Cutting the cord

IPTV vs satellite TV in Canada: cost, weather and rural reach compared

For decades, satellite was the only way to get real TV in much of rural Canada. Starlink and fixed wireless have changed that. Here is an honest comparison.

· 4 min read · Wave IPTV

IPTV vs satellite TV in Canada: cost, weather and rural reach compared (Wave IPTV Canada guide)

The short answer

  • IPTV is usually far cheaper, has no dish and moves with you, but needs steady internet.
  • Satellite works without internet and covers almost anywhere with a clear view south, but costs more and suffers in heavy snow.
  • Starlink has made IPTV realistic in much of rural Canada.
  • Keep satellite if your internet is poor or tightly capped.

How IPTV and satellite are different

Satellite TV beams channels from a satellite to a dish on your house, then to a receiver. It needs no internet at all. IPTV delivers the same kind of channels over your internet connection to an app on your TV. One depends on the sky; the other on your broadband.

IPTV vs satellite at a glance

IPTVSatellite TV
Typical monthly costFrom $6.67 on a yearly planOften $70 to $120
EquipmentYour TV, stick or boxDish plus receiver per TV
InstallationAbout 5 minutes, self-installedTechnician, dish alignment
Needs internetYesNo
WeatherUnaffected, unless your internet isRain fade and snow on the dish
ContractNoneOften 2 years
On demand and catch-upIncludedLimited, often needs internet anyway
Moves with youYesRe-installation needed

How much satellite costs compared with IPTV

A mid-range satellite package with sports commonly lands between $70 and $120 a month after promotions, plus receiver fees, which is $840 to $1,440 a year. A Wave IPTV yearly plan is $80 for one screen or $130 for two. The catch: you need internet good enough to stream, which rural households may have to add or upgrade.

Does weather affect satellite more than IPTV?

Yes. Heavy rain, wet snow and ice on the dish cause "rain fade", the frozen picture and "no signal" message satellite owners know well, often during the storms when you most want TV. IPTV over cable or fibre is unaffected. Starlink can have brief interruptions in very heavy precipitation, but its heated dish clears snow on its own.

What each one needs at your home

Satellite: a dish with a clear view south

Trees, a neighbour's barn or a hill can block the signal. Snow load and wind can knock the dish out of alignment.

IPTV: a device and a connection

About 25 Mbps per HD stream, a smart TV or a stick, and nothing on the roof.

Which works better in rural and northern Canada?

Satellite TV has the broadest reach. But in many rural areas, fixed wireless, rural fibre and Starlink now deliver enough speed for IPTV. If you can stream YouTube in HD in the evening without stopping, you can almost certainly run IPTV.

Often, yes. Starlink brings fast internet to places cable never reached, which means one connection for TV, video calls and everything else, instead of satellite TV plus a slow internet plan. Watch the data allowance on your Starlink plan if you watch a lot. Our Starlink guide covers the details.

Channels, sports and picture quality

Both carry the major Canadian channels and sports networks. IPTV adds a much larger international selection, an on-demand library and catch-up. Satellite picture quality is solid; IPTV offers 4K where channels broadcast it.

Who should keep satellite TV?

  • Households with no internet, or internet too slow or unreliable to stream.
  • Homes on tight data caps that watch a lot of TV.
  • Anyone who wants TV that works during an internet outage.

Who is better off switching to IPTV?

  • Households with cable, fibre, good fixed wireless or Starlink.
  • Anyone tired of rain fade and contract renewals.
  • Families who want international channels or several TVs without paying per receiver.

Four Canadian households, four verdicts

  • A farm near Lloydminster on Starlink: switched to IPTV and cancelled satellite; saves over $900 a year.
  • A cottage in Haliburton on capped LTE: kept satellite for now.
  • A family in Prince George on cable internet: IPTV, no question.
  • A couple in rural PEI on fixed wireless: IPTV on one screen, antenna as backup.

Switching from satellite without missing a game

  1. Check your satellite contract end date and any early termination fee.
  2. Run the free trial during a busy evening while satellite is still active.
  3. If it works, order a plan and set up every TV.
  4. Cancel satellite once you are happy, and return any rented equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Is IPTV better than satellite TV in Canada?

For households with steady internet, IPTV is usually cheaper and more flexible. Satellite still makes sense where internet is poor or heavily capped.

Does IPTV work in bad weather?

IPTV itself is not affected by weather. Your internet might be: Starlink can drop briefly in very heavy snow or rain, and so can satellite TV.

Can I use my satellite dish for IPTV?

No. A satellite TV dish receives broadcast signals; IPTV uses your internet connection. You can leave the dish in place or remove it.

Is IPTV cheaper than satellite TV?

Usually much cheaper. Satellite packages commonly cost $70 to $120 a month; a Wave IPTV yearly plan is $80 for the year.

What happens to IPTV if the internet goes down?

TV stops until it comes back. If your area has frequent outages, keep an antenna as a backup for local channels.

Can I get IPTV in a remote or northern community?

Yes, wherever there is a stable internet connection, including Starlink.

Try it on your own TV first

The free 24-hour trial is the full service, with 50,000+ channels. Test it on a busy evening, then choose a plan from $20 CAD, or $6.67 a month on the yearly plan.

See pricing plans

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