Comparison

BBC America vs Spectiv

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BBC America

Stream full episodes of popular BBC America series like Killing Eve and Top Gear. Access video extras, sneak peeks, and live TV with your cable provider login. Resume watching where you left off.

Highlights
  • Full episode streaming
  • Video extras and sneak peeks
  • Live TV streaming
  • Cable/satellite provider login
  • Resume watching
  • Searchable library
  • Airplay/casting support
Features
Read full description

Get caught up in your favorite BBC America shows with full episodes, video extras, and sneak peeks at upcoming series. Log in with your cable or satellite provider to watch BBC America LIVE or full episodes of Killing Eve, Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show, and more of your favorite series. Plus you can search the library and track recently-viewed episodes and resume where you left off. Most full episodes require a cable or satellite login, though season premieres are sometimes made available with no login required. You can also sample trailers and behind-the-scenes clips. New episodes are available in-season, usually the day after broadcast. Use your iPhone or iPad to Airplay or cast to your television.

About

Spectiv

Discover a library of beautiful, ambient videos designed to create a relaxing atmosphere or enhance focus. Transform your screen into a window to stunning natural landscapes or a gallery of classic art. Enjoy an ad-free, no-commitment streaming experience.

Highlights
  • Ambient video library
  • Ultra High Definition content
  • HDR support
  • Spectiv Art Gallery
  • Ad-free experience
  • 14-day free trial
Features
Read full description

Spectiv is the streaming service you and your screens have both been waiting for. Access a library of beautiful videos to help curate a more relaxing atmosphere. Spectiv's ambient entertainment is designed for you to use any way you want. Experience gorgeous Ultra High Definition content providing an ambient entertainment experience designed to help you unplug from what's going on or focus on the things you want to do. Use it however works best for you. Get lost in the transportive imagery or simply let it improve the ambiance of the room while you cook, host a party, or finally read that book. Transform your screen into a window to the world and explore Swiss mountaintops with your family, find some solitude on Hawaiian beaches, meditate by the forest stream, and beyond; all while promoting presence and peace for your heart and mind. HDR: Many of our shows are mastered in stunning High Dynamic Range offer the best way to show off your phone's OLED display. You will feel like you could reach out and grab the leaves off the trees. Spectiv Art Gallery: In addition to Spectiv's original content your will also have access to the Spectiv Art Gallery. Instead of a window, make your screen a museum and enjoy videos featuring high resolution scans of classic works of art. No Commitment & Ad-Free: Sign up for one of our monthly plans and start your 14 Day Free Trial to gain access to the entire library of relaxing content. If subscribing through iTunes: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of your selected plan. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://spectiv.tv/termsofuse

Screenshots

BBC America4 screens
Spectiv4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Spectiv at 60% against BBC America's 5%. Spectiv also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.8) and ads (none vs shown). BBC America's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Spectiv sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. BBC America asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spectiv holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BBC America has 589 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 5% of BBC America's written reviews are positive against 60% of Spectiv's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BBC America ships an update monthly, Spectiv every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
BBC America versus Spectiv: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBBC AmericaSpectiv
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (589 ratings)4.5 (24 ratings) — better
Positive reviews5.0% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings589 — better24
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB10 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperBBC AmericaSpectiv Inc.

Customer experience

BBC America

All ratings589 ratings
Positive17.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative76.9%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive5.0%
Neutral6.9%
Negative88.1%

Spectiv

All ratings24 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and requests

BBC America

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and sign-in problems
  • Playback freezes and restarts randomly
  • Closed captions not working as expected
  • Casting and mirroring features broken

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add search and browse functionality
  • Improve rewind/fast-forward controls
  • Provide a paid ad-free subscription option
  • Sync playback progress across devices

Spectiv

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BBC America

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Spectiv

Subscriptions2
  • Standard Monthly - HD14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly - 4K HDR14 Days trial$5.991 Month

Questions

Is BBC America free?
BBC America is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spectiv free?
Spectiv is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BBC America or Spectiv?
Spectiv is rated higher. BBC America averages 1.8 out of 5 from 589 ratings, while Spectiv averages 4.5 from 24 ratings.
Do BBC America or Spectiv have ads?
BBC America shows ads; Spectiv does not.
Which is updated more often, BBC America or Spectiv?
BBC America ships an update monthly, and Spectiv every 4 months. Most recently, BBC America was updated on October 21, 2026 and Spectiv on October 11, 2026.

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