Canada has more free live TV options than most people realise. Between CBC Gem, CTV, Pluto TV, and Samsung TV Plus, you can watch hundreds of channels without paying a cent — legally.
This guide covers the 13 best free live TV apps available to Canadian viewers in 2026, plus a clear-eyed look at when a paid IPTV subscription like Apollo Group TV is worth the upgrade.
Top 13 Free Live TV Apps — Canada 2026
- 1.CBC Gem — Best for Canadian content
- 2.CTV — Best for CTV channels
- 3.Global TV — Best for Global Network
- 4.Pluto TV — Most live channels (250+)
- 5.Tubi — Largest free VOD library
- 6.Samsung TV Plus — Built into Samsung TVs
- 7.LG Channels — Built into LG TVs
- 8.Crackle — Best for free movies
- 9.Plex (Free tier) — Best free hub app
- 10.CBC News — Best for Canadian news
- 11.CityTV — Best for City network
- 12.TVOKids — Best free Canadian kids TV
- 13.APTN lumi — Best for Indigenous content
CBC Gem
CBC Gem is Canada's official free streaming service. It streams CBC television live and has one of the largest free Canadian on-demand libraries — documentaries, CBC Originals, news, and classic Canadian shows. You can watch without an account, though signing in (free) unlocks more content.
CTV
The CTV app streams CTV, CP24 (news), CTV Sci-Fi, CTV Drama, and CTV Comedy channels live for free. It also has an on-demand library. Sports clips and highlights are available but full live TSN is paywalled — you need a cable or IPTV subscription for that.
Global TV
Global TV's app streams Global television live plus Showcase, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, and more for free. It's ad-supported and covers major US network simulcasts (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) via Canadian Global affiliates.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers 250+ free live channels in Canada including news (CNN International, Sky News), entertainment, comedy, movies, and sports highlights. No signup required. Available natively on Firestick, Android TV, Roku, Samsung, and LG Smart TVs.
Tubi
Tubi has one of the largest free on-demand libraries in Canada with 55,000+ movies and shows. Tubi Live adds free live TV channels (news, kids, sports highlights). It's ad-supported and fully free — no credit card needed.
Samsung TV Plus
Samsung TV Plus is pre-installed on all Samsung Smart TVs sold in Canada and offers 100+ free live channels. Channels include news (CTV News, Global News), entertainment, kids, and lifestyle content. Zero setup required — just turn on your Samsung TV and navigate to TV Plus.
LG Channels
LG Channels (formerly LG Channels Live) provides 100+ free live channels directly on LG Smart TVs. Like Samsung TV Plus, it requires no setup and is available instantly. Includes news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels for Canadian viewers.
Crackle
Crackle offers free movies and TV shows in Canada with ad support. While it doesn't have live TV, it has a solid library of Hollywood films and original series. A good complement to live TV apps when you want something to watch on demand.
Plex (Free tier)
Plex's free tier includes Plex TV — live TV channels and a large on-demand library, all ad-supported. Plex is also a media server app for your personal collection. On compatible devices, Plex Live TV (free tier) gives access to 300+ channels of news, entertainment, and movies.
CBC News
The CBC News app streams CBC News Network live 24/7 for free. Breaking news, live political coverage, and national news are all available at no cost. The app also has news clips and podcasts from CBC Radio.
CityTV
CityTV's app lets you stream City, Citytv Movies, Cosmopolitan TV, and other Rogers Media channels live for free. It carries popular US dramas and reality shows via network simulcast agreements.
TVOKids
TVO is Ontario's educational public broadcaster and its app streams live TV plus on-demand content free. TVOKids is commercial-free, making it an excellent option for families with young children in Canada.
APTN lumi
APTN lumi is the free streaming app from the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. It streams APTN live and has an extensive on-demand library of Indigenous Canadian content — news, documentaries, dramas, and kids programming — free with ads.
When a Paid IPTV Subscription Is Worth It
Free live TV apps cover the basics — but they have real limits. Here's when upgrading to Apollo Group TV makes sense:
→ You want live sports (TSN, Sportsnet, RDS, ESPN)
Free apps don't include TSN, Sportsnet, or RDS live. Apollo Group TV includes all Canadian sports networks plus ESPN, ESPN, and beIN Sports.
→ You want international channels
Free Canadian apps are Canada-only. Apollo Group TV includes channels from 50+ countries — UK, US, France, Italy, Arabic, South Asian, and more.
→ You're tired of ads interrupting your viewing
Free apps are ad-supported. Apollo Group TV is ad-free — live TV plays like cable with no mid-show breaks.
→ You want 4K and HD quality
Free apps often stream in SD or 720p. Apollo Group TV offers HD and 4K UHD on supported channels.
→ You want a TV guide (EPG) for all channels
Free apps have inconsistent EPG. Apollo Group TV includes a full 7-day EPG for all 55,000+ channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free live TV app in Canada?
CBC Gem is Canada's best free live TV app — it streams CBC television live and offers a large on-demand library of Canadian content. CTV is a close second, offering CTV, CP24, and TSN clips free without a subscription.
Can I watch live sports for free in Canada?
Yes, but options are limited. CBC broadcasts some NHL games and major Canadian events free via CBC Gem. For live NFL, NBA, Premier League, and full TSN/Sportsnet coverage, a paid IPTV subscription like Apollo Group TV is the most affordable option at $19.99/month.
Is Pluto TV available in Canada?
Yes, Pluto TV is available in Canada and offers 250+ free live channels including news, entertainment, and movies. Content is ad-supported and available without sign-up on Firestick, Android TV, Roku, and in the browser.
Is Tubi available in Canada?
Yes. Tubi is available in Canada and offers thousands of free movies and TV shows on demand. Tubi also has a live TV section with news channels. It's ad-supported and free — no subscription or credit card required.
What's the difference between free live TV apps and IPTV subscriptions?
Free live TV apps (CBC Gem, CTV, Pluto TV) are ad-supported and offer limited Canadian channels. A paid IPTV subscription like Apollo Group TV gives you 55,000+ channels including TSN, Sportsnet, RDS, ESPN, international channels, and 180,000+ VOD titles — all without ads, starting at $19.99/month.
Want more Canadian channels than the free apps offer? Try Apollo Group TV free for 24 hours — 55,000+ channels including TSN, Sportsnet, and RDS.
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Apollo Group TV gives you 180,000+ Canadian and international channels — starting at $19.99/month. Try it free for 24 hours.
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