Sports fans today want more than just watching a game—they want a complete, interactive experience. They crave high-quality live streaming, real-time updates, social engagement, and seamless access to their favorite sports anytime, anywhere. That’s exactly why apps like Fubo are booming in the digital space. 

According to Statista, FuboTV now has over 1.99 million subscribers, proving that the demand for premium sports streaming services is at an all-time high. This presents a golden opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to launch an app like Fubo. 

Launching your own live sports video app is an ideal way to reach this growing audience, provide a unique experience with cool features, and make money.  

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to develop an app like Fubo, the key features to include, the cost of development, and the best monetization strategies to make your project a success. 

So, let’s begin! 

 

What is FuboTV?

Fubo is a live TV streaming app that mainly shows sports content, like live games, news channels, and entertainment channels. It lets you watch big sports leagues without cable.

The app has different subscription plans that include cloud DVR storage and viewing on multiple devices. It can be used on computer browsers, smart TVs, and phones.

Similar to SportSurge app development, Fubo has become a popular choice for sports fans who want to get rid of their cable TV because it is easy to use and streams in high definition.  

 

 

Future Predictions & Projections of Sports Streaming Industry

• If you look at the market size for sports online live video streaming, it was USD 27.93 billion in 2024. It is expected to hit USD 133.98 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 24.64% between 2024 and 2031.
• FuboTV, an internet TV streaming service, had more than 2 million paid subscribers around the world in the fourth quarter of 2024.

 

Source: Statista 

• In September 2024, 54% of people in the US who answered the poll said they watched NFL games on TV. At the same time, 32% of those who answered watched NBA hoops.

 

How Does FuboTV Work?

Users can watch their favorite games, live events, and entertainment programs on Fubo. Fubo makes watching sports like football, basketball, baseball, and foreign games easy by offering high-definition streaming, cloud DVR, and compatibility with multiple devices. In five easy steps, here’s how the on-demand sports streaming app similar to Fubo works:    

 

 

1. Sign Up & Choose a Plan

The first thing users do is download the Fubo app and choose a payment plan that works for them. Fubo has a variety of packages that include live sports, entertainment, and news stations.

 

2. Browse Live & On-Demand Content

Once logged in, users can explore live TV channels, sports events, and on-demand shows. The app provides an easy-to-navigate interface for quick access to preferred content.

 

3. Stream Live Matches & Events

Users can watch live games in HD if their internet link is stable. The live sports TV application like Fubo also has cloud DVR storage so you can record games to watch later.

 

4. Personalized Viewing Experience

Fubo suggests content based on what users like and lets them stream on multiple devices. In video streaming app development, real-time stats and multiple views make the game more interesting.

 

5. Enjoy Interactive Features

For a more immersive experience, users can chat with each other in real time, set alerts for future games, and enjoy betting features.

 

5 Steps To Develop a Live Sports Streaming App Like Fubo

Making a live sports streaming application like Fubo needs a structured method to make sure high-quality streaming, real-time updates, and a smooth user experience. As per the Android app development company, here are the steps you need to take to launch an app like Fubo with lots of features. 

 

 

1. Conduct Market Research

Before you start to launch a live sports streaming app like Fubo, you need to do a market analysis, look at FuboTV alternatives or clones, and find out what users want. Since Fubo is known for its sports-related content, picking a niche will help your OTT sports streaming app stand out. 

This could be covering more than one sport, showing only league games, or offering pay-per-view events. To stay out of trouble with the law, you should also look into broadcasting rights and licensing agreements for sports content.

 

How to develop your marketing research plan?  How to define the problem or opportunity?  Who are your competitors and perform SWOT analysis?

 

2. Choose the Right Monetization Model

Live sports streaming is a profitable business, but it is important to choose the right way to make money. So, before you build a sports streaming app, you can offer a subscription plan like Fubo, where people pay a monthly fee to access, or you can charge a fee per view for special matches. 

Besides, if you make an app like fubo, there are also freemium models, which give both free content with ads and premium content without ads, and advertisement-based streaming, in which free users watch ads.

 

What is the best way to monetize an app? Can I use multiple monetization methods in a single app?  Can I money a free sports streaming app?

 

3. Design a UI/UX

To launch an app like Fubo, you need to have a good UI/UX that makes it easy for users to move around. Easy sign-up, personalized suggestions, multi-screen watching, and interactive elements are just a few of the features that keep users interested. 

With VOD app development, users can stay linked even when they are not streaming by seeing real-time score updates, game highlights, and match schedules. To make sure the experience is smooth on all platforms, the UI should be made to work best on phones, smart TVs, and computer browsers.

 

How to design UI/UX for a FuboTV app? Can I Create a TV Channel app with simple UI?  Is wireframing necessary for live streaming app development?

 

 

4. Develop a Strong Backend

Now comes the main stage to launch an app like Fubo, which is backend development. To make sure your sports streaming app is stable, the OTT app development company uses a scalable cloud infrastructure and a Content Delivery Network. 

It can help to reduce buffering and deliver high-quality streaming without lags. You might also want to look into database management systems to safely store user preferences, subscription information, and streaming history in the Fubo clone app.  

 

How can I ensure the security of my backend system? How do cloud services improve backend infrastructure reliability? Do I first need to build an MVP version?

 

5. Test and Launch the App

Lastly, the testers test the app for speed, security, and user experience before launching it on the market. Real people should be used in beta testing to get feedback and fix any bugs. Once the live Sports TV application like Fubo is live, keep an eye on the data to see how engaged users are. 

Also, improve how well streaming works and add new features based on what customers say. In the growing business of sports streaming, regular maintenance and improvements will assist you stay ahead of the competition. 

 

How can I ensure a seamless streaming experience without buffering? What steps should I take to test live sports streaming quality?  How can I optimize the app for scalability as users grow?

 

8 Must-have MVP Features of An App Like Fubo

These are the basic features that you have to add to your MVP for a live sports streaming app development. So, if you are thinking to create an app like fubo, add these features that will help people and your business:

 

 

• Live Sports Streaming

Streaming sports events in real-time without any breaks should be the main feature of your live Sports TV application like Fubo. Buffering is kept to a minimum, and video quality is high definition. The video quality changes depending on the internet speed, making the experience smooth to start an online TV channel. 

 

• Multi-Device Compatibility

Users should be able to get to the Fubo TV Android app on their phones, tablets, smart TVs, and web browsers. This Fubo clone app development makes it easy for them to watch their favorite games whenever and wherever they want, which keeps them using the fubo smart tv app and keeps them interested.

 

• On-Demand Sports Content

On-demand content, like highlights, replays, and old games, makes sure users never miss a game since not everyone can watch matches live. So, create an app like fubo with this function integration that appeals to people who like to watch when it is convenient for them. 

 

• User Authentication & Profiles

The app is safe and easy to use because it has a secure login system that lets you sign in with your email address, phone number, or social media account. Users can save their best teams and matches and watch history in personalized profiles, which makes the fubo tv app more fun to use.

 

• Subscription Plans & Payment Integration

You can offer flexible subscription rates like pay-per-view, monthly, or yearly to make money from the live sports broadcasting app. People can easily join with safe payment gateway methods like PayPal, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets. You can get more people to use a freemium model, which offers free content with paid premium features.

 

• DVR & Cloud Storage

Users love that they can record and save live games to watch later. They can stop, rewind, or watch games again with cloud-based DVR storage in your Fubo live sports streaming app development solution, which makes the experience easier.

 

• Multi-Language Support

To reach more people around the world, you must offer language choices for different areas. The Android TV app development company lets users globally to use the fubo tv app for Android and iOS, which increases user interaction and subscriptions.  

 

• Push Notifications & Alerts

If you build an app like fubo, it keep users interested by sending them quick alerts about live matches, score updates, or exclusive content. Users can set their own alerts so they never miss a game and can keep track of their favorite teams. 

 

6 Nice-to-have Features of Fubo Clone App Development

Once your MVP is live and users like it, you can add more features to your fubo tv app development to make the experience better and keep users interested. These high-tech features will help your live sports application like Fubo stand out from others in the same category and bring in more money when you build an app like fubo. 

 

 

• Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

With this function, users can watch games while using other similar apps like Fubo or surfing the web. The flying mini-player makes sure they do not miss any action while they are doing something else.

 

• Interactive Live Chat & Community Forums

By adding live chat, fans can talk about the game while they are watching it. The live sports TV application like Fubo is more fun to use when there are community areas for talking, making predictions, and getting fans involved. 

 

• Voice Search & AI-Powered Commentary

Voice search makes it easy for users to quickly find games, teams, or leagues. An entertainment app development company will add voice-overs driven by AI and real-time stats analysis that can make sports more interesting for fans.

 

• Multiple Camera Angles & 4K Streaming

Users love having power over what they watch in sports streaming app development. Giving them the choice of switching between camera angles makes them more interested. High-end sports fans will be interested in 4K Ultra HD viewing so add this when you launch an app like Fubo. 

 

• Offline Viewing Mode

Users can download matches and watch them when they do not have internet access. This is great for people who are traveling or in places with slow internet. This feature makes things more flexible and makes users happier when you build a live streaming app. 

 

• Multi-User & Family Accounts

Allow multiple profiles under a single account so that family members or friends can customize their content and settings while still using the same subscription.

 

 

5 Best Sports Streaming Apps like FuboTV

Now, when you develop an app like Fubo, you must acknowledge similar apps like Fubo. So, we have listed down the top sports streaming apps like Fubo or, you can say, the best Fubo alternatives.  

 

 

Best Fubo TV Alternatives	Available Platform	Downloads	Ratings
ESPN	Android | iOS	50M+	3.9
YuppTV	Android | iOS	10M+	3.5
DAZN	Android | iOS	50M+	1.9
Flashscore	Android | iOS	50M+	4.7
Eurosport	Android | iOS	10M+	4.2

 

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Sports Streaming App Like Fubo?

The cost to launch a live sports streaming app like Fubo ranges between $10000 – $25000. However, the cost to build a video streaming app mentioned above is not an actual cost. The actual Fubo app development cost depends on your project requirements. 

Besides, app complexity and size, features and design, platform choice, etc. can majorly affect the total cost to develop an app like Fubo. Let’s have a look at the below table of cost to launch an app like Fubo. 

 

App Complexity	Costs Estimation
Simple Fubo Like App	$10000 – $15000
Medium Fubo Like App	$15000 – $20000
Complex Fubo Like App	$25000+

 

Now that you know the basic cost to build a live sports streaming app like Fubo. It is the best time to consult with a mobile app development company who can provide an actual Fubo app development cost estimation. With the right features, you can create a standout sports streaming service that keeps users engaged.  

 

How To Monetize Live Sports Streaming App Like Fubo?

To launch a live sports streaming app like Fubo is fun, but making money off of it is the real challenge. To get the best ROI, you need a solid monetization plan. As per the iPhone app development services provider, here are some good ways to make money off of your Fubo clone app solution.  

 

 

1. Subscription-Based Model

With a subscription model, users pay a fee every month or every year to view premium content. This live sports TV application like Fubo, shows steady income and creates a group of loyal customers. 

 

For Example:    

FuboTV has different membership plans that start at $74.99 a month and give you access to live sports, entertainment, and news. In the same way, over 25 million people pay $9.99 a month to subscribe to ESPN+ and get access to exclusive sports content. 

 

Why It Works:

• Predictable revenue stream 
• Encourages long-term customer retention
• More affordable than cable TV, attracting sports fans

 

2. Pay-Per-View Model

Members of PPV can pay for individual games or events instead of full membership in a streaming service like Fubotv. You can provide high-profile games, championships, and other private sports events in your on-demand app development solutions, which is perfect for this model.

 

For Example:   

People in the U.S. pay $79.99 per event to watch UFC’s big fights on pay-per-view (PPV). Over 500,000 people bought PPV tickets to UFC 284 in 2023, which brought in millions of dollars.

 

Why It Works:

• Attracts casual viewers who don’t want a full subscription
• Generates high revenue from major sporting events
• Ideal for one-time events like boxing, wrestling, and MMA

 

3. In-App Advertisement Model

One of the main ways that video applications like Fubo make money is through ads. You can show banner ads, video ads, and sponsored content, along with targeted ads, before or during live events in sports streaming app development.

 

For Example:

Advertising is a big part of how YouTube TV makes money. Over $31.51 billion was made from ads on YouTube in 2024, with a lot of that money coming from moving videos. 

 

Why It Works:

• Free users watch ads, increasing ad revenue
• Brands pay more for targeted sports ads
• More engagement leads to higher ad conversion rates

 

3. Sponsorships & Partnerships

You can make more money from your live sports streaming app development solution by working with sports teams, groups, or brands. Brands can pay to put on live shows, halftime shows, or even content that is only available in similar apps like fubo.

 

For Example:

Amazon Prime Video signed a $1 billion-a-year deal with the NFL to watch Thursday Night Football exclusively. In the same way, DAZN teamed up with La Liga to grow its business of watching sports.  

 

Why It Works:

• Increases brand credibility and reach
• Creates opportunities for cross-promotions
• Boosts app revenue through big sponsorship deals

 

4. Freemium Model

With this model, you can get free content with limited access, but you have to pay a one-time or recurring fee to get access to premium features. People can try out the applications like fubo for free before they decide to pay for more features.

 

For Example:

Hotstar works the same way. It gives away some sports content for free, but you have to pay to watch premium matches like the IPL. This plan helped Hotstar get 61 million users by 2022. 

 

Why It Works:

• Increases user acquisition by offering free content
• Converts free users into paid subscribers over time 
• Drives ad revenue from free users while keeping premium content exclusive

 

 

Ready To Launch An App Like FuboTV?

Since more and more people want to watch live sports, now is a good time to launch an app like Fubo. Businesses can make a lot of money with the growing popularity of viewing options. It can be done on the go and the global reach that streaming platforms provide.       

However, keep in mind that hiring a live streaming app development company is more than just designing and writing code. It is important to focus on live sports streaming app development solutions that bring in people, make them more interested in sports, and keep them involved with real-time alerts and updates.   

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q1. How Long Does It Take To Build a Live Sports Streaming App Like Fubo? 

The estimated time of Fubo app development can be between 2 – 8 months. But it keeps on changing with different factors like app complexity, features, and so on. 

 

Q2. How Much Does It Cost To Make a Live Sports Streaming App Like Fubo?

The cost to create a live sports streaming app similar to Fubo can range between $10000 – $25000. However, the Fubo app development cost can vary depending on your project requirements. So, it is vital to consult with a Fubo app development company for an actual cost. 

 

Q3. How To Build a Sports Streaming App? 

To create a sports streaming application like Fubo, follow the below steps: 

• Make a business plan 
• Create a feature list 
• Design user interface 
• Develop an MVP 
• Test the app
• Launch the app

 

Q4. Is it Legal to Stream Live Sports Content on an App?

It is legal to stream sports videos, but you need to get broadcasting rights from sports leagues, federations, or TV networks. 

 

Q4. What Licenses and Permissions Are Required for Streaming Live Sports?

• Broadcasting rights from sports leagues
• Content distribution agreements with networks
• Licenses for music, trademarks, and branding
• Local and international streaming permits