Big 98.1 vs Optimum
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
Stream live TV, manage DVR recordings, and explore an extensive On Demand library on any screen. This app offers a sleek interface for easy content discovery and allows for picture-in-picture viewing while browsing. It's designed for Optimum Video subscribers to enjoy their favorite programs anywhere, anytime.
- Watch Live TV and browse guide
- Access On Demand library
- TV to GO feature for remote viewing
- Picture-in-picture video player
- Schedule and manage Cloud DVR recordings
- View scheduled and recorded lists
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Turn every screen into a TV with the Optimum app, designed for Optimum Video subscribers. Enjoy your favorite live TV while on the go plus, manage your DVR recordings and browse our extensive On Demand library from any room in your home, all on the app. Features: Sleek new interface and easier content discovery. Watch: • Watch Live TV and browse your your entire TV guide and channel lineup • Browse and access our On Demand library directly from the app • With the TV to GO feature, watch programs from top networks anytime, anywhere • Use the picture in picture video player to watch content while browsing other sections of the Optimum app or multitasking on your device Record: • Schedule and manage your Cloud DVR recordings • View your 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 or internet connection. Some features only available while connected to Optimum Internet at home • Visit optimum.net/app for more information *Some features 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/residential/television/app
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Optimum at 4.5 against Big 98.1's 3.8. Optimum also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (28K vs 6). Big 98.1's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 15%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Optimum holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Optimum has 28K 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 15% of Optimum'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 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Big 98.1 | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (6 ratings) | 4.5 (28K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 14.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 28K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | JVC Media LLC | CSC Holdings, LLC. |
Customer experience
Big 98.1
Optimum
Bugs and requests
Big 98.1
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Optimum
Reported bugs
3 issues- Live TV not working on multiple devices
- Guide not showing full program information
- Inability to record shows from the app
Requested features
4 requests- Bring back old app's functionality
- Improve channel guide and search
- Add remote control capabilities
- Allow casting to non-smart TVs
In-app purchases
Big 98.1
No in-app purchases
Optimum
No in-app purchases
