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Canadians Opt for Ad-Supported Streaming Amidst Rising Costs, Report Finds
A new report indicates Canadian consumers are increasingly moving from traditional television services to streaming platforms, even as major streaming providers have increased their subscription fees. This shift is driven by the perception that streaming alternatives offer a more affordable entertainment option despite recent price adjustments.
Canadian consumers are consistently choosing streaming services over conventional cable and satellite television packages, according to the annual Couch Potato Report from Convergence Research, released on Monday. This trend persists even though major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Crave, and Disney Plus have implemented price increases in recent years. Brahm Eiley, president of Convergence Research, noted that individuals are selecting these alternatives because they remain considerably less expensive. The average cost increase for streaming services in 2025 was slightly higher than the previous year, when top providers in Canada increased prices by an average of six per cent. Last year, Netflix raised the cost of its standard Canadian plan with advertisements by $2, bringing it to $7.99 per month. Its ad-free standard plan also saw a $2 increase, and its premium ad-free plan, which supports additional devices, is priced at $23. Disney Plus also adjusted prices for its commercial-free packages in the autumn, with its standard high-definition offering increasing by $3 to $15.99 and its premium 4K package rising by $1 to $16. However, the cost of Disney's standard subscription that includes advertisements remained at $8.
Key Facts
- Canadian consumers are transitioning from traditional cable and satellite television to streaming services like Netflix, Crave, and Disney Plus.
- This shift occurs despite recent price increases by major streaming providers.
- The average cost increase for top streaming providers in Canada was six per cent last year.
- Netflix increased its standard Canadian plan with ads by $2 to $7.99 per month.
- Netflix's standard ad-free plan also rose by $2, and its premium ad-free plan costs $23.
- Disney Plus raised the price of its standard high-definition commercial-free package by $3 to $15.99.
- Disney Plus's premium 4K package increased by $1 to $16.
- The cost of Disney's standard subscription with advertisements remained at $8.
Primary Source
Research Sources
- Yahoo! Finance — Canadians increasingly choosing to stream with ads as prices rise: report