WHAT WE WATCH

In 2013, there were 11.9 million television subscribers in Canada – two-thirds of whom were cable customers, with 22 per cent using satellite providers and 12 per cent using IPTV.

Now entering the picture are new video-streaming services from Rogers, Shaw and Bell that require some level of secondary subscription. To access Shomi you must also be a television or Internet customer of Shaw or Rogers. Cravetv, which launches Thursday, requires users be Bell, Bell Aliant, Telus OptikTV, Eastlink or Northwestel television subscribers.

About half of rural households have access to both cable and satellite options, while the remainder had access to satellite services only. Those in rural areas, as well as the North, also tend to receive fewer channels than those living in urban centres.

STREAMING OPTIONS

Netflix – $8.99 per month for new subscribers (requires Internet connection)

Shomi – $8.99 per month (must be Shaw or Rogers TV or Internet customer, requires Internet connection)

Cravetv – $4 per month (must be Bell, Bell Aliant, Telus OptikTV, Eastlink or Northwestel television subscriber)

iTunes – One-time fee per movie rental (requires Internet connection)

Cineplex Store– One-time fee per movie rental (requires Internet connection)

YouTube, Vevo, Vimeo – Watch music videos and viral clips on these ad-supported services for free (requires Internet connection)

OVER-THE-AIR TELEVISION

Local broadcasters such as CBC, CTV, Global and City broadcast their signals over the air, allowing anyone with an antenna within range to access the content for free.