Big 98.1 vs Optimum TV
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Big 98.1
Stream classic hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, featuring iconic artists like Elton John, The Beatles, and Madonna. Enjoy the biggest songs of your life with this radio app.
- Classic hits radio
- 60s music
- 70s music
- 80s music
- Iconic artists
- Live streaming
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LONG ISLAND'S GREATEST HITS, FROM ELTON JOHN, BILLY JOEL, PHIL COLLINS, THE EAGLES, MADONNA,,HUEY LEWIS, PRINCE TO THE BEATLES, STONES, MOTOWN ERA TOO!.THE BIGGEST SONGS OF YOUR LIFE FROM THE 80’S 70'S, & 60’S!
Optimum TV
Stream live television, On Demand content, and Cloud DVR recordings from anywhere within your home. Enjoy your favorite shows and networks on the go with internet access. The app allows you to manage recordings and even restart select programs.
- Stream Live TV
- Watch On Demand content
- Access Cloud DVR recordings
- Watch TV to GO on the go
- Resume watching on TV
- Restart select shows
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All your shows in one place. Stream Live TV or catch up on your Cloud DVR recordings from anywhere within your home. Plus, you can watch TV on the go with some of your favorite shows and networks available, anytime, anywhere there is an internet connection with the Optimum TV App. Features Watch: • Watch Live TV for your entire channel lineup, On Demand programming and your Cloud DVR recordings from anywhere in your home • Rent and watch On Demand movies directly from the Optimum TV App • With the TV to GO feature, watch programs from top networks anytime, anywhere • Start watching a recording on your device and resume watching the same program on your TV • Use Restart to start select shows from the very beginning, even if you tune in late * Record: • Schedule Cloud DVR Recordings • View Scheduled and Recorded Lists • Manage Scheduled and Recorded programs Requirements: • Available content and features are based on your current programming package and premium service. Not all content is available to stream at this time. • An Optimum ID and Password • A WiFi connection • Visit optimum.net/app for more information *Feature not available in all areas. Privacy Policy : https://www.optimum.com/terms-of-service/privacy/Customer-Privacy/optimum-customer-privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.optimum.com/terms-of-service/optimum-tv-app
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Optimum TV at 4.6 against Big 98.1's 3.8. Optimum TV also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (26K vs 6). Big 98.1's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 23%). On price and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Optimum TV holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Optimum TV has 26K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Big 98.1's written reviews are positive against 23% of Optimum TV's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Big 98.1 ships an update every 6 months, Optimum TV every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Big 98.1 | Optimum TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (6 ratings) | 4.6 (26K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 23.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 26K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | JVC Media LLC | Altice USA, Inc. |
Customer experience
Big 98.1
Optimum TV
Bugs and requests
Big 98.1
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Optimum TV
Reported bugs
3 issues- Guide not loading properly when scrolling to future programs
- Inability to log in or change password through the app
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps or devices
Requested features
4 requests- Picture-in-picture support on mobile devices
- Ability to continue watching across app switches
- Improved channel guide navigation and search
- More device compatibility
In-app purchases
Big 98.1
No in-app purchases
Optimum TV
No in-app purchases
