Video Streaming App Development: How to Develop Apps like Hulu And How to Reduce Its Cost?

More and more television viewers are changing their preferences from regular cable television video streaming app viewing. This type of television viewing allows the user to watch TV shows and movies that are already being broadcast, but the user has missed them for some reason. Consequently, it is also called on-demand television viewing.

Hulu and Netflix are two such streaming applications that allow the user to watch television "on demand," anywhere and everywhere with the aforementioned devices. Another advantage is that the consumer pays less of a subscription fee to watch selective TV channels, rather than paying more money to the cable company and watching an entire package of TV channels. In this article, we will make a general overview of the functionality of popular video streaming apps, as well as learn how to develop your own.

Video streaming market overview

According to the American Motion Picture Association, last year the global video streaming app audience grew by 26% and exceeded 1.1 billion people. This dynamic is commonly associated with pandemics and lockdowns, but this is only partially true. The pandemic is over while video streaming app companies are still recording growth in traffic. For example, WarnerMedia, which owns HBO, had 70% of its users preferring the online service over cable back in March.

Video Streaming: What to Expect in 2024?

As users' appetites for streaming content on their iOS and Android devices continue to surge. It's crucial to build a live streaming app that will adapt to these changing preferences. Here are the top video streaming trends to consider in 2024.

Interactive Viewing

Beyond passive viewing, interactive content is making waves. Quizzes, live polls, and integrated chats are becoming increasingly common. These elements encourage real-time engagement, making viewers excited.

Monetization Strategies

Nowadays, monetization opportunities are flourishing. To make a video streaming app, consider ad-supported models, premium subscriptions, and in-app purchases.

Cloud-Based Technologies

Mind cloud-based technologies to develop live streaming app. Scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are the keys. Such solutions handle increased user demand while keeping infrastructure costs in check.

Short-Form Content

The popularity of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has not gone unnoticed. Adopt this trend to attract users who prefer quick and engaging content.

Key Features of Video Streaming Platform

This is a technology that provides real-time video streaming. Such services provide access to movies, cartoons, TV series, sports broadcasts, shows, etc. A user does not need to download this or that content. They can watch videos on any device.

There are many examples of such platforms, but the most discussed in the world is Netflix. It is followed by brands such as HBO and Disney+. That said, Netflix has a wider audience, with 765 million global users as of April 2022. Total revenue reached $31.6 billion in 2022.

What causes the popularity of video streaming services? Let's look at the example of Netflix to see what key benefits users receive:

• Availability. Users can access the service on different operating systems and mobile platforms (Android, iOS). They can also watch their favorite shows and movies on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
• Originality of content. Some videos offered by the platform are unique and exclusive. They are available exclusively on this service and often by subscription.
• No ads when buying premium access. Ads are only shown to users with free access. Paid subscribers can watch videos without being distracted by ads. This valuable feature attracts a new audience.
• Recommendations. The platform contains thousands of videos in different genres and for different audiences. To make it easier for viewers to find content, the video streaming app developers have implemented a complex algorithm of recommendations. It considers the user's viewing history and other parameters and selects videos according to their interests.
• Convenient controls. The video streaming app provides a better user experience. For example, you can choose subtitles for video and audio tracks, and the player continues to run on top of all windows when you minimize the app.
• Synchronization on all devices. For example, you can start watching a series from your laptop, and continue watching it from the same place on your tablet or smartphone.

It is important to understand that achieving the popularity of Netflix and other top platforms is only possible with a responsible approach to development. Next, consider the path you must take to implement your tech idea.

7 Steps to Create a Streaming App

Video streaming app development consists of 7 steps, starting with market analysis and niche selection. As a result, you get a product with a well-thought-out design and functionality adapted specifically to your audience.

Target market research and niche search

It starts with analyzing the market in which you want to launch a live-streaming video platform. It is important to create a service that meets the preferences and requirements of users from specific regions or countries.

You must also decide on the niche, namely what content the resource will offer: entertainment, informative, educational, sports, and more. Perhaps you should create a universal service with a variety of content divided into categories.

Determine content originality

At this stage, you should answer the question: what videos will you show on your service: videos created by yourself or third-party videos? The latter involves obtaining the author's permission to use the video. You have to contact them directly or buy content from an official distributor.

Choose the type of monetization

A video streaming service cannot exist without monetization. By and large, all platforms work according to one of the schemes:

• Pay per view. The user pays to watch one video. These can be concerts, sporting events, conferences, etc.
• Advertising. Running ads from other companies on your platform. This model is effective only when the service has already become popular.
• Subscription. Users pay a monthly fee for the opportunity to watch video content on your resource. This can be called the best monetization method if the content is released regularly.
• Premium subscriptions. Motivating customers to get more features for an additional fee. This can be, for example, access to exclusive content.
• Trial period. Giving a potential user a free trial period so that they can evaluate its convenience and variety of content and soon become your loyal customer.

Choose a content delivery network (CDN)

This refers to interconnected servers that deliver data to users quickly. This reduces bandwidth costs and increases the quality and quantity of content. CDN speeds up video downloads, reduces latency, and increases service resiliency. Content is delivered anywhere in the world at the same speed.

Artificial Intelligence

In the realm of video streaming application development, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force. AI technologies, such as machine learning and computer vision, offer tremendous opportunities to enhance the user experience and optimize various aspects of video streaming platforms. By leveraging AI algorithms, these applications can provide personalized recommendations based on user preferences, viewing history, and demographic data. Furthermore, AI-powered content analysis can automatically tag, categorize, and generate metadata for videos, enabling efficient content management and improved search capabilities. Additionally, AI-based video analytics can enable real-time monitoring, allowing streaming platforms to detect and respond to issues like video quality degradation or copyright violations promptly. As AI continues to advance, it holds immense potential to revolutionize the video streaming landscape, creating more immersive and engaging experiences for users while streamlining operations for service providers.

UI/UX design

Creating a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface is the first step in attracting new users. Colors should harmonize, the text should be readable and understandable, and buttons, the search bar, and other elements should be visible on the page.

Functionality development

Based on the prototype of your chosen platform, you should decide what features you would like to implement in your project, for example:

• simplified registration
• secure login
• ratings and reviews
• push notifications
• personalized recommendations
• video content search and filtering
• multilingual support
• built-in e-wallet and more

Testing and launch

Before the full launch, the platform undergoes such tests:

• functionality (the correctness of this or that function);
• performance under a certain load;
• compatibility with different devices and operating systems;
• usability for the target user.
  
  Get a technical consultation!

  

  Volodymyr Khodonovych

  Video Streaming App Development Expert

  Skilled, experienced video streaming app development expert from Perfsol is ready to answer any questions regarding the [design](https://perfsol.tech/video-streaming-apps-ux-design) and development of your apps. Choose a platform to speak, ask questions, and we'll certainly answer.

  Get a tech consultation
  
  Online video streaming app audiences are growing beyond lockdowns. This is evidenced by the fact that video streaming app viewers are actively moving to mobile apps, meaning they watch movies even when they don't have a home TV or laptop.

According to estimates by Grand View Research, the total revenue in the segment of live streaming app development, including streaming services such as Youtube and Twitch gaming, increased by 28% over 2020. In the previous 5 years, it grew in the range of 22% to 30%. In other words, digital content consumption is a fundamental trend, not just a pandemic effect.

Another peculiarity of the video streaming app development market is that its main players are not direct competitors. For the most part, the battle for audiences is between classic content providers (film and TV) and new ones (streaming video), and subscribers on digital channels are not strictly tied to one service. For example, half of Netflix paid users have parallel subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu, and more than 60% have subscriptions to Amazon Prime.

How to develop a live streaming app like Hulu

Hulu is an American live streaming video streaming app originally conceived as a series aggregator, owned by NBC and Comcast. It is now owned by Disney. The name was taken from Chinese and has two meanings: pumpkin and interactive recording. It positions itself as a premium company. Over 13 years, 38 million people have become regular customers of this video streaming app.

Hulu is the only video streaming app in the U.S. market, which provides access to content from major television networks. Hulu also has an agreement with some record labels and can broadcast music videos and concerts.

Hulu's rich functionality attracts many users. In particular, its success is due to the following video streaming app development features.

Rich library

Today, the Hulu video streaming app is more than just a movie library. A subscription provides access to TV channels, TV series, show selections, and much more. Of course, there are no miracles and users have to pay extra for the full set of features by purchasing a more expensive subscription. The convenience here is that users can do it all in one video streaming app.

Multi-platform

Another plus for Hulu video streaming app is the ability to stream on a variety of devices. A good video streaming service has apps for smart TV, PC Android, and iOS. It is not even necessary to watch movies on TV. With good mobile Internet, users can watch shows and movies on the go or while traveling.

Offline access

Even if the user travels to the middle of nowhere without network access, a Hulu video streaming app subscription allows subscribers to save content to their device and watch it offline. Users can simply download whatever they'd like to watch and not have to worry about the connection.

TOP 3 live streaming app examples developed by Perfsol

Let's take a look at several video streaming app development projects by Perfsol. This company specializes in live streaming app development.

Allego

Allego is not just a video streaming service, it's your own corporate YouTube. Basically, the platform allows business owners to train their employees and stream live videos. The users get virtual personal video practices with professional trainers and valuable feedback. Students using the app say the new features have made it much easier to find the video information they need.

We closely collaborated with Allego's team to outline goals, feasibility, and development approach. Our Lead Android developer played a vital role, suggesting the use of Kotlin to expedite the coding process and then converting code fragments to Java for further development. It allowed us to swiftly develop essential features.

For 3 years, Perfsol remains a dedicated partner to Allego, providing technical support as the project grows.

DNS

We helped DNS NET to create DNS TV, a custom video-on-demand streaming service that provides a wide range of content, including TV shows, movies, and live streaming. Facing a shortage of technical expertise, DNS NET sought Perfsol's assistance to develop this idea, using Android TV and Amazon Fire TV. The resulting app now offers advanced features like timeshift, instant replay, and cross-device synchronization, satisfying user’s needs. The cooperation has been already lasting for 2.5 years.

Camugo

Our partnership with Camugo resulted in a brilliant video streaming app for coaches and sports analysts. This app automatically produces video content from various cameras, enables real-time editing, provides tools for in-depth game analysis, live streaming, TV graphics, commentary sound, and VAR. Users of this video streaming app can perform game analysis during live coverage using CAMUGO's built-in drawing tool.

Featuring the ability to summarize scenes, instant camera angle changes, and a drawing tool for live game analysis, Camugo offers an extensive array of features, all efficiently maintained and expanded upon by Perfsol till now.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Streaming Service?

The cost of developing a video streaming app depends on several factors: the scale and duration of the project, the technologies used and the number of features implemented, and the need for integrations. The approximate cost ranges from $25,000 to $35,000. The price for an advanced app based on innovations (e.g., AI) can reach $100,000 and more.

The exact amount of your project can be calculated by contacting the developer with whom you plan to cooperate. As a rule, outsourcing companies have an individual approach to pricing. A specialist will determine the budget based on a combination of factors.

Video streaming mobile applications will open vast opportunities for you to enter the global market and maximize profits. Once the product becomes widespread, it will pay off all the money invested and benefit you in the long run. The main thing is to choose a reliable development partner with relevant experience. Contact our manager for an in-depth consultation on developing a successful digital solution!

TOP 3 recommendations to reduce the cost of video streaming app development

There are two ways of optimizing the cost of video streaming app development: to reduce the video streaming app development budget and reduce the risk of overspending. Let's look at the specifics of both video streaming app development approaches.

Outsourcing

Ordering live streaming app development from a company located far across the ocean, you can cut the cost almost in half. For example, the live streaming app developers from Eastern Europe and particularly Ukraine combine low prices per hour of work with the highest quality of video streaming app development performance.

Experienced team

The longer the video streaming app development project is, the more money you have to spend on it. Working with an experienced video streaming app development team you can significantly reduce development time and hence budget. As the experience of the Perfsol video streaming app development company shows, this factor is often crucial for the successful completion of the video streaming app development project on time.

Giving up non-key functionality

Even a seemingly simple feature can turn out to be expensive to implement, but not critical to the project. You need to identify the key functionality and assess the cost and importance of the secondary. As a result, decide what you want to avoid and what you want to keep. You can first implement MVP - a minimum viable product that will have a set of only necessary functions. This way, with less cost, you can understand whether it is worth developing the project further.

---

Video streaming app development services are convenient tools for watching TV, movies, and shows. Often, in addition to video content, they also provide access to audiobooks and podcasts. Many video streaming app services have convenient video streaming apps for mobile and desktop operating systems and provide the ability to save content to your device for further offline viewing. It isn’t difficult to become the owner of such a service and make some profit. Enlist the support of a reliable video streaming app development partner and development will go like clockwork. Contact Perfsol video streaming app development company now and we'll start creating a new market leader together.

The Perfsol team is ready to help you achieve your goal. Contact us to get expert advice and discuss cooperation details!