What Crave Is and Who Runs It

Crave is a streaming video service owned and operated by Bell Media, a Canadian company. It streams movies, TV shows, and original series — mostly from HBO, Warner Bros., and other studios under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella. Crave is available only in Canada and requires an internet connection and a compatible device to watch.

Bell Media also owns conventional television channels and internet service in Canada. Crave operates as a standalone streaming service, but if you are already a Bell internet or TV customer, you may see bundle pricing options when you sign up.

Key Takeaways

  • Crave offers two paid tiers: a basic plan with ads and a premium plan without ads, each with different streaming limits and video quality.
  • The service costs between $9.99 and $19.99 per month in Canadian dollars, depending on which tier you choose.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but the number of screens you can use at once depends on your plan.
  • Crave does not offer a free trial period, so you pay from your first month of service.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings; there is no contract or early termination fee.

Crave Subscription Tiers and Monthly Cost

Crave offers two subscription options. The basic tier costs $9.99 per month and includes ads during playback. The premium tier costs $19.99 per month and removes ads. Both are billed monthly in Canadian dollars.

The basic tier limits you to one screen at a time and streams video in standard definition (SD). The premium tier allows two screens to play at the same time and streams in high definition (HD) and 4K on compatible devices. If you want to watch on more than two screens simultaneously, you cannot do so on either tier — Crave does not offer a plan for that.

Bell sometimes offers promotional pricing for new subscribers, such as a reduced rate for the first few months. These offers change and are not always available. Check the Crave website directly when you sign up to see what current promotions apply to you.

What You Get With Each Plan

Both tiers give you access to the same library of content: HBO series like The Last of Us and Succession, Warner Bros. films, and Crave original shows. The difference is in how you watch, not what you watch.

On the basic plan, you see ads before, during, and after shows and movies. On the premium plan, there are no ads. Premium also gives you the option to download episodes to watch offline on the Crave app — basic does not include downloads. If you travel or have unreliable internet, downloads can be useful; otherwise, both plans stream the same content.

Neither plan includes live television. Crave is on-demand only, meaning you choose what to watch and when. If you want live TV channels, you would need a separate cable or streaming TV service.

How to Sign Up and What You Need

To sign up for Crave, go to the Crave website or download the Crave app on your device. You will need an email address and a payment method — a credit card or debit card. Crave accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

During signup, you choose which tier you want and enter your payment information. Your subscription begins immediately, and you are billed on the same day each month. There is no free trial, so your first charge happens right away.

If you are a Bell internet or TV customer, you may be able to add Crave to your Bell account and have it billed together with your other services. Log into your Bell account online or call Bell to see if this option is available to you.

Devices You Can Use and Streaming Limits

Crave works on most common devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers running Windows or Mac, Amazon Fire tablets, Roku devices, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and some Samsung and LG smart TVs. The Crave app is free to download; you only pay for the subscription itself.

On the basic plan, you can stream on only one device at a time. If you start watching on your phone and then try to watch on your TV, the phone stream stops. On the premium plan, two devices can stream at the same time, so two people in your household can watch different shows simultaneously.

Video quality depends on your internet speed and your device. The basic plan maxes out at standard definition. The premium plan can stream in HD (1080p) or 4K (2160p) if your internet is fast enough and your device supports it. Most home internet connections can handle HD; 4K requires a faster connection, usually 25 Mbps or higher.

Canceling Your Subscription

You can cancel Crave at any time through your account settings on the Crave website or app. There is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no waiting period. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle — if you cancel on the 15th of the month and your bill date is the 20th, you can still watch until the 20th.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can sign up again. Your watchlist and viewing history may or may not be saved depending on how long you were away; Crave does not publish a specific retention period for this data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Crave password with family members?

Crave's terms of service state that your account is for your personal use only and should not be shared. However, Crave does not actively police password sharing the way some other services do. If you share your password, you are technically violating the terms, and Crave could disable your account if they detect it. The premium plan's two-screen limit is designed for household members to watch at the same time legally.

Does Crave have subtitles or closed captions?

Yes. Most shows and movies on Crave include English and French subtitles and closed captions. You can turn them on or off in the player settings. Some older or less common titles may not have captions available.

What happens if I don't use Crave for a few months?

Your subscription continues to charge you every month unless you cancel it. Crave does not pause subscriptions or offer a "freeze" option. If you know you will not watch for a while, cancel and sign up again later when you are ready.

Can I watch Crave outside of Canada?

No. Crave is only available in Canada. If you travel outside Canada, you will not be able to stream Crave content. Some VPN services claim to bypass this, but using a VPN to access Crave outside Canada violates the service's terms of service.

Is there a student discount or family plan?

Crave does not currently offer a student discount or a multi-user family plan with separate profiles. Bell sometimes bundles Crave with other services at a discount for existing customers, but this varies by region and changes over time. Contact Bell directly or check the Crave website to see what bundle options are available in your area.