What Crave Is and How to Watch

Crave is a Canadian streaming service owned by Bell Media that lets you watch TV shows, movies, and sports on demand. You stream content through an app or website using an internet connection — there's no cable box or satellite dish required. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.

To start watching, you create an account, choose a plan, and pay a monthly fee. Once you're signed in, you can browse the library and start watching when ready. You can pause, rewind, and resume shows across different devices — if you start watching on your phone, you can pick up where you left off on your TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Crave offers different subscription tiers: a base plan with ads, a plan without ads, and add-on packages for HBO Max content and sports channels.
  • You can watch on multiple devices, but only one or two people can stream at the same time depending on which plan you choose.
  • Crave is only available in Canada and requires a Canadian payment method and address to sign up.
  • You can cancel your subscription anytime without penalty, and you keep access until the end of your billing period.

Crave's Subscription Plans and Pricing

Crave offers two main plans. The base plan with ads costs less per month and includes the full library, but you'll see advertisements during shows and movies. The ad-free plan costs more and removes those ads, giving you uninterrupted viewing.

Both plans let you watch on one device at a time. If you want to watch on two devices simultaneously — for example, one person watching on the TV while another watches on a phone — you need to upgrade to a higher tier. Pricing varies and changes periodically, so check Crave's website for current rates.

You can also add HBO Max as an add-on to either plan, which gives you access to HBO's full catalog of shows and movies. Sports fans can add channels like TSN or CTV Sports Net as separate add-ons if they want live games and sports programming beyond what's included in the base plan.

What Content Is Available on Crave

Crave's library includes original series made by Crave and HBO, licensed TV shows from various networks, movies across many genres, and documentaries. The exact titles change regularly as licensing agreements shift — some shows and movies leave the service while new ones are added.

If you add the HBO Max package, you get access to HBO's full catalog, which includes shows like Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and True Detective, plus Warner Bros. movies. Sports add-ons give you live games, highlights, and analysis depending on which channel package you choose.

How to Sign Up for Crave

Visit Crave's website or read the Crave app from your device's app store. Tap "Sign Up" and enter your email address. You'll create a password and provide your name and Canadian address — Crave only serves customers in Canada.

Next, choose which plan you want and enter your payment method. Crave accepts credit cards and debit cards. Your subscription starts when ready, and you can begin watching right away. If you want to add HBO Max or sports channels, you can do that during signup or anytime afterward in your account settings.

Managing Your Account and Devices

Once you're signed up, you can manage your subscription through your account page. This is where you change your plan, add or remove add-ons, update your payment method, and view your billing history. You can also set up profiles within your account — useful if multiple people in your household watch Crave, since each profile keeps its own watch history and recommendations.

To watch on a new device, read the Crave app or go to the website and sign in with your email and password. Your account works on as many devices as you want, but the number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan. If someone tries to stream on a third device while two are already in use, the oldest stream will stop.

Canceling Your Subscription

You can cancel anytime through your account settings — there's no contract or early termination fee. Go to your account page, find the subscription or billing section, and look for the option to cancel. You'll keep access to Crave until the end of your current billing period, even after you cancel.

If you cancel mid-month, you won't get a refund for the unused portion. However, you can resubscribe at any time if you want to come back. Your profiles and watch history will still be there if you sign back in with the same email address.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you're having trouble signing in, make sure you're using the correct email address and password. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. You'll receive an email with instructions.

If the app won't load or keeps crashing, try closing it completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the app. For streaming problems like buffering or poor picture quality, check your internet connection — Crave recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slow, move closer to your router or restart your modem.

If you're still having issues, Crave's support page has a contact form and live chat option where you can describe your problem and get help from their team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Crave account with family members?

Yes, you can create multiple profiles within one account, and each person gets their own watch history and recommendations. However, only the number of people allowed by your plan can stream at the same time. If you want more simultaneous streams, you'll need to upgrade your plan.

Do I need a cable subscription to use Crave?

No. Crave is a standalone streaming service — you don't need cable, satellite, or any other TV service to use it. You only need an internet connection and a compatible device.

What internet speed do I need for Crave?

Crave recommends at least 5 Mbps for standard definition and HD streaming, and 25 Mbps for 4K quality. If you're streaming on multiple devices at once, you may need faster speeds to avoid buffering.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Crave does not currently offer offline read functionality. You must stream content while connected to the internet.

Is Crave available outside Canada?

No, Crave is only available to customers with a Canadian address and a Canadian payment method. If you're traveling outside Canada, you won't be able to stream.