BFI Player: Hand-picked films 12+

The range of films and value for money is excellent but I don’t understand why what I see on the BFI iPad app is different from what I see on the BFI Apple TV app. For instance on Apple TV, I can’t see the ‘Mark Kermode presents’ feature, or the playlist feature. Nor does it remember how much of a film you have watched if you don’t complete it all in one sitting. It makes it quite frustrating to use at times.

Thank you for your review. We currently have an early version of BFI Player live on the TV apps and are looking to roll out more features this year. If you have any other feedback, please contact us on bfiplayer@bfi.org.uk

I received the subscription to the BFI player as a Christmas present and, as a film lover, I was excited to delve into the available films. Unfortunately, the app is essentially useless as it is incredibly buggy, making it almost impossible to watch films on my TV (and I have no interest in watching them on a phone or even an iPad).

There have been a series of issues, most of which seem to be widespread amongst users.

The subscription only works on the app and website, you can not log in on a firestick (or I believe Apple TV); this requires a different account. But that is not specific to this app.

The website will allow you to log in on a TV browser (LG) but will not allow you to stream the films.

Playing on an iPad and casting to a TV via AirPlay, also will not work properly because after around 5 mins of playback, the app decides this constitutes two devices using one account at the same time.

I could go on, as each issue that I have managed to sort out through searching the multitude of other users having similar problems, has just lead me to the next problem that stops me from just enjoying a film on my TV through a subscription that has been paid for. But I’ll leave it at this shorter list of issues and finish by saying it’s more disappointing than anything. I just want to watch the excellent library on offer.

Thanks for your feedback. Our most recent releases address AirPlay issues. We have also released a Fire TV and tvOS app recently where you can watch and enjoy subscription films.

I’m new to the BFI player app. I was a little sad that there wasn’t and Apple TV app under which misunderstanding I subscribed. But so far my experience of airplay beaming from my phone to the apply tv works well enough. It’s also let me find more Mark Jenkin films so just for that I’m happy. Anything else is a plus. I really enjoy ‘Mark Kermode introduces’ too. I get the occasional stop due to the app reporting I’m logged in twice (I’m not.) But this is fixed by stopping g and starting again, and that puts my back where the film paused. Irritating, but not the end of the world. My impression is that the BfI are actively doing their best to give users a good experience without the limitless resources of Netflix and Disney. And for the most part they deliver to goods.

(For some reason Apple won’t let me tap a star. So 4 stars. Looking forward to adding a fifth. )

Hi Johnels, thank you very much for your useful feedback. We are currently working on the AirPlay experience. We'll let you know once that's been released.

*edit*

Hi Johnels, I wanted to let you know that there is now a tvOS BFI Player app. If you have any feedback, please let us know directly via bfiplayer@bfi.org.uk