Video Streaming Application Development: How To Build It

Video live streaming is among the most popular types of video content. According to Statista, the audience reach was nearly 30% of Internet users as of Q3 2022. What does this mean for your business? If you want to promote yourself in a promising industry, video streaming app development is the right solution. We suggest finding out together the peculiarity of this direction and its possibilities for your business.

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.

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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.

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!