CBC Gem: Shows & Live TV

CBC Gem: Shows & Live TV for Android has a family-friendly secret that many streamers ignore: children’s content runs ad-free completely and you don’t have to pay a cent for that; while the adults watch on-demand shows that are interrupted by commercials in this same free tier.

Secret ad-free perks.

Families can enjoy commercial-free viewing in the kids area on the free tier, which is a win considering you have to pay monthly for Disney+ and Netflix upfront. Parents give kids tablets without thinking about toy ads or interruptions in storytime shows.

People who subscribe to Premium get ad-free on-demand episodes across the whole catalogue, for about $5.99 a month. Live streams have ads on both tiers. Subscribers of the Premium tier can stream the CBC News Network live 24 hours a day, and enjoy surround sound on select titles. Doubters can try out the upgrade for seven days before Google Play makes the first charge.

Even people who are using the free plan will have access to closed captioning and described video on most content.

The CBC’s streaming service is designated ad-supported. Most of CBC’s library stays available without a subscription. You are paid a visit in a commercial break. Your time isn’t hot property for broadcasters. But your time is worthless to the consumer. In exchange for worthless time, enjoy zero-dollar access. Popular series are available as are Canadian movies online.

Regional live channels you missed.

You can watch the news live on up to 14 regional CBC TV channels ranging from Vancouver to Halifax. This tool turns the app into a portable antenna for Canadians who have cut the cable but want to watch hometown broadcasts on election night or for breaking weather alerts.

The Regional CBC channels have the same feed timed for the province and with local programming. People who follow their sports will tune in to Hockey Night in Canada live, while news junkies watch Parliament or the municipal council as it happens. You won’t find any Canadian live TV free or otherwise of this quality in Hollywood back catalogue apps.

5 simple tips to reveal hidden charges

• Use a free CBC account to sign in and watch on your phone or tablet and smart TV instantly anywhere in Canada.
• Check out the Gem exclusives section for international series not offered by any other Canadian streamer.
• Turn on the closed caption option under settings to hear what the character says. Use this for noisy places or to learn French with the various Quebecois dramas that are dubbed.
• Switch between different feeds and see how various CBC stations cover the same national story.
• If you have Premium, you can download the on-demand Canadian series episodes offline before you hit the road. But note that offline functionality is limited as we’re already used to seeing on Netflix.

The CBC Android TV app provides the same experience on your bigger screen as on your mobile device. It also maintains your progress whether you are travelling or lounging at home.

Resume anywhere, pick up instantly.

Device syncing works flawlessly once logged in. Stop watching your documentary on your phone during lunch, and resume it on your tablet as you get home. No need to search for where you left off. The progress bar refreshes in seconds on each of the platforms just like premium ones.

Coverage of the events of the Summer and Winter Olympics, as well as FIFA World Cup and CFL games when licenses allow, are part of Canadian sports streaming. However, licensing restrictions mean that some international matches remain universal. Most content is restricted to Canada only so travelers and expats are often frustrated unless they route there via a VPN.

The freemium model balances public-service goals with commercial needs. Ads support the free tier’s access, while Premium revenue supports the original productions. If Canadian storytelling, local journalism and family-safe kids content are more valuable to you than being able to get Hollywood content in the future, then this is a good tradeoff.

Get CBC Gem today. Stream your local live CBC channels. Binge exclusive series. Enjoy kids’ content ad-free, with sync across different devices. Free to start.