You're Paying More Than Cable Now and Getting Ads again

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift · Mar 25, 2026 · 10m

Streaming service costs have quietly crossed a line most people did not notice. What started at seven dollars a month is now twenty-five, and that is just one of several services on the bill. Carmi Levy has the math, and it does not work in your favour.

What does it feel like to realize the thing meant to save you money became the thing you need saving from? Canadians are now spending more on streaming than they ever spent on cable. The ads came back too. Somewhere between leaving cable and landing here, the deal changed and nobody asked.

Telecoms had to ask permission. Streamers ask…