# SKY TV GUIDE vs BFBS Player

The clearest difference is update cadence: SKY TV GUIDE at every 2 months against BFBS Player's every 6 months. SKY TV GUIDE also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). BFBS Player's advantage is review sentiment (19% vs 6%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SKY TV GUIDE against 5.0 for BFBS Player. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 6% of SKY TV GUIDE's written reviews are positive against 19% of BFBS Player's.

SKY TV GUIDE ships an update every 2 months, BFBS Player every 6 months. Both last shipped on October 2, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SKY TV GUIDE | BFBS Player |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sky-tv-guide/id430971650/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfbs-player/id1017649305/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | 5.8% of reviews | **19.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 38 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Sky Network Television Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/430971653) | [BFBS Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/463475235) |

## What reviewers say

### SKY TV GUIDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sky-tv-guide/id430971650)

Access SKY's electronic program guide on your mobile device. Discover daily must-see picks, browse all channels, and remotely record shows to your MY SKY box. Set alerts and personalize your viewing experience.

**Highlights:** Daily must-see picks, Remote Record to MY SKY, Launch SKY GO channels, Set show alerts, Browse guide (grid/single view), Personalize favorite channels, Extended EPG browsing, Search function

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ⚡ Fast performance when working properly
- 🎯 Convenient remote recording functionality
- 📅 Useful for booking shows away from home
- 🔔 Alert notifications for scheduled programs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔐 Persistent login/authentication issues
- 🚫 App crashes and freezes frequently
- ⏳ Stuck on welcome/loading screens
- 🔄 Constant forced logout requiring re-authentication
- 📊 Inaccurate program data and channel information

**Reported bugs**

- Login fails repeatedly despite correct credentials
- App stuck on welcome/splash screen indefinitely
- Forced logout after brief inactivity
- Remote recording shows success but doesn't record
- Synchronizing with server error messages

**Requested features**

- Remember login credentials between sessions
- Dark mode support
- Series link functionality
- Landscape view for iPhone
- Filter search results by live broadcast status


### BFBS Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfbs-player/id1017649305)

Access a variety of UK TV channels and exclusive Forces content while serving overseas. Requires authentication with a Defence Gateway account for serving British Forces members and entitled users. Not intended for unsupervised use by minors.

**Highlights:** UK TV channels, Exclusive Forces channels, Overseas access, Defence Gateway authentication, Forces TV channel access in UK

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for overseas access
- 👍 Catch up service appreciated
- 👍 Improved login process (recent)
- 👍 Works well for some users
- 👍 Free service appreciated

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Location detection issues
- 🐛 Constant buffering
- 🐛 Login problems
- 🐛 App crashes/freezes
- 🐛 Limited channels available

**Reported bugs**

- App thinks users are in the UK when abroad
- App buffers constantly
- Unable to play stream
- Cannot log in
- App returns to login screen after submitting info

**Requested features**

- Show all channels
- Improve location detection for overseas users
- Add Apple TV app
- Enable screen mirroring/casting
- Make app backwards compatible for older iPads


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SKY TV GUIDE free?

SKY TV GUIDE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BFBS Player free?

BFBS Player is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SKY TV GUIDE or BFBS Player?

SKY TV GUIDE and BFBS Player are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do SKY TV GUIDE or BFBS Player have ads?

Neither SKY TV GUIDE nor BFBS Player shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SKY TV GUIDE or BFBS Player?

SKY TV GUIDE ships an update every 2 months, and BFBS Player every 6 months. Most recently, SKY TV GUIDE was updated on October 2, 2026 and BFBS Player on October 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*