The Cost of Cable TV in Canada (2027)
How much Canadians really pay for cable, the fees that hide in the bill, and exactly how much switching to IPTV saves. A data-backed report.
Last updated: January 2027
The short answer
The average Canadian household pays $85 to $130 a month for cable TV, and $110 to $165 once introductory pricing ends. Add equipment rental, install fees and cancellation penalties, and the true cost climbs higher. By comparison, a SONIX IPTV plan is $6.58 a month, which saves a typical household well over $1,000 a year.
Canadian TV pricing at a glance
| Option | Monthly | Per year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic cable (CRTC-regulated) | $25/mo | $300 | Skinny basic, equipment extra |
| Average cable TV package | $85 to $130/mo | $1,020 to $1,560 | Bell, Rogers, Telus tier |
| Cable after intro rate expires | $110 to $165/mo | $1,320 to $1,980 | Year 2 pricing |
| Cable + internet + phone bundle | ~$191/mo | ~$2,292 | CRTC reported average |
| SONIX IPTV (annual plan) | $6.58/mo | $79 | 54,000+ channels, 4K, no contract |
The fees cable hides in your bill
The sticker price is only part of the story. Canadian cable bills routinely add:
- Equipment rental: $10 to $20 a month, per cable box.
- Installation: $75 to $150 one time.
- Cancellation penalties: $150 to $400 to leave a contract early.
- Annual increases: 3% to 5% a year, so your bill grows even if nothing else changes.
How much you save by switching to IPTV
At $100 a month for cable, you spend $1,200 a year. SONIX is $79 a year, so you keep about $1,121 in year one, and roughly $2,242 over two years, before the cable fees above. Run your own numbers with the IPTV vs cable savings calculator.
Why Canadian cable costs so much
Prices are set by a small group of large providers, packages bundle channels you never watch, and equipment rental is effectively mandatory. IPTV removes those layers: you stream over the internet you already pay for, on devices you already own, and you only pay for the service. That structural difference is why the gap is so large, and why more Canadians cut the cord every year. Learn more in IPTV vs cable TV in Canada or see how IPTV works.
Sources
Figures compiled from CRTC communications-market reporting and public Canadian provider pricing. Cable ranges reflect standard published tiers before promotional discounts and after they expire. SONIX pricing reflects the current annual plan.
Cost of Cable in Canada, Answered
The questions Canadians ask before cutting the cord.
The average Canadian household pays roughly $85 to $130 per month for cable TV, rising to $110 to $165 after introductory rates expire. The CRTC has reported the average combined cable, internet and phone bill at about $191 per month.
Canadian cable pricing is driven by a small number of large providers, mandatory equipment rental, bundled packages that force you to pay for channels you never watch, and annual rate increases of 3 to 5 percent. Cancellation penalties and installation fees add further cost.
IPTV is far cheaper. A SONIX IPTV subscription is $6.58 per month on the annual plan versus $85 to $165 per month for cable, a saving of well over $1,000 per year, with more channels and 4K quality included.
Stop Overpaying for TV. Switch to SONIX
Join thousands of Canadians watching 54,000+ channels in 4K. No contract, cancel anytime.