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Basic Crave is the lowest-priced, ad-supported way to access Crave’s main catalogue in Canada. Bell currently lists the entry offer at $11.99 CAD per month plus tax. It includes Crave originals, HBO and HBO Max programming, movies, Canadian and French-language content, and listed live channels, but it has advertising, no offline downloads, and some licensing exclusions. Check the checkout page carefully: Bell’s current listings use both Basic with Ads and Standard With Ads, with different stream and resolution specifications.
What “basic Crave” means right now
The phrase is not a single, consistently specified product. Bell’s Mobility add-on page calls the entry tier Crave Basic with Ads, while newer Bell plan and bundle pages call the comparable $11.99 tier Crave Standard With Ads. Those pages do not agree on every technical entitlement.
| Bell listing | Monthly price | Simultaneous streams | Maximum listed quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crave Basic with Ads | $11.99 CAD plus tax | 1 | Up to 720p |
| Crave Standard With Ads | $11.99 CAD plus tax | 2 | Up to 1080p |
| Standard With Ads bundle listing | $11.99 CAD plus tax | 2 | Up to 1080p |
Therefore, do not assume that every subscription labelled “Basic” has two streams or 1080p. Before paying, confirm the exact plan name, stream count and resolution shown for your billing channel.
What the ad-supported plan includes
Crave, HBO and Max programming
Bell describes the entry tier as providing the same core Crave catalogue as Premium: Crave original series, HBO programming, HBO Max content, Hollywood films and blockbusters, Canadian programming and French-language programming. “Same core catalogue” does not mean identical title availability. Bell warns that a limited number of titles are unavailable on ad-supported plans because of licensing restrictions.
Advertising
Commercials are part of ordinary on-demand viewing. Promotional spots for Crave can also appear. Live events, sports, news and bonus content may contain advertising as well, so the amount and placement are not a single guaranteed number of minutes per hour.
Live channels
Bell’s comparison lists live channels for both Standard With Ads and Premium. This is not a replacement for every Canadian cable channel: the actual lineup, eligibility and device access can vary by region, plan and distribution partner. Review the channel list attached to your offer.
Streams, picture quality and downloads
How many people can watch?
The Mobility Basic with Ads listing specifies one stream at a time. Bell’s newer Standard With Ads listings specify two simultaneous streams. The entitlement is consequently tied to the offer and billing route, not just the word “basic.”
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The Basic listing says up to 720p; Standard With Ads listings say up to 1080p. Neither is a promise that every title will play at that resolution. The programme, device, internet connection, subscription route and Crave’s technical availability can reduce the delivered quality. The ad-supported tier does not include 4K; Bell lists up to 4K for Premium.
Offline viewing
Downloads are not included with the ad-supported tier. That makes it a poor fit for flights, commuting without dependable data or travel in areas with weak connectivity. Bell says Premium can download on up to five registered devices, with up to 20 pieces of content at a time.
Device compatibility you should check
Ad-supported compatibility is narrower than Premium compatibility in some cases. Bell specifically says the ad-supported plans do not support:
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- AirPlay;
- Roku;
- certain Bell Fibe TV HD and 4K receivers.
Supported phones, tablets, browsers and television platforms can also depend on where you subscribe. The Crave app’s Canadian App Store listing confirms the service is available in Canada. If Roku or casting from an Apple device is essential, verify support for the exact offer before subscribing.
Basic versus Premium
| Feature | Basic / Standard With Ads | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Core Crave, HBO, Max and movie catalogue | Yes, with possible ad-tier licensing exclusions | Yes |
| Price listed by Bell | $11.99/month plus tax | $22/month |
| Advertising | On-demand ads and possible ads in live or bonus content | Principal Premium programming is advertised as ad-free; live events, sports, news, bonus content and promotions may still contain ads |
| Simultaneous streams | 1 on the Basic listing; 2 on Standard With Ads listings | 4 |
| Maximum listed quality | 720p or 1080p, depending on listing | Up to 4K |
| Offline downloads | No | Yes, up to five registered devices and up to 20 pieces of content |
| Live channels | Listed as included; lineup varies | Listed as included; lineup varies |
Premium’s additional cost primarily buys four streams, higher maximum quality, downloads and fewer ads in the principal catalogue. It is not a guarantee of ad-free live or bonus programming.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should choose the entry tier?
Basic is a good fit when
- You watch mainly by yourself and want the lowest monthly Crave price.
- Ads are acceptable.
- You watch at home and do not need downloads.
- Your television and internet setup are comfortable at the listed 720p or 1080p ceiling.
- Your intended device is supported by the ad tier.
Premium is the better fit when
- Several household members watch at once.
- You own a compatible 4K television and care about higher-quality playback.
- You travel or regularly watch offline.
- Ad interruptions or ad-tier title exclusions are unacceptable.
How the purchase channel changes the decision
Direct Crave
Direct Crave signup is the simplest route if you want Crave alone. Check the checkout page for the current plan label, stream limit, resolution, annual option and promotion; Bell’s public pages show that these details can differ.
Bell billing or add-ons
Bell customers may prefer one bill or a bundle through Bell’s Crave plans. The displayed price is $11.99 for Standard With Ads and $22 for Premium, but the offer-specific terms determine the actual stream and quality limits.
Disney+ and Crave bundle
Disney+ Canada lists a Disney+ and Crave With Ads bundle at $15.75 per month. It can be attractive if you already want both services, but it is poor value for someone seeking Crave alone and does not remove the Crave ad-tier restrictions.
Bell multi-service bundles
Bell’s streaming bundles combine Crave with services such as Netflix and Disney+. Eligibility, province, Bell-customer status and promotional terms may apply, so compare the complete telecommunications bill rather than choosing a provider solely for Crave.
Quick Recap
Checklist before you subscribe
- Read the exact plan name: Basic with Ads or Standard With Ads.
- Confirm whether the offer provides one or two simultaneous streams.
- Confirm the maximum resolution and remember it is a ceiling, not a title-by-title guarantee.
- Verify that downloads are unavailable on the entry tier if offline viewing matters to you.
- Check Roku, AirPlay and your specific Fibe receiver before paying.
- Look for the ad-tier title-exclusion notice.
- Confirm that the displayed price is Canadian dollars, whether tax is extra and whether the rate is promotional.
- Note which company will bill you and keep the offer terms for that channel.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
