How to Cut the Cord in Canada: A Practical Step-by-Step Plan

Step 1: List what your household actually watches

Take one week and write down what everyone watches: live news, hockey nights, a few series, kids' shows, movies on weekends. Most families find that they use a small part of their cable package. This list decides everything else, so do not skip it.

Sort each item into one of three types:

• Live and local: local news, weather, live events.
• On demand: series and movies you can watch any time.
• Live sports: games you want to see as they happen.

Step 2: Check your internet first

Once cable is gone, all your TV comes through the internet. Check two things in your internet plan:

• Speed: about 25 to 30 Mbps per screen for HD, and 50 Mbps for 4K. Two TVs watching HD at the same time need about 50 to 60 Mbps. Our guide to internet speed for IPTV explains how to test it on the TV itself.
• Data: streaming uses a lot of data. Many Canadian plans are unlimited, but some still have a monthly cap. Check yours before you switch.

If your internet is bundled with cable TV, ask your provider for the price of internet alone. Sometimes the bundle discount disappears when you remove TV, and you want to know that number in advance. Our line-by-line guide to the hidden costs of cable TV helps you work out what TV really costs you today.

Step 3: Pick the right mix of options

An antenna is the forgotten option. In and around many Canadian cities, a simple indoor or rooftop antenna picks up local stations in HD for free. Check which broadcast towers are near your address before buying one, since range varies a lot with distance and terrain.

Streaming apps are great for series, but each one has its own catalogue and price. Pick the one or two that match your list, and rotate: subscribe for the months when your shows are on, then pause.

IPTV fills the live part: channels, news, sports and international TV, in one app, on the devices you already own. It is the closest thing to the cable experience, with a channel list and a TV guide. If you moved to Canada recently, our guide for newcomers covers TV from back home.

Step 4: Use the devices you already have

Most smart TVs from the last few years can install streaming and IPTV apps directly. If yours cannot, a streaming stick plugged into an HDMI port turns any TV into a smart TV. There is no box to rent and no technician visit. Not sure which to use? Compare smart TV apps and streaming sticks. Our setup guide covers Fire TV, Android, Samsung, LG, Apple and MAG devices.

Step 5: Test everything for a week before you cancel

Do not cancel cable on day one. Run your new setup alongside it for a week, including the evenings and the games you care about most. Check the picture on every TV in the house, at the busiest hours, and see our tips for IPTV on several TVs. If something does not work, you still have time to adjust.

Step 6: Cancel cable the right way

1. Read your contract or ask about early cancellation fees, and the exact end date of your billing cycle.
2. Call and cancel, and write down the date, the name of the agent and the confirmation number.
3. Return the rented equipment on time and keep the receipt. Unreturned boxes are a common surprise on the last bill.
4. Check your next two bills to make sure the TV service and equipment rental are gone.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Stacking too many streaming apps until the total is close to the old cable bill.
• Forgetting the Wi-Fi in the room where the main TV sits. A cable or a mesh point can solve it.
• Cancelling before testing the live events that matter most to your household.