Streaming in Canada: Next Door to the U.S., Miles Away from Its Content

The Closest Neighbor Paradox

You live an hour from the U.S. border. You speak the same language. You follow the same TV shows, watch the same sports, discuss the same movies.

But your Netflix looks different. Hulu doesn’t work. And HBO content goes through Bell Media first.

If you’re in Canada, you already know this frustration. Geographic proximity doesn’t translate to content parity. The CRTC’s Canadian content requirements (CanCon) and domestic broadcaster protections create a system where the world’s longest undefended border becomes a digital content wall.

This guide explains why Canadian streaming is uniquely restrictive despite cultural and linguistic similarities with the U.S., how CRTC regulations and Bell Media/Rogers monopolies affect content access, and how US Unlocked helps Canadian viewers bypass the payment barriers blocking U.S. streaming services.

What Are Streaming Geo-Restrictions?

Streaming geo-restrictions are location-based content blocks that limit what you can watch based on your country.

When you access streaming platforms, they check your IP address and physical location. If content isn’t licensed for your region, access gets blocked automatically.

These aren’t technical errors. They’re licensing agreements combined with regulatory protections. Content owners sell streaming rights country by country, and in Canada, CRTC regulations give domestic broadcasters (Bell Media, Rogers, Corus) first rights to much U.S. content.

Your location determines your catalog. Even when you’re an hour from the U.S. border.

Benefits of Accessing U.S. Streaming Libraries from Canada

Getting access to American streaming catalogs solves several specific problems Canadian viewers face:

Access to U.S.-Only Platforms

Hulu, HBO Max (now “Max”), and Peacock TV don’t operate in Canada. These platforms host thousands of exclusive shows, next-day network TV episodes, and original series unavailable on any Canadian service.

Bypass Bell Media/Rogers Distribution Monopolies

HBO content in Canada goes through Bell Media’s Crave. Many U.S. shows get funneled through Rogers or Bell first, creating delays and fragmented availability. U.S. platforms provide direct access without middlemen.

Larger Content Libraries

Netflix US has approximately 5,800 titles. Netflix Canada has around 5,500. Disney+ US gets Marvel and Star Wars content first. Prime Video US has more American Originals and licensed U.S. content.

Same-Day U.S. Sports Streaming

NFL Sunday Ticket, full MLB.TV access, and comprehensive NBA League Pass features work better with U.S. accounts. Canadian sports streaming focuses on hockey, leaving other American sports with limited coverage.

Types of Streaming Restrictions in Canada

Canadian viewers face barriers designed to protect domestic broadcasters:

Complete Platform Unavailability

Hulu, Peacock TV, and HBO Max don’t operate in Canada. Account creation is impossible without U.S. payment methods and billing addresses, even with a VPN.

Bell Media/Rogers Content Gatekeeping

Bell Media controls Crave (HBO content in Canada). Rogers owns significant sports broadcasting rights. These companies have first-refusal rights on much U.S. content entering Canada, creating distribution monopolies and delayed access.

CRTC CanCon Requirements

The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) mandates streaming services invest 5% of Canadian revenue into Canadian content. While this supports Canadian production, it also influences which U.S. content gets prioritized for Canadian licensing.

Simultaneous Substitution Legacy

Canada’s “simsub” rules (forcing Canadian ads over U.S. broadcasts) created a system where Canadian broadcasters bought exclusive Canadian rights to U.S. shows. This legacy continues in streaming, fragmenting where content appears.

Payment Method Blocking

Even with a VPN making you appear to browse from America, U.S. streaming services reject Canadian credit and debit cards. They verify your card’s issuing country through BIN checks and decline non-U.S. payment methods.

This payment barrier is what most Canadians discover only after purchasing a VPN.

Streaming Services in Canada vs. the United States

Let’s compare what Canadian subscribers actually see versus American viewers.

Netflix Canada vs. Netflix U.S.

Netflix operates in both countries, but the catalogs differ.

The numbers: Netflix U.S. has approximately 5,800 titles. Netflix Canada has around 5,500 titles. That’s roughly 5% less content.

What’s different: U.S. network shows (NBC, ABC, Fox) often appear on Netflix US but not Netflix Canada because Canadian broadcasters (Bell, Rogers, Corus) bought exclusive Canadian rights. Popular American sitcoms and dramas face this fragmentation constantly.

What Canada gets: More Canadian content (Letterkenny, Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience) and some British shows arrive faster in Canada than the U.S.

Disney+ Canada vs. Disney+ U.S.

Disney+ operates in both countries with timing differences.

Content timing: New Marvel series and Star Wars shows premiere in the U.S. first. Canadian viewers typically wait 1-2 weeks for the same releases.

Star content: Disney+ Canada includes the “Star” section (adult-oriented content from FX, 20th Century, ABC, etc.). Disney+ US doesn’t have Star because that content goes to Hulu instead. However, Hulu’s catalog is far larger than Star’s.

Amazon Prime Video Canada vs. Prime Video U.S.

Prime Video operates in both countries with significant catalog differences.

Regional emphasis: Prime Video Canada focuses on Canadian and British content. Many American Prime Originals and U.S. licensed shows don’t appear or arrive months late.

Sports content: NFL Thursday Night Football on Prime Video US doesn’t stream in Canada. DAZN controls much Canadian NFL streaming, fragmenting coverage.

HBO Max / Max

Completely unavailable in Canada.

HBO content in Canada is controlled exclusively by Bell Media through Crave. Crave has HBO shows, but it’s not the same as HBO Max. HBO Max has thousands of titles beyond HBO series (Warner Bros. movies, Max Originals, DC content). Crave focuses primarily on HBO shows and select movies.

Hulu

Doesn’t operate outside the United States. At all.

Hulu is the most frustrating gap for Canadians. It’s an American service created by U.S. broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, Fox). It offers:

• Next-day episodes of current network TV
• Thousands of exclusive Hulu Originals
• Complete back catalogs of U.S. sitcoms and dramas

Canadian proximity doesn’t matter. Hulu simply doesn’t work here, despite Canada being an English-speaking market right next door.

Peacock TV

NBC’s streaming platform is U.S.-only.

Peacock offers NBC shows, Universal Pictures movies, live sports (Premier League, WWE), and exclusive originals. Canadian viewers have no official access despite Peacock being owned by NBCUniversal, which has Canadian operations through other channels.

Paramount+

Available in Canada (launched March 2021), but the catalog differs from the U.S. version.

Paramount+ Canada focuses on Canadian sports (NHL via SportsNet) and has less CBS/MTV/Paramount Pictures content than the U.S. version.

Crave (Canadian Service – Bell Media)

Crave is Canada’s closest equivalent to HBO Max, but it’s not the same.

Crave provides:

• HBO shows (through Bell Media’s exclusive deal)
• Showtime content
• Select movies
• Some Canadian content

What it doesn’t provide:

• The full HBO Max catalog (thousands of Warner Bros. titles missing)
• Max Originals that aren’t HBO-branded
• Direct access without Bell Media’s gatekeeping

Crave is expensive (C$19.99/month for HBO content) and doesn’t replicate the complete HBO Max experience.

Now that you understand what’s missing from Canada’s streaming landscape, here’s why these gaps exist despite Canada’s proximity to the U.S.

Why Being Next Door Doesn’t Mean Same Content

Canada and the U.S. share the world’s longest border, but streaming rights don’t cross it freely.

CRTC Protects Canadian Broadcasters

The CRTC’s mandate is to ensure Canadian content thrives. To achieve this, they:

• Require streaming services to contribute to Canadian content production (5% of Canadian revenue)
• Protect domestic broadcasters’ exclusive Canadian rights to U.S. content
• Enforce CanCon requirements that influence licensing priorities

These regulations prioritize Canadian broadcaster survival over consumer convenience.

Bell Media and Rogers Control Distribution

Bell Media (Crave, CTV) and Rogers (Sportsnet, Citytv) dominate Canadian broadcasting. They’ve bought exclusive Canadian rights to massive amounts of U.S. content:

• Bell Media controls HBO in Canada (through Crave)
• Rogers controls NHL streaming
• Both companies negotiate first-refusal rights on U.S. network shows

This monopolistic control creates distribution bottlenecks. Content must go through these gatekeepers before reaching Canadian viewers.

Simultaneous Substitution Created Fragmentation

For decades, Canada allowed “simultaneous substitution” (simsub): when U.S. and Canadian networks aired the same show simultaneously, Canadian cable providers replaced U.S. ads with Canadian ones. This gave Canadian broadcasters incentive to buy exclusive Canadian rights to U.S. shows.

Even though simsub rules have changed, the licensing legacy persists. Canadian broadcasters still hold exclusive rights to content that streams freely in the U.S.

Canada Is a Separate Market (Legally)

Despite cultural similarities, Canada is legally a foreign market. U.S. streaming services can’t automatically operate here. They need:

• CRTC approval
• Separate licensing agreements
• Compliance with CanCon investment requirements

Hulu and HBO Max haven’t pursued Canadian operations because Bell Media and Rogers already control those content categories.

Two Neighbors, Same Language, Different Catalogs

You and your friend in Buffalo or Seattle both speak English, watch the same sports, follow the same TV shows. But your streaming accounts show different catalogs because regulatory systems treat you as separate markets.

Your proximity to the U.S. doesn’t matter. CRTC regulations and domestic broadcaster monopolies determine your access.

This is why Canadians constantly search for ways to access U.S. streaming services directly.

Understanding these barriers is frustrating, but there’s a practical solution addressing the payment method restriction preventing access to U.S. platforms.

How US Unlocked Solves the Payment Barrier for Canadian Viewers

US Unlocked removes the payment method restriction preventing Canadians from subscribing to American streaming platforms.

What US Unlocked Actually Provides

US Unlocked gives you virtual payment cards with U.S. billing addresses. These function exactly like U.S.-issued credit cards when subscribing to American streaming services.

You get:

• Virtual Visa or Mastercard with valid U.S. billing addresses
• Access to Netflix US, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock TV, Paramount+ US, and thousands of other U.S. services
• The ability to load card balance from Canada using local payment methods

The streaming platform sees a legitimate U.S. payment method. You get access to U.S. content libraries without Canadian gatekeepers.

Learn more about how US Unlocked works →

The Benefits Canadian Users Actually See

Subscribe to U.S.-Only Platforms

Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock TV all accept US Unlocked virtual cards. These services are completely unavailable in Canada otherwise, even with a VPN.

Bypass Bell Media/Rogers Monopolies

Access HBO content directly through HBO Max instead of paying Bell Media’s Crave prices. Get U.S. network content without waiting for Canadian broadcaster distribution deals.

Pay for U.S. Subscriptions Without a U.S. Bank Account

No need for an American credit card or bank account. US Unlocked’s virtual cards handle payment processing using funds you load from Canada.

Access Full U.S. Content Libraries

Once subscribed with a U.S. payment method, you get the complete U.S. catalog. No Canadian fragmentation. No content held back by domestic broadcaster agreements.

Better Sports Streaming Options

Subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket, full MLB.TV, NBA League Pass (U.S. features) without Canadian sports broadcaster limitations.

Reliable Renewals

Your subscriptions renew automatically. No declined payments. No account suspensions because your Canadian bank card got flagged.

What US Unlocked Doesn’t Do

US Unlocked doesn’t provide VPN services. You’ll need your own VPN to make streaming platforms think you’re browsing from the United States.

US Unlocked handles the payment barrier. Your VPN handles the geographic barrier.

Together, they create the complete solution: U.S. payment method accepted + U.S. location verified = full American streaming access without Canadian restrictions.

Learn about VPN options for Canada →

Setting Up US Unlocked from Canada

Getting started takes about 15 minutes.

Step 1: Create Your US Unlocked Account

Sign up at usunlocked.com. Provide your name, Canadian address, and date of birth for verification.

Step 2: Get Approved and Fund Your Account

Once approved, load funds using methods available from Canada:

• Credit / Debit Cards: Use your Canadian bank card (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) to fund your account ($1.00 + 5% fee)
• Crypto / Stablecoins: Load using USDC, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies (2% fee)
• Apple Pay / Google Pay: Digital wallet funding ($1.00 + 5% fee)
• Bank Transfer: International wire transfer if preferred ($2.00 + 2% fee)

All funds convert to USD in your account balance.

Step 3: Choose Your Membership Plan

US Unlocked offers two tiers:

• Monthly: $4.95/month (includes 10 virtual cards)
• Annual: $39.95/year (save 33%, includes 10 virtual cards)

Additional virtual cards cost $2 each if you need more than 10.

View complete pricing details →

Step 4: Create Virtual Cards for Each Service

Generate virtual payment cards from your US Unlocked dashboard. Each card comes with a unique U.S. billing address automatically assigned.

Card types available:

• US Unlocked Cards: Open-to-buy cards that work at most U.S. merchants
• Store Locked Cards: Lock to the first approved merchant (ideal for streaming subscriptions)
• One-Time Use Cards: Delete after single use (for trial signups or one-off purchases)

Step 5: Subscribe to U.S. Streaming Services

Use your US Unlocked virtual card details and U.S. billing address when signing up for Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix US, or any other American service.

Step 6: Connect Your VPN and Start Streaming

Activate your VPN (connect to a U.S. server) before accessing streaming platforms. Log into your accounts. Your U.S. content library is now accessible.

US Unlocked Pricing for Canadian Users

Here’s exactly what you’ll pay (converted to CAD for clarity):

Membership Fees

• Monthly plan: $4.95/month (approximately C$6.80)
• Annual plan: $39.95/year (approximately C$54.90, works out to C$4.58/month)

Card Fees

• First 10 virtual cards: Included in membership
• Additional cards: $2 each (approximately C$2.75)
• One-time use cards: $2 each

Loading Fees (When Adding Funds)

• Credit/Debit Cards: $1.00 + 5%
• Crypto/Stablecoins: 2%
• Apple Pay/Google Pay: $1.00 + 5%
• Bank Transfer: $2.00 + 2%

Transaction Fees

None. Once your card is loaded, there are no additional fees when you spend.

Real Cost Comparison

Current Canada Streaming Setup:

• Netflix Canada: C$20.99/month (Premium)
• Disney+ Canada: C$11.99/month
• Crave (HBO): C$19.99/month
• Total: C$52.97/month with fragmented content and Bell Media gatekeeping

Alternative with U.S. Access:

• Netflix US: $15.49/month (C$21.30)
• Hulu: $7.99/month (C$11)
• HBO Max: $9.99/month (C$13.75)
• US Unlocked: C$6.80/month
• VPN: C$6/month (annual plan pricing)
• Total: C$58.85/month for comprehensive U.S. streaming without Canadian restrictions

Slightly higher cost. Dramatically more content. No Bell Media/Rogers middlemen. Direct access to U.S. platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stop Accepting Canadian Gatekeepers

Living next door to the U.S. shouldn’t mean accepting Bell Media and Rogers as content middlemen.

You share the same language, follow the same shows, watch the same movies as Americans. But CRTC regulations and domestic broadcaster monopolies create a system where proximity doesn’t equal access.

US Unlocked removes the payment barrier blocking direct access to U.S. streaming platforms. No more Bell Media gatekeeping on HBO content. No more wondering why Hulu doesn’t work despite being an hour from the border. No more fragmented content distribution through Canadian broadcasters.

Ready to stop accepting the closest neighbor paradox?

Get started with US Unlocked → and stream like you’re actually next door to the content, not miles away from it.

Your geographic proximity deserves content parity.