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“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a popular reality TV show that features a group of drag queens competing to be “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
The show is hosted by the celebrated drag queen RuPaul Charles, a renowned trailblazer in the drag community. Through the show, RuPaul has helped elevate drag culture into the mainstream and continues to be a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
In this article, we will show you how to enjoy “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on streaming services, cable television, and video-on-demand platforms in Canada.
Table of Contents
What is RuPaul’s Drag Race About?
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a reality competition show where drag queens showcase their acting, singing, and fashion design skills. The judges eliminate contestants each week, and the final contestants compete in the grand finale to determine the season’s winner.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” first premiered in 2009 and has aired subsequent seasons since then. The show is currently on its 15th season. It has also branched into numerous international spin-offs such as Drag Race Canada, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Drag Race Holland, Drag Race Thailand, Drag Race Down Under (Australia and New Zealand), and Drag Race Philippines.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of RuPaul’s Drag Race?
The prominent drag queen RuPaul Charles hosts RuPaul’s Drag Race while the cast or the contestants changes per season. Here is a list of the winners of the main seasons of the show:
- BeBe Zahara Benet
- Tyra Sanchez
- Raja
- Sharon Needles
- Jinkx Monsoon
- Bianca Del Rio
- Violet Chachki
- Bob The Drag Queen
- Sasha Velour
- Aquaria
- Yvie Oddly
- Jaida Essence Hall
- Symone
- Willow Pill
- Sasha Colby
What is the Rating for RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Many of the most popular episodes on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” have been season premieres and finales. Episodes featuring celebrity guest judges also gather a lot more traction.
For example, Nicki Minaj’s appearance on the season 12 premiere in 2020 garnered around 1.3 million viewers and is one of the highest-rated episodes of the show. Another highly-rated episode is the 9th season’s finale in 2017, in which Sasha Velour was crowned as the winner, drawing in 859,000 viewers and earning a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
How Are the Reviews for RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Critics’ reviews of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” have generally been positive over the years due to the show’s ability to bring the drag culture into the mainstream scene and to promote the acceptance of the LGBT community. Here are some examples of what critics have said about the show:
- Artist and drag academic Dr. Mark Edward told BBC that the show has “done a great job in terms of platforming drag and giving it a big broad media presence.”
- Meanwhile, Vulture claimed that RuPaul’s Drag Race is unfair for not recognizing talent anymore and only cares about the star quality of the contestants.
Where to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race in Canada?
Whether you’re a long-time drag enthusiast or a curious newcomer to the world of camp, you can always stream “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in Canada.
Is RuPaul’s Drag Race Available on Streaming?
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is available on Crave, a Canadian streaming service that hosts a wide range of content from various networks such as HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime, and Starz.
Crave has the exclusive rights to stream “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in Canada, and new episodes of the show are immediately available to stream after it airs on television.
Is RuPaul’s Drag Race Available For Rent (VOD)?
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is available for rent on various video-on-demand (VOD) platforms in Canada, including Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
Is RuPaul’s Drag Race Available on Cable or Free TV?
In Canada, you can watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on cable TV through the specialty television network OUTtv, which offers various programs primarily geared towards the LGBTQ community. The Canadian spin-off of the show Drag Race Canada is also available on the channel.
Alternatively, you can subscribe to OUTtvGo, the cable channel’s streaming service. OUTtvGo also offers exclusive content that is not available on the channel. You can choose a monthly subscription plan for $3.99 or an annual one for $39.99. OUTtvGo also offers a 7-day free trial to new subscribers.
Do You Need a VPN to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Not if you’re already in Canada and subscribed to any one of the services above. You can always use a VPN (virtual private network) to access streaming services like Crave or OUTtvGO to stream “RuPaul’s Drag Race” if you are outside Canadian regions. VPN apps such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are some of the services that work well for streaming.
More Than Just A Reality Show
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a groundbreaking reality series that celebrates the art, diversity, and culture of drag. It provided a platform for drag queens and performers from all walks of life to showcase their artistry and personalities, which debunked stereotypes and promoted the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
The show is available to drag fans in Canada on streaming services like Crave and OUTtv and on VOD sites like Amazon Prime Video and iTunes, where they may buy individual episodes or complete seasons.
