Most of Canada changes its clocks twice a year. In 2026, clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, March 8, and back one hour on Sunday, November 1, both at 2:00 a.m. local time. Phones handle this automatically. TVs, streaming boxes and the guides inside player apps do not always keep up quite so neatly.
If your TV guide suddenly shows everything an hour early or late, the time change is the first thing to suspect. This guide explains what happens to the guide during the switch, which parts of Canada do not change clocks, and how to fix listings that fall out of step.
Why the Guide Can Get Confused
A TV guide relies on your device’s clock and time zone to display local times. When clocks change, the device needs to apply the new offset. If automatic time is turned off, if the device has not restarted since the change, or if the player saved guide data before the switch, the listings can sit an hour away from reality.
Where Clocks Do Not Change
Not every part of Canada observes daylight saving time. This catches out devices and viewers alike:
- Most of Saskatchewan stays on Central Standard Time all year.
- Yukon stays on a fixed offset all year, matching Mountain time in summer.
- Some communities in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut also keep the same time all year.
If you live in one of these places, choose a time zone setting that matches your local clocks rather than the general zone for your province. Selecting a specific city, such as Regina, often gives the right behaviour automatically. Rules can change over time, so if listings seem wrong after a policy change, check your device’s time setting again.
Before the Change: A Quick Checklist
- Open the device’s date and time settings and confirm automatic time is turned on.
- Check that the time zone matches your location. A nearby city is usually the safest choice.
- Install any pending software update, since clock fixes are sometimes included.
- In the player, check that any guide time offset is set to zero unless you need it for a known reason.
After the Change: What to Do
- Restart your TV or streaming device on the Sunday or Monday after the change.
- Open the player and refresh the guide, or close the app fully and reopen it.
- Compare a current listing with what is actually playing.
- If the guide is still an hour off, check the device clock first, then the player’s guide offset.
Reminders and Recordings
If your player or device supports reminders or recordings, check any that fall in the week after the change. A reminder set before the switch may fire an hour early or late on some devices. Recreating important reminders after the change is the safest approach for a big live event.
Households Spread Across Provinces
Families often share viewing tips across the country: a parent in Halifax, a sibling in Saskatoon, a friend in Kelowna. When you agree to watch the same live event, remember that the gap between you can change by an hour after the switch, because Saskatchewan and Yukon stay put while most other places move. Confirm start times in each person’s local time the week of the change, and you will avoid one person tuning in an hour late.
Live Events Near the Change
Sports and special events scheduled for the weekend of a time change can be confusing, especially when the event is in another country with different change dates. The United States and Canada usually change on the same dates, while Europe uses different ones. Our guide to catching live events across Canada’s time zones helps with the conversions.
Troubleshooting Time Change Problems
The Device Clock Is Right but the Guide Is Wrong
The player may still be showing saved guide data. Refresh the guide or restart the app. Our IBO Player Pro favourites, groups and EPG guide covers guide refresh in that player.
Everything Is Off by an Hour in Saskatchewan
The device may be set to a zone that changes its clocks. Choose a Saskatchewan city such as Regina, or a zone that stays on Central Standard Time.
The Guide Was Off by an Hour Even Before the Change
That points to a time zone or offset problem rather than daylight saving. See our main time zone guide for Canada.
One TV Changed but Another Did Not
Each device keeps its own clock. Check the date and time settings on the TV that is wrong, turn on automatic time if it is off, and restart it. Older TVs sometimes need a software update to apply time rules correctly.
Listings Are 30 Minutes Off
A half-hour gap is a Newfoundland time issue. See our guide to Newfoundland and Atlantic time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do clocks change in Canada in 2026?
In places that observe daylight saving time, clocks go forward on Sunday, March 8 and back on Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 a.m. local time.
Do I need to change anything in my player app?
Usually not. Make sure the device uses automatic time and the correct zone, then refresh the guide after the change.
Why is only my TV wrong when my phone is right?
Your phone updates its time automatically. The TV may have automatic time off, the wrong zone, or need a restart.
Does the time change affect my channels?
No. Only the displayed listing times are affected. Your channels come from your subscription as usual.
Stay in Sync All Year
A minute of checking before each clock change saves a lot of confusion afterwards. If your guide still will not line up, contact our support team with your device model and location.
