Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about Crave, Canada’s premium streaming service from Bell Media — home to HBO, Starz, Showtime, Crave Originals, and thousands of hit movies and series.
What is Crave?
Crave is a Canadian subscription-based streaming service owned and operated by Bell Media. It brings together award-winning programming from HBO, HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz, as well as exclusive Crave Originals and a wide range of blockbuster films, documentaries, and Canadian shows.
You can stream Crave on-demand or tune into live channels such as HBO and Starz, depending on your plan. Crave also offers both English and French-language libraries.
Where is Crave available?
Crave is available only in Canada. You can watch it anywhere in the country through the Crave website (crave.ca) or the Crave app.
How do I sign up for Crave?
To start streaming, follow these steps:
- Visit crave.ca or download the Crave app on your device.
- Select a plan and click Subscribe Now.
- Create a Crave account by entering your email and password.
- Complete payment using a valid credit card or PayPal.
- Start streaming instantly.
You can also subscribe to Crave through participating TV or internet providers like Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Telus, and SaskTel.
Does Crave offer a free trial?
Crave no longer offers a free trial. Free trials were discontinued in recent years.
What plans does Crave currently offer?
Crave offers two main subscription plans when subscribing directly at crave.ca:
Crave Standard with Ads (formerly Crave Basic)
- Streams in up to 1080p HD
- 2 concurrent streams
- Access to HBO series, latest blockbusters, Crave Originals, and more
- Ad-supported experience
- No offline downloads
Ad-supported plans are not compatible with some Bell TV set-top boxes, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Apple AirPlay
Crave Premium (Ad-Free)
- Streams in up to 4K Ultra HD (on supported titles and devices)
- 4 concurrent streams
- Ad-free viewing
- Offline downloads available
- Access to live channels such as HBO and Starz
What content is available on Crave?
Crave offers an extensive catalogue of premium television and film content:
HBO & HBO Max – House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, Euphoria, Succession, True Detective, Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Showtime – Billions, Yellowjackets, Your Honor, The Chi, Dexter: New Blood.
Starz (add-on) – Outlander, BMF, Power Book II: Ghost, The Serpent Queen, P-Valley.
Crave Originals – Letterkenny, Shoresy, Little Bird, Canada’s Drag Race, Pour toi Flora.
Movies – Latest Hollywood blockbusters and Canadian films updated every month.
Documentaries – True crime, sports, music, and social issue documentaries.
Can I watch live channels on Crave?
Yes. Crave Premium subscribers can stream live linear channels including HBO, Starz, and Crave 1–4, directly through the app or website.
Can I download shows and movies for offline viewing?
Yes. Downloads are available only with the Crave Premium (Ad-Free) plan. You can download most on-demand titles to watch offline on iOS and Android devices through the Crave app.
Each account can register up to five devices for downloading, and downloads remain available for a limited time.
What video quality does Crave support?
Crave supports the following streaming resolutions:
- Basic with Ads: up to 1080p HD
- Premium (Ad-Free): up to 4K Ultra HD and HDR (select titles)
A stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps is recommended for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K.
Which devices are compatible with Crave?
Crave supports a wide range of modern devices, including:
Smart TVs: Samsung (2017+), LG webOS, Sony Android TV, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio SmartCast.
Streaming devices: Apple TV (4th Gen+), Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Telus Stream+, Bell Streamer, and Chromecast with Google TV.
Gaming consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S.
Computers: Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox browsers on Windows and macOS.
Mobile & Tablets: iOS (13+) and Android (8+) via the Crave app.
How many devices can stream at once?
- Basic with Ads: up to 2 simultaneous streams
- Premium (Ad-Free): up to 4 simultaneous streams
You can sign in on multiple devices, but concurrent playback is limited to the streams allowed by your plan.
Are subtitles and closed captions available?
Yes. Most Crave content includes English closed captions and subtitles. Many HBO and Showtime titles also include French audio or subtitles through the Crave en Français section.
Does Crave have parental controls?
Yes. Crave allows users to set up Parental Controls and restrict content based on Canadian classification ratings (G, PG, 14+, 18+). You can enable a PIN in your account settings to prevent children from accessing mature content.
Can I change or cancel my Crave subscription?
Yes.
- If you subscribed directly via crave.ca: Log in, go to My Account → Manage Subscription, and choose Cancel.
- If you subscribed through your TV provider or app store: You must cancel through that provider’s billing system.
After cancellation, you can continue streaming until the end of your current billing period.
How do I fix buffering or playback issues?
If Crave freezes or buffers:
- Confirm your internet speed meets the minimum requirement (3 Mbps+).
- Restart your router or device.
- Update your Crave app.
- Clear cache or cookies.
- Sign out and sign back in.
Does Crave support casting or AirPlay?
Yes. You can use Chromecast or Apple AirPlay to cast content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Can I watch Crave in French?
Yes. Crave offers a dedicated French-language section called Crave en Français, which includes dubbed versions of HBO, Showtime, and Crave Original series, along with exclusive Quebecois programming.
How do I update my account information?
To change your password, billing details, or profile settings:
- Sign in at crave.ca.
- Go to My Account → Settings.
- Edit your information and save changes.
If your subscription is through a TV provider, contact them directly for billing updates.
Does Crave support HDR, Dolby Vision, or Dolby Atmos?
Yes. Selected movies and series on Crave Premium support HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio when played on compatible devices and connections.
How do I contact Crave customer support?
For assistance with streaming, billing, or device setup, visit the Crave Help Centre . You’ll find FAQs, live chat, and email support. If you subscribed through a cable or internet provider, contact their support directly.
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