Written by the StreamX Editorial Team — Updated October 2026
Canadian television is having a moment. Shows made here are winning international awards, getting picked up by US networks and building loyal audiences far beyond our borders. But finding them can be confusing: some air on CBC, some on CTV or Citytv, some stream on Crave or CBC Gem, and French-language hits live on TVA, Noovo or ICI Radio-Canada. This guide rounds up the best Canadian TV shows and series worth watching in 2026, tells you where each one airs, and explains how to watch them live or on demand without a cable package.
Quick answer: Must-watch Canadian series include Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland (CBC), Shoresy and Letterkenny (Crave), Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (Citytv), Sullivan’s Crossing (CTV), Saint-Pierre and Allegiance (CBC), and Quebec favourites like STAT and Survivor Québec. Shows on broadcast channels can be watched live with an IPTV service like StreamX; streaming originals are on Crave or CBC Gem.
Best Canadian Dramas
| Show | Where it airs | Why watch |
|---|---|---|
| Murdoch Mysteries | CBC | Victorian-era Toronto detective series with clever cases and a huge fan base — one of Canada’s longest-running dramas. |
| Heartland | CBC | Family drama set on an Alberta ranch; the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in Canadian TV history. |
| Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent | Citytv | The famous US franchise reimagined in Toronto, with recognizable local settings. |
| Sullivan’s Crossing | CTV | Small-town Nova Scotia drama about a neurosurgeon returning home. |
| Saint-Pierre | CBC | Crime drama set between Newfoundland and the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. |
| Allegiance | CBC | Legal and political drama following a young South Asian Canadian police officer. |
| Wild Cards | CBC | Light-hearted crime caper pairing a demoted cop with a con artist. |
| Little Bird | Crave | Award-winning limited series about an Indigenous woman searching for her birth family after the Sixties Scoop. |
| Transplant | CTV (library) | Medical drama about a Syrian refugee doctor rebuilding his career in Toronto. |
Best Canadian Comedies
| Show | Where to watch | Why watch |
|---|---|---|
| Shoresy | Crave | The Letterkenny spinoff about a senior hockey team in Sudbury — profane, sharp and very Canadian. |
| Letterkenny | Crave | Cult-favourite rural Ontario comedy; the full run is ideal for binge-watching. |
| Schitt’s Creek | CBC Gem and streaming | The Emmy-sweeping comedy that made the Rose family household names worldwide. |
| Kim’s Convenience | CBC Gem and streaming | Warm family comedy about a Korean Canadian store in Toronto. |
| Run the Burbs | CBC | Upbeat comedy about a South Asian family in the suburbs. |
| This Hour Has 22 Minutes | CBC | Long-running political satire — essential viewing during election season. |
Best Canadian Reality and Competition Shows
- Dragons’ Den (CBC): Canadian entrepreneurs pitch to investors — the original that inspired many versions abroad.
- The Great Canadian Baking Show (CBC): gentle, feel-good baking competition.
- Canada’s Drag Race (Crave): the Canadian edition of the global franchise.
- Canada’s Got Talent (Citytv): family-friendly talent competition.
- Family Feud Canada (CBC): the classic game show with Canadian families.
Best French-Language Series From Quebec
Quebec has one of the strongest TV industries in the world, and its series regularly top ratings in the province:
- STAT (ICI Radio-Canada Télé): hospital drama with a loyal daily audience.
- Indéfendable (TVA): legal drama following defence lawyers.
- Survivor Québec (Noovo): the francophone take on the reality classic.
- Les Pays d’en haut (ICI Radio-Canada, library): acclaimed historical drama set in the Laurentians.
For more on francophone channels, see our page on IPTV au Québec and our Montreal IPTV guide.
New & Returning Canadian Shows for the 2026–27 Season
The Canadian TV calendar keeps getting stronger. A few titles worth catching this season:
- Returning favourites: Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland continue their long runs, This Hour Has 22 Minutes keeps the satire going, and Son of a Critch airs its final season.
- New dramas: Junior, Blessed Sacrament and Cold Country join the slate.
- New comedies: The Ambassador, The Posse, Committed and the dramedy The Service.
- Also on the radar: North of North, Allegiance, Saint Pierre and Wild Cards.
Most of these air on CBC and stream on CBC Gem, with other Canadian originals spread across CTV, Global and Crave. The simplest way to follow them all live is a service that carries the main Canadian networks in one place — see our channel guide, or watch live with a reliable IPTV subscription in Canada.
Where to Watch Canadian TV Shows
| Network or service | How to watch live | How to watch on demand |
|---|---|---|
| CBC / ICI Radio-Canada | Antenna, cable or IPTV | CBC Gem (free with ads; premium option) |
| CTV | Cable or IPTV | CTV app and Crave |
| Citytv | Cable or IPTV | Citytv+ and Citytv app |
| Global | Cable or IPTV | STACKTV / Global TV app |
| TVA, Noovo, Télé-Québec | Cable or IPTV | TVA+, Noovo.ca, Télé-Québec online |
| Crave originals | Not live | Crave subscription |
The pattern is clear: broadcast networks air new episodes live on a schedule, while streaming apps carry on-demand episodes, often a day or more later. With an IPTV service, you get all the live networks in one TV guide — CBC, CTV, Global, Citytv, TVA, Noovo and more — so you can watch new episodes the night they air. Compare costs in our IPTV vs Netflix vs Crave guide.
Tips for Never Missing an Episode
- Use your IPTV app’s favourites to group CBC, CTV, Citytv and Global together.
- Set reminders or recordings where your player supports them. Our TiviMate guide covers recording with Premium.
- Check time zones: Eastern and Pacific feeds air at different times; many IPTV lineups include both, so West Coast viewers can catch East Coast broadcasts early.
- Combine services wisely: live TV via IPTV for weekly shows, plus one streaming service for originals.
Supporting Canadian Content
Canadian broadcasters and production companies are supported by funding programs and content rules overseen by organizations such as the CRTC and the Canada Media Fund. Watching Canadian shows on official channels and services helps keep them on the air.
Start Watching
Want every Canadian network in one place? StreamX includes CBC, CTV, Global, Citytv, TVA, Noovo and hundreds more channels from CAD 19 a month or CAD 79 a year. Try it free with our 24-hour trial or browse plans on the pricing page. Curious which channels are included? See our StreamX channel list guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Canadian TV shows right now?
Popular choices include Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland on CBC, Shoresy on Crave, Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent on Citytv, Sullivan’s Crossing on CTV, and Saint-Pierre and Allegiance on CBC.
Where can I watch Canadian TV shows without cable?
Watch live on broadcast networks with an antenna or an IPTV service, or on demand through CBC Gem, Crave, the CTV app, Citytv+ and similar streaming apps.
Is Schitt’s Creek a Canadian show?
Yes. Schitt’s Creek was produced in Canada and originally aired on CBC. It won a record number of Emmy Awards for a comedy in its final season.
What are the best French-Canadian TV series?
Quebec favourites include STAT on ICI Radio-Canada Télé, Indéfendable on TVA, Survivor Québec on Noovo and the historical drama Les Pays d’en haut.
Can I watch CBC, CTV and Global on IPTV?
Most Canadian IPTV services include the main broadcast networks such as CBC, CTV, Global and Citytv. Check the channel list during a free trial.
Where can I watch new Canadian shows in 2026?
New Canadian originals air across CBC (and CBC Gem), CTV, Global and Crave. To follow them live rather than hopping between streaming apps, an IPTV service carrying those networks keeps everything in one guide.
Can I watch Canadian shows live instead of streaming them later?
Yes. While each broadcaster has its own streaming app, an IPTV service carries CBC, CTV and Global live, so you can watch new episodes as they air without juggling multiple subscriptions.
