“Discovery+ is not just a Streaming Service; It’s an Odyssey of Exploration, Bringing the Wonders of the World to Your Fingertips.”

– Neil deGrasse Tyson. 

 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, streaming platforms have become the go-to destination for users seeking diverse and engaging content. One such standout in the realm of streaming services is Discovery+, a platform that seamlessly blends the thrill of discovery with a vast array of captivating content. If you’ve ever wondered how to build an app like Discovery+, you’ve reached the right place. 

The size of the entertainment industry was projected to be USD 27.72 billion this year. The market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% throughout the course of the forecast period, reaching USD 40.36 billion in five years. These figures make it quite evident that businesses may benefit in the future from investing in the entertainment app development. 

This comprehensive guide is your roadmap to crafting a cutting-edge app that mirrors the success of Discovery+. We will explore its essential features, costs and development steps to build an app like Discovery+ and other aspects.  

So, let’s begin. 

 

What is Discovery+ App?

Discovery+ is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of factual content from the Discovery, Inc. family of channels, including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and more. In addition, the discovery+ mobile app offers an expanding collection of original programs and unique material that is only available through it. 

 

 

 

Numerous gadgets, including PCs, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and streaming media players, are compatible with it. The service also offers offline viewing, so you can download your favorite shows and movies to watch on the go.  

However, if you are looking to build an app like Discovery+, you must consult with a reputed entertainment app development company that can help you. They should have a team of experienced app developers who can create a custom app for you.  

 

Current Market Stats and Usage of Discovery+ App

• By 2022, the entertainment sector is projected to bring in US$31.23 billion. 
• With a predicted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.44% from 2022 to 2027, the market size is expected to reach US$53.13 billion.
• A survey conducted in November 2022 in the United States revealed that six percent of respondents had watched the streaming service offered by Discovery+ with advertising every day during the month before the survey.
• Discovery+ has a 76% brand recognition among video-on-demand users in the United States.

 

 

• Warner Bros. Discovery reported that its direct-to consumer video streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+ have about 95 million subscribers.
• Around 25% of U.S. users of video-on-demand in March 2022 had heard about Discovery+ through the media, social media or advertising in the last four weeks.
• TLC and Discovery+ both had audiences of 81 million in 2021.

 

Steps to Build an App Like Discovery+ 

Investing in video streaming app development like Discovery+ requires careful planning and execution to create a seamless streaming experience. Follow these steps to embark on this exciting venture:  

 

 

1. Market Research and Conceptualization 

To begin with, gather as much information as possible on the target market, rivals, and market trends. Determine the distinguishing features that will make your app stand out. Describe the main functions, content categories, and user interface of the app as you conceptualize it. Take into account user input from current platforms and make necessary adjustments. 

 

2. Define Features and Functionality 

Outline the features and functionality your app will offer. For Discovery+, this may include personalized content recommendations, a vast library of videos, offline viewing options, and user profiles. 

Prioritize features based on user needs and technological feasibility. Create a comprehensive feature list with the assistance of an android app development company and prioritize them based on their importance and impact on the user experience. 

 

3. Choose the Right Technology Stack 

For the program to function well and scale, the right technological stack must be chosen. Choose a development framework, programming language, and database system that align with your project requirements. Ensure that the technology stack supports features like video streaming, content delivery, and user authentication securely.

 

4. Development and Prototyping 

Begin the discovery+ app development process by creating a prototype or MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This allows you to test the basic functionality and gather early user feedback. Hire mobile app developers to build an app like Discovery+ gradually putting the most important features first. Create a scalable design to allow for upgrades and improvements in the future.

 

 

5. Content Acquisition and Licensing

Reach license deals with content producers and distributors to obtain premium content for your platform. Reach agreements to guarantee a varied and engaging collection of material. Put in place a strong content management system to efficiently arrange and classify the content. Make sure your app abides by intellectual property rules and copyright standards. 

 

6. Testing and Quality Assurance

In order to find and resolve errors and guarantee a flawless user experience, thorough testing is necessary. To resolve any problems, carry out security, performance, and functional testing. Make sure the app is compatible by testing it on various devices and screen sizes. Prior to the actual launch, incorporate user input from beta testing to improve the app.

 

7. Launch and Marketing 

When launching your app, think strategically and take into account things like marketing channels, target audience, and timing. To raise awareness, make use of digital marketing techniques including influencer marketing, content marketing, and social media.

Make your app store listings stand out by adding eye-catching images and descriptions. After the app launches, track user input and make changes depending on statistics and user reviews. 

 

Essential Features to Build an App Like Discovery+

Building an app like Discovery+ requires a careful consideration of essential features to ensure a seamless user experience and competitive edge in the streaming industry. Here’s a crucial features that you must integrate in iOS app development with the help of experts:

 

 

1. User-friendly Interface:

A user-friendly interface is crucial for any app’s success. Discovery+ excels in this aspect, with its intuitive layout, simple navigation, and easy-to-find content categories. The app should be designed with the target audience in mind, ensuring effortless navigation and seamless accessibility for both tech-savvy and novice users.

 

2. High-quality Video Streaming:

Discovery+ is known for its high-quality video streaming capabilities, delivering a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience. The app should support various video formats and resolutions, adapting to different internet speeds and device capabilities.

Adaptive bitrate streaming technology should be incorporated with the help of dedicated developers to ensure consistent quality playback across various network conditions.

 

3. Personalized Content Recommendations:

Discovery+ offers tailored content suggestions by efficiently using user data and watching habits. Recommendation algorithms should be incorporated into the app to provide recommendations for relevant material that matches the user’s interests based on their watchlist, search history, and preferences. Users are more engaged with this tailored approach, and they are more likely to find interesting and fresh stuff.

 

4. Offline Viewing:

One useful tool that lets consumers download information for later viewing without an internet connection is offline watching. Those who travel frequently or have spotty internet connectivity will find this feature very helpful. 

The app should provide seamless offline viewing capabilities, enabling users to download episodes, movies, and documentaries for playback on their devices. However, integrating such features can increase the entertainment app development cost.  

 

5. Interactive Features and In-app Engagement:

Discovery+ incorporates interactive features and in-app engagement tools to enhance the viewing experience. The app should explore features like polls, quizzes, and live chats to encourage user participation and foster a sense of community. These interactive elements can also be used to gather valuable user feedback and insights.

 

6. Multi-device Compatibility:

Numerous gadgets, such as tablets, smart TVs, smartphones, and streaming devices, are compatible with Discovery+. The app should be designed to provide a consistent and optimized experience across all supported platforms, ensuring seamless usability and content accessibility regardless of the user’s device preference.

So, when you build a video streaming app like discovery+, you must incorporate such a feature which can enhance the user engagement.  

 

7. Push Notifications and Alerts:

Push alerts and notifications are used by Discovery+ to notify viewers of impending premieres, newly released content, and customized suggestions. It is recommended that the application have push notification options that enable users to personalize their notification choices, guaranteeing they receive pertinent updates without being inundated. 

 

8. Seamless Social Media Integration:

Discovery+ encourages social sharing by enabling users to easily share content and engage 

with their social networks. The app should integrate with popular social media platforms, allowing users to share their favorite clips, discuss episodes with friends, and participate in online conversations related to the shows they enjoy. Consider implementing these features when you create a video streaming website for a robust social viewing experience. 

 

9. Subscription Management and Payment Options:

Discovery+ offers flexible subscription plans and various payment options to cater to different user preferences. When you create a streaming App like discovery+, you should provide a clear and user-friendly interface for managing subscriptions, viewing billing history, and making payments securely. Multiple payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets, should be supported to accommodate diverse user preferences. 

 

Most Popular Entertainment Apps Like Discovery+

 

Apps Like Discovery+	Available Platform	Downloads	Ratings
Hulu	Android | iOS	50M+	4.5
National Geographic	Android | iOS	500K+	4.3
History Vault	Android | iOS	100K+	3.4
HBO Max	Android | iOS	10M+	4.7
Peacock TV	Android | iOS	10M+	4.5

 

1. Hulu

Hulu is one of the best video streaming apps that has over 46,000,000 subscribers. It has a variety of TV series, movies, documentaries and originals.

 

 

This includes many Discovery+ originals such as “Gold Rush” or “Deadliest Catch.” Hulu offers a live streaming TV option that allows users to watch popular channels such as ABC, ESPN and FX. 

 

2. National Geographic

National Geographic’s own streaming app offers a wealth of content, including documentaries, science and nature shows, as well as documentaries.

 

 

National Geographic has a wide range of visually stunning content, from exploring the depths and heart of the jungle to diving into the depths of oceans. This app features exclusive series and shows, which makes it an appealing alternative for science and nature enthusiasts. 

 

3. History Vault

History Vault offers a great alternative for those who love historical content and documentaries. This app gives you access to an extensive collection of historical documentaries and series.

 

 

History Vault is a comprehensive app that covers many topics, from ancient civilizations to contemporary history. This app is a great choice for history enthusiasts who are interested in exploring the past. 

 

4. HBO Max

HBO Max is the streaming service of HBO, Warner Bros. and DC. It has a variety of TV series, movies, documentaries and originals.

 

 

This includes many Discovery+ originals such as “90 Day Fiance”, “Fixer upper” and other popular shows. An app like HBO Max is also committed to creating original content and has won many awards for their shows and movies.  

 

5. Peacock TV

Peacock, the streaming service of NBCUniversal, is available in English. Peacock offers a variety of TV series, movies, documentaries and originals.

 

 

This includes many Discovery+ originals such as “My Cat From Hell” and “Dr. Pimple Popper.” Peacock offers a free level that allows users to view a limited amount of content. 

 

6. Netflix

The Netflix app offers a vast library of streaming content, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original productions. Users can browse personalized recommendations, create custom watchlists, and enjoy seamless playback across multiple devices. 

 

 

The app also supports offline viewing, allowing subscribers to download content for on-the-go watching. However, you can create a video streaming app like Netflix by integrating AI-based features and functionalities.  

 

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Discovery+?

How much does it cost to build an app? As you can see, many influencing factors can shift the cost to build a mobile app in either direction. For example, app complexity, features and functionalities, app design, backend and frontend deployment, testing and deployment and so on. 

 

 

Generally, a basic app may cost you around $10,000-$14,000 while a more complex mobile app will cost you around $15,000-$20,000 and reach $25,000 with AI-integration technology. Below is the table that showcases the mobile app development cost and time to build an app like Discovery+ on the basis of app complexity:   

 

App Complexity	Cost Estimation	Time Duration
Basic App	$10000-$14000	2-4 months
Medium App	$15000-$20000	5-6 months
Complex App	$25000	8 months or more

 

So, if you want to know the exact cost estimation, then you must consult with an experienced mobile app development company. They can give you an accurate cost and time duration of a project.  

 

Conclusion 

Embarking on the journey to build an app like Discovery+ requires a strategic approach and comprehensive understanding of the streaming industry. Leveraging the insights shared in this ultimate guide can pave the way for a successful venture. 

To turn this vision into reality, you must hire skilled app developers from the top video streaming app development companies for bringing innovation and expertise to the development process. They can help in transforming your streaming app dream into a tangible reality.    

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

1. How Long Does it Take to Build an App Like Discovery+? 

The time to build an app like Discovery+ varies based on complexity, features, and development team efficiency. Typically, it may take 2-4 months to 6-8 months, considering design, development, testing, and deployment phases.  

 

2. What Are the Benefits of Creating an App Like Discovery+?

When you develop a mobile application like Discovery+, you must know its benefits.  . creating an app like discovery+ offers benefits like vast audience reach, subscription revenue, personalized content delivery, brand visibility, and data-driven insights. 

It caters to the growing demand for streaming services, enhancing user engagement and providing a competitive edge in the digital entertainment industry. 

 

3. How Much Does it Cost to Build an AI-powered App Like Discovery+? 

The cost of building an AI-powered app like Discovery+ varies based on factors like features, complexity, and development time. Generally, it can range from $15000-$30000, depending on the project’s specifics and the development team’s rates.  

 

4. What Are the Advanced Features to Build an App Like Discovery+? 

To build an app like Discovery+, focus on advanced features such as personalized content recommendations, AI-driven content discovery, multi-platform support, offline viewing, social sharing integration, live streaming, and interactive content elements. Prioritize a user-friendly interface and robust backend infrastructure for seamless performance. 

 

5. How to Make Money From Apps Like Discovery+? 

To monetize apps like Discovery+, implement subscription models for exclusive content, offer ad-supported versions, and explore partnerships for premium features. Utilize data analytics to enhance user experience and attract advertisers.