What Happened to the CTV App? How to Watch CTV on Crave

CTV’s old entertainment app and its on-demand streaming service moved to Crave. In Canada, you can use a free Bell Media account to watch select CTV episodes, movies and older shows. For the live CTV feed or programming marked as paid, check your TV provider access or Crave subscription. The right option depends on whether you want one recent episode, the live channel or a larger library.

What happened to the CTV app?

Bell Media announced that the standalone CTV and Noovo websites and apps would wind down from May 1, 2026, with their on-demand libraries moving to Crave. Its CTV and Noovo migration notice explains why an old bookmark or app shortcut may no longer take you to the show you watched before.

CTV is still a television network. If you normally watch it through a cable or satellite box, you can continue using your provider’s guide where the channel is included. The change affects how you find the programming online. On a phone, browser or compatible TV, start with Crave and search for the programme itself. This is also useful when an old search result points to a CTV page that no longer plays video.

What CTV shows and movies can you watch for free?

A free Bell Media account opens a selection of ad-supported programming. Crave’s free-content help page lists CTV Movies, CTV Throwback and select recent episodes from CTV and Noovo. That can be enough if you missed one episode or want to browse older programmes. Check the exact title and episode because different items on the same show page can have different access requirements.

Crave says content without a cart icon is available for free streaming. Start by signing in, opening the episode and looking for that marker or a subscription prompt. A promotional clip may play even when the episode does not, so make sure you have selected the full episode. A free account is a continuing way to access eligible titles. It is separate from any trial that converts to a paid subscription. If you are comparing offers, see our Crave free trial guide for the distinction between trials and ongoing free content.

Which login should you use for CTV on Crave?

| Your situation | Where to start | What to check |

| You want a free episode | Free Bell Media account | Confirm the episode is offered free |

| You get CTV in a TV package | Sign in through TV Provider | Confirm your provider and channel access |

| You already subscribe to Crave | Sign in with your Crave account | Check the title or live feed in your plan |

Crave’s CTV sign-in guide says you can reuse a Bell Media account from the old CTV app or another supported Bell Media service. Try the email you used before creating a new profile. If you can sign in but cannot open a programme included in your TV package, check whether you used the TV-provider option. A free Bell Media sign-in and a provider sign-in can give the same household different access.

If several people share a TV, check the account currently signed in on that device. A phone may be using a subscribed account while the television is signed into a free one. Sign in with the account that actually holds the access before assuming the episode was removed.

Can you Watch CTV Live Without Cable?

Separate live viewing from catch-up. Select episodes can be free on demand even when the live CTV feed requires an eligible TV login or paid Crave access. If you want to watch at the moment a show airs, check the live feed first. If you’re happy to watch later, check whether the episode becomes available on demand and whether it carries a free label.

A local CTV station may also be available over the air with an antenna. Whether that works depends on your location and reception. Run a channel scan and test the local station before relying on it for a live event. If you are planning around a particular game, confirm the broadcast separately. For example, our Grey Cup viewing guide lists the outlets carrying that event. A network can carry one game without having the rights to every match in the league.

Is CTV News part of the same Change?

CTV entertainment and CTV News serve different purposes. If you’re looking for a recent episode of a drama or reality series, start in Crave’s CTV collection. If you want a local newscast, breaking news coverage or a news clip, check the News section in Crave or use the CTV News destination for your region. Some news streams and special coverage can have different access from the full live CTV channel.

Search by city or programme when you need a specific newscast. A national stream may be available while a local programme is listed separately. If you want to follow a live event rather than catch up on a clip, check whether the listing says live and which station or feed it refers to.

How to Watch CTV on a Smart TV

Open the app store on the TV or streaming device and install or update Crave if it is available for that model. Choose the sign-in option that matches your account. Some TV devices display an activation step to complete on a phone or computer. Follow the instructions shown on the TV and use the same account you intend to watch with.

Once signed in, search for the show. Select the season, then check the episode rather than assuming the whole series is free or paid. If you cannot install the app on an older television, check whether a supported streaming device you already own can run it. Samsung owners can follow our Crave setup guide for Samsung TVs.

Why is a CTV episode locked or missing?

Start by checking the season number and the date the episode aired. If it is listed but locked, check the access marker and your sign-in method. If you have an eligible TV package, reopen the app with the provider sign-in and try the episode again. If it’s missing entirely, check the show’s current listing and the broadcaster’s schedule before assuming that a subscription will make it appear.

Test a known free title on the same device. If that title plays but the CTV episode does not, the issue may be specific to that episode or account access. If neither plays, try the web player or another supported device. If you need help, record the show, episode, device and error message so support can check the specific problem.

What if you watch Crave through another service?

Start where your subscription is billed. If you watch Crave inside another provider’s app, its menus and available feeds may differ from the direct Crave website. Check the provider’s listing before assuming that a channel or free episode will appear in the same place. For eligible free CTV content, try the direct Crave site with a free Bell Media account. If you’re comparing changes to Canadian TV apps, our Global TV to STACKTV guide explains the separate rollout for Global viewers.

Conclusion

Use Crave to find CTV shows online. Start with your existing Bell Media account for free titles, choose the TV-provider option if you already get CTV in a package, and check live or paid access before subscribing. Looking up the exact episode or channel is the quickest way to find the right option.