you have the right internet plan and streaming device, you need to explore the various streaming platforms that suit your household’s tastes and preferences. Some providers offer trial periods to explore the content they offer. You’ll enjoy significant savings and the freedom to disconnect without lengthy contracts. Even if the service doesn’t have a trial period, there are no contracts and you can cancel the service at any time. Remember, that the credit card you use to sign up will automatically be charged monthly until you cancel.
Here are some of our favourite streaming services you might want to check out for your household:
Netflix
The most familiar streaming service is Netflix. The one-time movie rental service paved the way for all streaming platforms. Beyond the original content, there’s a variety of TV series that ensures something for everyone. Netflix removed their free trial in October 2020, so you must pay for one month to try this subscription service.
Price: $5.99 per month for the basic level (includes advertising) with viewing in HD and one simultaneous stream, and up to $20.99 per month for the premium level that allows for viewing in 4K where available and up to four simultaneous streams.
What You’ll Get on Netflix:
- You can cancel your subscription at any time on the website
- Access to a library of over 2,524 TV shows and 4,467 movies
- Options for Ultra High Definition in 4K
- The ability to download content from the platform for offline viewing (not with Basic)
- Apps available for Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and Amazon FireStick, Roku Stick, and Chromecast
- Set up multiple profiles, so every member of the household can create their watchlist and get personalized recommendations
- Kids profile with parental controls
- Watch with closed captions
Here’s a list of all releases on Netflix in January 2024
Crave
Crave is a Canadian subscription service. The service features Bell Media’s original programming and access to other suppliers such as HBO / HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz (additional charge for add-ons).
Price: Crave offers monthly and yearly plan options. To buy Crave monthly you can choose a basic plan at $9.99 per month with 1 stream and up to 720p video quality. This basic plan is 99.90 plus GST yearly. A standard plan costs $14.99 per month and allows for up to 4 streams at the same time and 4K video quality. This standard plan is $149.90 plus GST yearly. Both these options come with Ads and you cannot use offline downloads or live channels. The premium monthly plan is $19.99 per month, allows up to 4K video quality and allows for 4 streams, offline downloads, live channels and is Ad-free.
What You’ll Get on Crave:
- You can cancel your subscription at any time on the website
- Optional French-language content
- 4K definition with the Standard and Premium Plans
- Crave Original, HBO Original, max Original, Hollywood Blockbusters and Kids Collection all included
- Get even more content with the STARZ Add-on for $5.99 per month plus GST
- Theatrically released movies from studios like WB and Lionsgate
- Download to watch later offline with Premium Plan
- Live Channels available with Premium Plan
- One week free trial for first time subscribers. Sing-up on website required and credit card information will need to be provded at the time of sign-up
Here’s a list of all releases on Crave in January 2024
Amazon Prime Video
It’s no secret that Amazon is one of the biggest companies in the world right now. And with its Prime Video service, Amazon is aiming to dominate the streaming industry and rival the other big brands. One of the best things about Amazon Prime Video is the sheer quantity of content on its service. Users can enjoy thousands upon thousands of shows and films. There are also many “Amazon Originals” that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Price: Included if an Amazon Prime subscriber. Otherwise, $8.99 per month or $99.00 per year plus GST.
What You’ll Get on Amazon Prime Video:
- You can cancel your subscription at any time on the website
- Video is included if you already have a Prime membership
- Over 20,000 movies and over 25,000 shows to indulge in
- Amazon original TV show and Amazon Original Films
- The ability to subscribe to premium and specialty channels including: StackTV, Paramount Plus, STARZ, Sportsnet, Discovery plus, Citytv plus, AMC plus, Hayu and britbox to the subscription for additional costs
- Watch Global Edmonton News and Global National News for free.
- Watch anywhere: Enjoy from the web or with the Prime Video app on your phone, tablet, or select Smart TVS – on up to 3 devices at once
- Download and go: Watch offline on the Prime Video app when you download titles to your iPhone, iPad, Tablet or Android device.
- X-Ray for more: Use X-Ray for Movies and TV to dientify actors and songs, explore actor bios, view trivia and more
- Data Saver: Control data usage while downloading and watching videos on select phone or tablets
- Android Amazon Prime Video app supports 4K streaming for select movies and TV shows
- 30-day free trial. Sing-up on website required and credit card information will need to be provided at the time of sign-up
- Prime membership benefits include FREE two-day shipping, FREE same-day or one-day delivery when available, Prime Music, Twitch Prime, early access to deals and much more
What to watch on Amazon Prime Video in January 2024
Disney+
This app is bringing back all of your childhood Disney favourites and adding more content you’ll love now, even if you don’t have kids! You’ll get movies and TV shows produced by Disney, Marvel, and Pixar Studios movies, the Star Wars franchise, National Geographic and STAR.
Price: Disney Plus starts at $7.99 per month plus GST where you can get 1080p full HD video quality and get two streaming devices. The Standard plan is $11.99 per month and you can purchase this plan yearly for $119.99 plus GST. With the Standard plan you will get to download movies and shows onto your device and the streaming is ad-free. The Premium plan with Disney plus allows for 4K UHD and HDR video quality and streaming for up to 4 devices at the same time. This Premium plan is $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year plus GST.
What You’ll Get on Disney+:
- Access to approximately 1,600+ award winning blockbusters and exclusives
- Watch over 28,000 episodes of comedy, drama, true crime, and more
- New and exclusive movies and series released each week
- Up to seven profiles on one account
- Stream in 4K with the Premium plan
- Includes robust, easy-to-use parental controls to help manage what your little ones and family watch
Here’s a list of all January 2024 releases on Disney+
Apple TV+
Apple TV Plus launched in November 2019. It offers a selection of original production movies and television series and is in partnership with MLB Friday Night Baseball.
You can access it through Apple’s website and the Apple TV app, which is available for download on most common streaming devices.
Price: $12.99 per month after a seven day free trial.
What You’ll Get on Apple TV:
- Seven-day free trial or three months free when you buy an eligible Apple device
- When you set up family sharing on an Apple device, it can be shared with multiple family members
- Streams in 4K where available
- Ad free
- Customize multiple users
- Allows up to six simultaneous streams at once
Find out what’s coming to Apple TV+
Sportsnet+
Watch all live sports broadcast over traditional TV services via Sportsnet+. Stream the NHL, NBA, MLB, UFC and more. Watch on your big screen through Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV or Android TV. Watch on the go with your smartphone or tablet.
Price: $19.99 per month for the Standard package ($14.99/mo if paid annually).
What You’ll Get on Sportsnet+
- NHL In-Market Regional & National Games
- Every Stanley Cup Playoff Game
- Up to 162 Blue Jays Games, Marquee MLB Games
- Every MLB Postseason Game Select Raptors & NBA Games
- UFC Fight Nights, PPV Prelims & Original Programming
- An option to upgrade to Premium with 1,000+ Out-of-Market NHL Games, In-Market Regional & National Games, WWE Network and Live Events, FA Cup, Rugby & More!
Here’s more sports channels options available in Canada, depending on your watch list.
How to Save More Money While Streaming
You don’t need all of the streaming services available in Canada, so pick and choose one or two subscriptions to meet the needs of your regular TV viewing. Like to watch the local news morning show? Amazon Prime Video offers free live viewing of local and national Global news programming. Plus you will have the added benefits of Amazon Prime features.
There are other free streaming services available to you such as Pluto TV and Tubi TV with no sign in required. You may see some advertising, but hey, it’s free.
Are you interested in streaming a new HBO series you’ve seen advertised? Sign up for Crave and then when you are done watching the series, you can unsubscribe. There are no penalties and you can always re-subscribe when the new season of your favourite series comes out next year.
Are you ready to cut the cord and take control of your TV viewing? MCSnet can help you with a residential internet package that suits your household’s streaming habits. Cutting the cord is one way to stretch those household dollars further and exercise flexibility with your entertainment choices.
