If you are passionate about Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+, etc., or you are an entrepreneur or startup with a wonderful movie streaming app idea in mind, in that case, this blog is for you to develop a movie streaming app. We have mentioned a complete guide on the Role of Movie Streaming Apps in Redefining Entertainment before discussing it with someone. So, hire a top movie streaming app development company and creating a wonderful streaming application.

Now the wait is over for watching a favorite movie or T.V. shows on fixed air time!

You can watch those any time at your convenience even you do not need to wait for the new ones. There are many movie streaming apps available that you can use to watch movies, web series, tv shows, documentaries, and live shows on your mobile device and T.V. device.

In addition to it here you need to look at these some amazing key facts –

• 62% of U.S. adults subscribe to streaming services.
• In USA 46% users pay US $10- US $20 per month.
• World vide revenue of VOD (video on demand) reached 61 billion USD, where the major portion is shared by U.S. only.
• The number of VOD users is 1.49 bn, and the number of OTT users is 2.13 billion.
• In 2019 most popular video streaming service platform was YouTube, with 163.75 million, and the second topmost platform was Netflix, 46.55 million.
• In 2020, Netflix became a top-notch subscription video-on-demand service platform with 201 million users worldwide.

Apart from the above facts, still some more facts are solid proof about the role of movie streaming apps in redefining entertainment industry solutions. The topmost advantage of these apps is that you can watch them anywhere, even while traveling or camping; the only conditions are internet coverage and device.

Features Of Movie Streaming Apps

Movie streaming platforms facilitate the video content creators and brands to connect with the customers lively where users enjoy the streaming content and brands meet their business goals. Video streaming is one of the verticals of the entertainment industry that is on the top right now. One of the businesses that raised due to the high demand for entertainment during the Covid-19 global lockdown was when theatres remained closed, and viewers got bored due to ongoing shows. As a result, the live movie streaming app development industry got the boom and growing exponentially.

If you are planning to launch your movie streaming app, then the following are the features that you must consider –

1. Embedding Video Content

It is a necessary feature for every video streaming app or platform. Your app must have video embedding features so the new videos for streaming can be added easily to it. While app or website or web app development, the developers need to take care of it.

2. Compatibility With Social Media Platform

Social media is one of the best tools for brand promotion that works the same for promoting streaming services. If your app has the feature to post some promotional videos on social media platforms directly, it will help you reach a large base audience. It will also be worthy for your video & music streaming brand to maintain a long-lasting relationship with existing clients.

3. Streaming Quality

Almost all brands are focusing on streaming 4k resolution videos that refer to the Ultra-High Definition. The brands such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, DIRECTV & others are already providing this facility to the clients, so it would also be best for your app to stream videos, movies, and web series in full HD quality. Here video streaming app development experts will play a crucial role in developing your app with this feature.

4. Download Option

The download option helps the users to download the movies so they can watch in offline mode. You can refer to the YouTube downloading feature that allows the user to save videos offline on the app itself.

It has two advantages: it does not occupy the physical storage more, and it can’t be downloaded outside the app, so there is no piracy issue. It will be a potential feature of your app.

5. Efficient Content Delivery Network 

It is the most crucial thing for video or music streaming app development that it must be associated with an impactful content delivery network to cater to the demand of worldwide viewers. With the help of CDN, from a hundred to one million audiences/viewers can experience the steaming services. One of its advantages is that if there is any cyber threat to the streaming server, there will be no harm to the content.

6. White Labeling

Promotion of videos is different on platforms such as YouTube, but showing a third-party logo on the video on a customized movie streaming app will not put the right impression on the customer’s mind. There are technologies available to white label the videos on a requirement basis. For making a brand image, you can use it.

7. Live Streaming API

The live streaming APIs are great for improved content management as it allows the broadcasters to schedule the live movie streaming. The addition of live streaming to the exiting broadcast system is smooth, and it helps streamline the delivery of music and video content.

Tech Stack Required for Building Movie Streaming Apps

Among several factors that affect the success of an app, the tech stack is one of them. For developing any app, what programming language has been used focusing on which platform is much crucial. When it comes to living movie streaming app development, a solid tech stack is required to produce result-oriented solutions for redefining entertainment.

The following are the details that you might like to know-

• Programming Languages: Kotlin or Java for Android and Swift for iOS Platform.
• Database Management: MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Atlas-DB
• Cloud Platforms: Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, AWS, Microsoft Azure
• Analytics: Google Mobile App Analytics, Hadoop Analytics, Flurry Analytics, Localytics
• CDN Services: Cloud Flare, Amazon CloudFront, Open Connect
• Streaming Protocols: WebRTC, RTMP, Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming, Apple HTTP Live Streaming
• Media Formats: MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV, WMV, SWF & many more.
• Codecs: FFMpeg, XviD, H.264/AVC
• Geolocation: Google Maps API, MapKit(iOS)
• Messaging: Firebird, Twilio, SendBird

How To Build Movie Streaming Apps

For developing movie streaming apps, you need to focus on some specific steps, which are following-

1. The Niche

Before initiating the process of video streaming app development first crucial thing is niche. It would help if you decided that what content you want to stream through your app. You can choose niches such as entertainment, fitness, education, documentaries, etc. It also plays an important role in brand promotion. For example, Curiosity Stream is one of the media streaming apps that only stream documentaries. You can promote your app in social media groups similar to your niche

2. The Content Readiness

Content is more than anything else for attracting the users, so you can make available content in two ways: creating or publishing your video content or renting from the distributors, including licenses and copyrights. Both ways are fine; however, it would be best to research and filter the best & entertaining content related to your niche and provide it to the users. It will also be worthy for increasing the user base.

3. The Monetization Model 

The monetization model will help you that how your live movie streaming app will generate revenue. You can consider three models as Pay-Per-View, Advertising, and Subscription. All these models generate good revenue. The best example of PPV is YouTube movies on rent that allows users to watch the movies after paying some amount to watch the movies. The advertising model earns via displaying the ads of third-party firms while streaming the content or music. The subscription model earns via subscription fee where the user has to pay monthly or quarterly or annual subscription fee, for example- Netflix.

4. App Development Team

for building an app, comprehensive expertise is required, so you need experienced professionals who have developed & delivered multiple successful movie streaming apps. Hiring developers for in-house development may be a costly affair because first, you need to set up a separate office with facilities then the work will be started. Instead of doing this, if you hire an on-demand app development company, it will be cost-effective and time-effective for you. By going with this option, you do not need to invest in office setup and equipment. The company will deliver solutions at the decided time, including testing and other things.

If you are a startup and have limited resources, it will be best to outsource the project to the app development firm. It is such a flexible option. If you also have a question – What is the cost of movie streaming apps development? Then you should note that it will cost you between the US $20,000 – US $30,000 with basic features that include admin and user panel features. If you want to hire dedicated developers on an hourly basis, it will cost you around $150- $200 Per Hour. Although before hiring the developer or a company, you need to focus on some factors such as –

• Years of experience
• Portfolio
• Platform Specialty
• Tech Stack will be used for the development
• Movie Streaming Apps development process
• Testing
• MVP launch
• Beta Testing
• Support & Maintenance

If a shortlisted company by you fulfills all criteria, then it will be best for you to go ahead.

5. Selection of CDN

One of the most vital things required for movie streaming apps is CDN that stands for content delivery network. It helps the platform owners stream the audiovisual content for hundreds to one million viewers. Although it will cost you some dollars for uninterrupted and flawless content delivery, it will be such a great thing that, in turn, also ensures success in the video streaming business.

6. Finding Reliable Hosting

An efficient & reliable hosting service is the much-needed component for all types of movie streaming apps. Once your app is popular, the user base will increase, which requires smooth streaming services to provide an enriched watching experience to the customers.

The user limit will be increased up to a million from thousands, so it is your responsibility to choose the best media streaming hosting services and establish a strong server infra for it. One of the best examples is AamazonS3, which is ready to use a cloud solution for hosting. You can also take consultancy from a software development company that deals in developing live movie streaming apps.

7. Attractive & Responsive UI/UX 

What do you think that what makes Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other apps popular?

Several factors make these apps popular where one vital thing is their interactive user interface that increases users’ joy. Therefore, while developing movie streaming apps, it would be best to consider that its UI/UX must be attractive and responsive so the users will enjoy it while watching movies or their favorite shows. For example, it must have a full screen and minimize features to view the content as per the desired screen resolution.

8. Addition of Advanced Features

Almost all movie streaming apps have basic features, so your app will also have, but if you go the extra mile to add some advanced features, it will be like a cherry on the cake. The features you can consider such as –

• Multiple options for signing-up (social media/ e-mail id/ phone)
• App walkthrough so after signing up, user can have an idea that how to use the app
• Behavior tracking to make the user-specific personalized content available
• Network optimized for ensuring the uninterrupted watching and fast buffering
• Automatic recommendation of videos based on the past user history
• Real-time analytics for making business strategy
• Voice search option for fast searching
• Loyalty program to retain the customers by offering specialized deals.

 Top – 5 Movie Streaming Apps

Here are some brief details about the top-5 movie streaming apps that you can consider as a great reference for app development.

1. YouTube

YouTube is one of the top-notch media streaming apps that represent the freemium and pay-per-view model. It has 2 billion users worldwide and contains a solid video library where users can search about various topics such as education, healthcare, movies, documentaries. Even users cab search about DIY videos and also stream their live videos. There are more than 9000 content partners that exist that include major network broadcasters and studios.

2. Netflix 

Here comes the king of movie streaming apps that have 209 million users worldwide. Netflix has a large collection of movies and TV shows where some of the content is available as Netflix Originals that people like most to watch these multiple times. It is based on the subscription model.

3. Hulu

It is launched in 2007 and with having 41.6 million, gaining popularity day by day. Hulu has an excellent selection of TV series and comes with a robust cloud DVR option. It also has a dedicated section to stream documentaries based on real events and celebrities. It is also popular for streaming classic shows.

4. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video has 147 million users globally and aired multiple hit web shows and movies. It is popular due to entertaining original content and allows the viewers to watch 4K and HDR streaming. In addition, it allows you to rent or buy movies with ease as per your choice. It is owned by Amazon.com Inc., which is known as one of the top-most multinational technology companies.

5. Disney Plus

It has 94.9 million subscribers around the world, where users can find tons of Disney-owned content that they can watch as per their choice. It allows offline downloading and streams content with 4k resolution. There are several top-rated shows available on Disney+, and it is giving tough competition to the brands like Netflix and HULU.

Reasons That Make Movie Streaming Apps Popular

As per one of the surveys held in 2020, only 14% of users admit that they strongly recommend watching movies in a theater, where 36% of users show their strong interest in streaming. That puts the question that why movie streaming apps are getting popular day by day. If you also have the same question, then the following point refers to the answer about it.

1. Convenience

The movie streaming apps provides flexibility to the user about watching content. They can watch their favorite movie at any time, any place, even traveling or waiting for someone at the Caffe. Only they need to have an internet-enabled device.

2. Scalability

It directly refers to the pay for that you want to watch. There is no need to pay the fee for the whole content. You need to only pay for the shows or movies that you want to watch as per your interest.

3. Personalized Content

The movie or video streaming apps offer a recommendation based on the viewer’s history. When the users open the home screen, they get the links and thumbnails of movies and web series related to their interests.

4. No Geo- Boundaries

A user sitting at the north pole can watch the shows streaming at the south pole; there are no geographic boundaries that can bound you to watch movies from different parts of the world as most movie streaming apps have multilingual functionality.

5. Affordable

In terms of cost, it is much affordable to watch movies on streaming apps instead of paying hefty cable bills or purchasing the movies from the store. Furthermore, there is no need to go here and there, as via paying one of the multiple payment options, you can watch desired content at your location.    

Monetization Models, You Need to Consider for Movie Streaming Apps

Movie streaming is also one of the great segments of the entertainment industry that promises lots of earning options. So, the following are the monetization models that you can consider for your app-

• Freemium – This model allows the users to view some content free where premium content can be watched after purchasing the premium account. So, the user can take a decision accordingly. The Freemium model always has more retention than other models.
• In-App Advertising – In-App advertising model allows the third parties to advertise their brand before or in-between while movie streaming continues. While advertising via this model, the third-party firms have to pay an amount per the campaigning duration. YouTube is one of the best examples of it.
• Pay Per View – The Pay-Per-View model works like a theater for watching your favorite movie multiple times; you have to purchase the entry pass or ticket. Same as PPV, media streaming apps work like this and generate revenue.
• Subscription  – It is one of the top-most choices of users worldwide. Although they are paying for a monthly or yearly subscription, they can enjoy unlimited entertainment such as watching movies and web series that match their interest.

Conclusion

In 2020, the total revenue generated by video streaming app was $24.1 billion, projected to reach $42 billion in 2025. It is such a great thing that indicates great growth in the streaming business where movie and music streaming app development will be on the verge. So, there is no doubt to say that these apps have redefined the entertainment industry.

If you are also thinking about putting your step in the business of movie streaming apps, it will be a great opportunity for you as there are several hidden opportunities. Here you can hire an experienced mobile app development company for having an excellent app.