What an IPTV Subscription in Canada Actually Includes

Cable bills hide their structure in tiers, packs and rental fees. A well-run IPTV subscription should be the opposite: easy to read on one line. Here's what you get, what you pay for and what sits outside the subscription.

What's Included

How the Price Is Built

Two choices set the price. Nothing else changes it.

• Length: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Longer plans cost less per month: $20 for one month, down to $6.67 a month on the 12-month plan.
• Screens: 1 to 5 at once, each with its own login. See the multi-screen prices.

For the full cost comparison between lengths, read monthly vs. annual.

What Sits Outside the Subscription

• Your internet: you keep your current provider. Plan on 15 Mbps per HD screen.
• A device: if you don't already have one, a streaming stick is a modest one-time purchase.
• Some player apps: a few, especially on Smart TVs, charge their developer a small activation fee. Our Smart TV app guide explains.

Four Things to Check Before Buying Any Subscription

1. Is every channel on every plan? Tiered lineups are a cable habit you don't need.
2. Does it auto-renew? Prepaid with no stored card is the simplest.
3. Is there a written refund policy? Read it before paying, not after.
4. Can you try it first? A free trial is the only preview that matters.