Canada‘s streaming landscape continues to evolve, with Crave TV standing firm as a cornerstone of the digital entertainment ecosystem. As we move through 2025, Crave has transformed substantially, expanding its channel offerings, refining its subscription tiers, and enhancing platform compatibility across devices.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about Crave TV in 2025 – from its extensive channel lineup to pricing structures, supported devices, and how it stacks up against competitors in the Canadian market.
The Evolution of Crave in the Canadian Market
Crave has grown from its humble beginnings as a Bell Media add-on service to become Canada‘s premier streaming platform. This evolution represents a strategic response to the fragmentation of content across multiple streaming services in the North American market.
Market Position Analysis
According to recent data from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Crave now commands approximately 28% of the Canadian subscription streaming market, up from 23% in 2023. This growth positions it firmly in second place behind Netflix (35%) but ahead of Amazon Prime Video (19%) and Disney+ (12%).
| Streaming Service | Market Share (2025) | Market Share (2023) | Year-over-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 35% | 38% | -3% |
| Crave | 28% | 23% | +5% |
| Amazon Prime | 19% | 17% | +2% |
| Disney+ | 12% | 14% | -2% |
| Others | 6% | 8% | -2% |
What‘s particularly noteworthy is Crave‘s accelerated growth in the 25-39 demographic, where it has seen a 7.5% increase in subscribers year-over-year. Media analysts attribute this growth to three key factors:
- Exclusive rights to HBO and HBO Max content in Canada
- Increased investment in original Canadian programming
- Enhanced platform experience following the 2024 UI overhaul
Bell Media has invested over $300 million in platform infrastructure and content acquisition in the past 12 months alone, demonstrating their commitment to capturing a larger share of the streaming market.
Comprehensive Crave TV Plans and Pricing Structure (2025)
Crave has refined its subscription model for 2025, implementing a three-tier structure that caters to different viewing preferences and budgets. Let‘s examine each option in detail:
Basic Plan
- Monthly Price: $11.99 CAD
- Annual Price: $99.99 CAD (savings of $43.89)
- Content Access: Core Crave library (approximately 6,500 hours of content)
- Technical Limitations:
- Streaming resolution limited to 720p
- Audio quality capped at stereo (2.0)
- Maximum bitrate of 3 Mbps
- Device Restrictions:
- Mobile and web streaming only
- No TV app access
- No casting capabilities
- Viewing Experience:
- Ad-supported (approximately 4 minutes of ads per hour)
- Single device streaming
- No profile customization
- No offline downloads
Data Usage: Approximately 1.5GB per hour at standard quality
Standard Plan
- Monthly Price: $16.99 CAD
- Annual Price: $139.99 CAD (savings of $63.89)
- Content Access: Full Crave library including HBO programming (approximately 12,000 hours)
- Technical Specifications:
- Streaming resolution up to 1080p Full HD
- Audio quality up to 5.1 surround sound
- Maximum bitrate of 6 Mbps
- Device Capabilities:
- Multi-device streaming (all supported platforms)
- Smart TV app access
- Casting support
- Viewing Experience:
- Limited ads on select content (approximately 2 minutes per hour)
- Two simultaneous streams
- Up to 4 user profiles
- Download capability on mobile devices (up to 25 titles)
Data Usage: Approximately 3GB per hour at high quality
Premium Plan
- Monthly Price: $24.99 CAD
- Annual Price: $199.99 CAD (savings of $99.89)
- Content Access: Complete content library including all premium add-ons (approximately 18,000 hours)
- Technical Specifications:
- 4K Ultra HD where available (approximately 15% of catalog)
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
- Maximum bitrate of 15 Mbps
- Device Capabilities:
- All supported devices
- Priority access to new device support
- Enhanced playback controls
- Viewing Experience:
- Ad-free viewing
- Four simultaneous streams
- Up to 6 user profiles
- Unlimited downloads for offline viewing (7-day expiration)
- Early access to select premieres (24-48 hours)
Data Usage: Approximately 7GB per hour at 4K quality
Add-On Options
Crave offers several add-on packages that can be combined with any subscription tier:
| Add-On Package | Monthly Price | Content Added | Notable Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starz | $5.99 | ~2,000 hours | Exclusive to Standard/Basic plans (included in Premium) |
| French Language Package | $3.99 | ~3,500 hours | Super Écran content, French dubs and originals |
| Sports Package | $9.99 | Live + ~1,500 hours | TSN content, sports documentaries, live events |
| Documentary Plus | $4.99 | ~2,000 hours | Extended documentary library, exclusives |
| Kids & Family | $2.99 | ~3,000 hours | Age-appropriate content, parental controls |
Subscriber data indicates the Sports Package has been the most popular add-on since its introduction in late 2024, with approximately 36% of Standard and Premium subscribers opting for this additional content.
Complete Crave TV Channels Lineup (2025)
Crave‘s channel offerings have expanded significantly in 2025, now organized into distinct content hubs that simplify navigation. The platform currently offers 45 distinct channel streams, up from 32 in 2023.
Core Crave Channels
Crave‘s flagship channels form the backbone of the service, featuring a mix of licensed content and originals:
Crave 1 – Flagship channel showcasing premium new releases and blockbuster content
- Average 14 new titles added weekly
- Focus on theatrical releases under 12 months old
- 24/7 programming with primetime block from 8-11PM EST
Crave 2 – Secondary channel featuring popular series and fan favorites
- Dedicated "binge blocks" featuring full seasons during weekends
- Themed programming nights (Comedy Mondays, Thriller Thursdays)
- Approximately 35% Canadian content
Crave 3 – Documentary and factual programming showcase
- Partnership with CBC documentaries and international studios
- Science, nature, and historical focus
- Rotates approximately 200 titles monthly
Crave 4 – Canadian content spotlight
- 100% Canadian productions
- Mix of classic and contemporary Canadian series
- Features emerging Canadian filmmakers program
Crave 5 – International titles and global cinema
- Content from over 25 countries
- Multiple language options with subtitles
- Weekly foreign film feature
Crave Family – Kid-friendly programming and family content
- Age-appropriate content sorted by developmental stages
- Educational programming block daily from 3-5PM
- Interactive content features
Crave Retro – Classic TV series and nostalgic content
- Content primarily from 1970-2000
- Themed decades programming
- Restored classics in HD where available
HBO Channels
Crave‘s exclusive HBO partnership remains one of its strongest competitive advantages:
HBO Canada – Primary HBO programming channel
- Day-and-date releases with US HBO
- Premium original series
- HBO Films presentations
HBO 2 – Secondary HBO channel with additional series and films
- Extended HBO library content
- Repeat showings of HBO hits
- Classic HBO series
HBO Signature – Premium dramatic series and sophisticated films
- Focus on award-winning dramas
- Literary adaptations
- Director spotlights
HBO Comedy – Comedy specials, sitcoms and humorous films
- Stand-up comedy specials
- HBO comedy series library
- Comedy films
HBO Max Originals – Dedicated to content created for HBO Max
- Streaming-first HBO content
- HBO Max exclusive series
- Special event programming
Premium Partner Channels
Crave has expanded its premium partner offerings in 2025:
Showtime Channels
Showtime Canada – Main Showtime programming
- First-run Showtime original series
- Showtime documentary features
- Exclusive specials
Showtime 2 – Extended Showtime content
- Complete Showtime library
- Themed programming blocks
- Classic Showtime series
Starz Channels
Starz 1 – Primary Starz programming
- First-run Starz originals
- Premium film library
- Exclusive series
Starz 2 – Additional Starz content
- Extended Starz library
- Themed movie marathons
- Complementary programming
Starz Encore – Classic films and series
- Curated classic cinema
- Restored film library
- Director retrospectives
French Language Channels (Super Écran)
Canada‘s bilingual market is well-served by Crave‘s French-language options:
Super Écran 1 – French language premieres
- First-run French-language content
- Dubbed Hollywood blockbusters
- Original Québécois programming
Super Écran 2 – Additional French content
- Extended French-language library
- European cinema
- Classic French-Canadian series
Super Écran 3 – French series
- Original French-language series
- International series dubbed in French
- Episodic content
Super Écran 4 – French films
- French-language cinema
- Film festival selections
- Independent French productions
Specialty Channels
Crave‘s specialty channels cater to specific interests and genres:
Crave Docs – Documentary and non-fiction programming
- Investigative journalism
- Feature documentaries
- Docuseries
Crave Comedy – Stand-up specials and comedy series
- Canadian comedy showcase
- International stand-up
- Comedy series
Crave Drama – Dramatic series and films
- Award-winning dramas
- Limited series
- Character-driven stories
Crave Action – Action movies and thrilling content
- Blockbuster action films
- Adventure series
- Thriller programming
Crave Romance – Romantic comedies and dramas
- Romantic films
- Relationship-focused series
- Classic and contemporary love stories
New Channels for 2025
Crave has added several new specialty channels in 2025:
Crave Sports – Sports content hub
- Documentary sports content
- Classic games and matches
- Analyst programming
- Expanded with Sports add-on for live events
Crave International – Global programming
- Content from over 30 countries
- International award winners
- Multi-language support
Crave Indies – Independent productions
- Film festival selections
- Independent Canadian cinema
- Emerging filmmakers
Crave Reality – Reality programming
- Competition shows
- Docuseries
- Lifestyle programming
Crave Crime – True crime and mystery
- True crime documentaries
- Mystery series
- Crime dramas
Crave Science Fiction – Sci-fi and fantasy content
- Genre programming
- Cult classics
- Original science fiction
Channel Viewing Statistics
According to Crave‘s published viewership data for Q1 2025:
| Channel | Percentage of Total Viewing Hours | YoY Change | Peak Viewing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO Canada | 22.3% | +3.2% | 9PM-11PM |
| Crave 1 | 18.7% | -1.5% | 8PM-10PM |
| Crave Comedy | 11.2% | +4.1% | 7PM-9PM |
| Super Écran 1 | 9.6% | +2.7% | 9PM-11PM |
| Starz 1 | 8.3% | +0.5% | 8PM-10PM |
| Crave Docs | 7.5% | +3.2% | 6PM-8PM |
| HBO Max Originals | 6.8% | NEW | 9PM-11PM |
| Other Channels | 15.6% | -12.2% | Varies |
The data reveals strong performance from premium content partners and a significant shift toward documentary and comedy programming in the past year.
Content Library Analysis
Crave‘s content strategy has evolved to balance exclusive premium partnerships, original productions, and library content:
Content Hours by Source (2025)
| Content Source | Hours Available | Percentage of Library | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO/HBO Max | 4,200 | 23.3% | +15% |
| Showtime | 2,100 | 11.7% | +8% |
| Starz | 2,800 | 15.6% | +23% |
| Canadian Originals | 2,500 | 13.9% | +35% |
| Warner Bros | 1,800 | 10.0% | +5% |
| Other Studios | 3,200 | 17.8% | -3% |
| Sports | 1,400 | 7.8% | NEW |
Content by Format
- Movies: 65% (approximately 11,700 titles)
- TV Series: 30% (approximately 850 series)
- Documentaries: 11% (approximately 1,900 titles)
- Specials: 4% (approximately 720 titles)
Canadian Content Focus
Crave has significantly increased its Canadian content offerings, now featuring:
- 125+ Canadian original series
- 300+ Canadian films
- 50+ Canadian documentaries
- 30+ Canadian comedy specials
This focus on Canadian content reflects both regulatory requirements and audience demand, with Canadian productions accounting for approximately 27% of total viewing hours in 2025.
Supported Devices and Technical Specifications
Crave‘s technological infrastructure has expanded to support a wide range of devices and viewing experiences:
Mobile Devices
iOS Devices
- Compatible with iOS 14.0 and newer
- Optimized for iPhone 12 and newer
- iPad-specific interface
- Picture-in-picture support
- Background audio playback for select content
- Download capabilities
Android Devices
- Android 7.0 and newer
- Optimized for Android 10+
- Adaptive interface for tablet/phone
- Split-screen support
- Download manager with queue functionality
- SD card storage support
Windows Phone
- Basic functionality
- Windows 10 Mobile only
