Demand for high-quality content is growing, and people are choosing video streaming services instead of paying for cable TV. Ever since YouTube, video streaming has gained epic levels of popularity. TV broadcasting is losing ground to video streaming, and here’s why.
Table of contents
Must-have features to win over users What features can add more value to your tv show streaming app? How much does it cost to develop an app like Netflix? How to start a streaming service like Netflix? Conclusions
Why is video streaming more popular than cable TV?
People want to watch high-quality videos that match their interests. When it comes to television, programs air at a fixed time, restricting viewers and leaving them without choice. Viewers cannot choose what program they want to watch when there is some free time. Conversely, viewers have to watch anything on the air. That’s why the number of people dropping pay-TV is growing.
To fit their schedules and interests, people opt for video streaming apps to fill their need for video entertainment. They can use it on a variety of handheld devices, but still, any smartphone cannot beat large smart screens.
Streamed video content is available at any time people want to watch it. This allows users to watch movies or shows at a time that suits them but not a TV broadcasting company. Moreover, people can watch their favorite shows or series even on the go when using apps suitable for both smart TVs and mobile devices.
Best video streaming apps compared
You’ve probably heard of Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu. Before googling how to create a streaming service, check out the best apps and compare them. These are a few brightest examples of video streaming services. Let’s have a closer look and consider their pros and cons 🔽
Netflix
Netflix is the most popular video streaming service. It offers a wide selection of TV shows, movies, series, comedy specials, and original Netflix series as well. Viewers can enjoy Netflix via monthly subscription.
➕ A rich collection of video content
➖ High price
Hulu
Hulu is used for streaming the latest TV shows. While subscribed, the users get access to the most popular shows and a number of сable shows. All the shows are uploaded to Hulu the day after they air. The viewers also get access to both past and current seasons.
Hulu has the widest selection of movies as well as anime series. Though Hulu isn’t a free video streaming service, it has commercials that the viewers have to sit through before a show starts. But the users can upgrade their subscription and enjoy ad-free video streaming.
One of Hulu’s advantages is that it gets major network shows and movies more quickly than Netflix or Amazon.
➕ Great collection of the latest TV shows and movies
➖ Recurring commercials
Amazon Prime Video
With Amazon Video, viewers can enjoy thousands of various movies and TV shows. Thanks to a deal with Viacom that MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, the users have a nice choice of comedies and movies. Amazon’s Prime Video also has a wide of HBO’s classics.
➕ A wide selection of video content
➖ Paid content
TV streaming services are still evolving. If you want to top the market of TV streaming apps, it’s high time to jump on the bandwagon and develop your own TV streaming app.
Nevertheless, Netflix is the top video streaming app for Android and iOS, there are still some free slots on the market for your new video streaming app. With more than 157 bln of active subscribers, Netflix is the greatest example of video streaming apps that you should follow why building your own one.
Must-have features to win over users
To convince viewers to install and use a video streaming service, they need basic features to make the most out of the app. Here are a few features to consider:
Registration
Home
Filters
Registration is one of the main features that any app should have. Users can register via social accounts, emails or telephone numbers.
The home screen is the “heart” of your video streaming app. It’s a place where users can find all the content they’re watching or have watched as well as recommendations.
Users like searching for the genres they’re interested in. Filters ease the search and sorting content. For example, watchers can filter by movie genre: comedy and drama, news, crime, etc.
Personal profiles
Payment
Social sharing
Users should have the ability to create personal profiles and manage their personal data, emails, telephone numbers, and passwords. Moreover, users should be able to manage their payment options as well.
The app should provide as many payment options as possible, including credit and debit cards, special-use cards, prepaid cards, etc.
Sometimes users get excited about the content they watch and want to share it with their friends. Thus one-click social media sharing may be much appreciated by users.
What features can add more value to your tv show streaming app?
We’ve already mentioned the basic features that are an integral part of your streaming movie app. It’s impossible to launch a Netflix-like streaming service without them. But if you want to win over more users, consider adding more useful and interesting features. Here you can find some of them 🔽
Social sign-in
Reviews and ratings
Live streaming of TV shows or sporting events
Recommended content
Geo-blocking
Watch later
Video quality
While working on the list of features, put a premium on your customers and solving their pains. And the following strategy will help you to develop the best movie rental app.
How much does it cost to develop an app like Netflix?
There are no differences between app development for Android or iOS. But for an MVP (or Minimum Viable Product), it’s far better to start with one operating system. In case you need to blow into the market of video streaming apps, you have to think over the development of the app for both mobile operating systems. Moreover, don’t forget about the SVOD website since Netflix-type streaming services are often used in web versions.
For sure, hard-to-use app turn aside users and trail far behind Netflix and Hulu. So they aren’t likely to get 10k downloads a day. The simple and user-friendly design will make your online streaming movies app stand out from the crowd. As a rule, UX/ UI design takes around 4-6 weeks (approximately $1,500). Below you can find a rough estimate of video streaming app development cost for iOS and Android apps 🔽
Feature
Development time
Cost
User registration + login
1 - 2 weeks
$3,500
User profile
1 weeek
$2,000
Payments integration
1 weeek
$2,000
Search and filters
1 - 2 weeks
$3,500
Video player
1 weeek
$2,000
Comments and chat
1 - 2 weeks
$3,500
Settings
1 weeek
$2,000
Total
~3 months
$18,000
How to start a streaming service like Netflix?
Step 1: Find your market
Research, analyze, and test your idea before developing your online streaming and movies app. On-demand video streaming is a general idea, you should choose a specific niche. What type of movies, programs, soap operas you’re going to stream or probably, you’ve thought about building an Android video streaming app for kids?
Making a choice is an important step in the video streaming app development process. Surely, you ride the coattails of Netflix and develop a Netflix-like streaming app, but consider adding some out-of-the-ordinary features to make your app a thrive.
Step 2: Generate content
Content makes the core of your video streaming Android and iOS app. Before generating content, you have to decide what type of content you’d like to share.
Step 3: Get your license
Without licensing for content, you cannot broadcast any movie, series, or TV shows. Note, it’s illegal to stream anything without a license. Moreover, you have to get licenses for all types of content you’re going to stream.
And there are only two ways to legally stream any content:
By renting a movie directly from a distributor
By contacting the copyright holder
Note, getting licenses really costs the Earth. If you’re going to develop an iPhone video streaming app like Netflix, you need to spend billions of dollars on content licensing. According to Investopedia , the company spent nearly $13 billion on content licensing and production. Of course, it’s even better to start small and test your idea than playing big.
Having a website like Netflix isn’t enough in the era of handheld devices and mobility. Moreover, users spend more time using their mobile devices than PCs.
It means that a mobile app of your streaming services will help you reach more customers and become a number-one Bluetooth video streaming app. While choosing a platform for your mobile app-to-be, take into consideration the preferences of your users. If your users prefer Android, then build an app for Android first and vice versa.
Step 5: Keep your focus on the audience
And one more important step to take is finding your target audience. There are a few tactics of finding your target audience:
Use the power of social media
People spend around 2 hours on social platforms and social media according to the latest survey . Share videos, encourage your users to share your app across all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. The right social media marketing can give your app a 100% boost to become the most popular video streaming app on the market.
Take advantage of YouTube
YouTube is a powerful means to promote your brand. So why not use it and build a trustful attitude towards your product?
Draw up newsletters
Send your users-to-be emails with a detailed description of your app, special offers, etc. Don’t underestimate the power of well-thought email campaigns. They can also generate users and build trustful relationships.
Ready? Steady? Go and Develop Your Own App!
Users are shifting from one online streaming service to another to choose one that fits their needs best. Though the video streaming market has a few choices that offer 24/7 access to video content, over the half of video streaming is now accessed through online streaming services.
Video streaming apps have enormous potential since they offer unmatched convenience and full control over what to watch and when to watch. At mova.io , we’ve developed several video streaming services, check our portfolio for more detailed information. Have questions on how to create a video streaming app? Drop us a line and get all the answers.
Have a question? Just write to us at:
📮 mail@mova.io
