Video Streaming App Development – Quick Guide

In this blog, we will learn the dynamics of streaming application development and its popularity in recent years. 

What is the idea behind streaming?

Streaming provides us with a comprehensive guide to media consumption:

just with a click of a button, your song or a movie gets played without delay. 

Do you remember the time when we used to wait endlessly for a movie to download? Or when it used to take the whole day for an album to load? But as the technology evolved, more and more platforms arose to give more access to better streaming application development. 

With different portals available for users to explore, the online platforms industry is booming to a different extent. 

The global video streaming software market size expects to grow from USD 6,144 million in 2020 to USD 15,092 million by 2025. Also, a compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.7% is seen during the forecast period.

But how does streaming work?

Streaming shows, events, and launches have become an ordinary activity amongst millennials for almost a decade. 

Shows on Netflix, Apple launches, national matches, everything has become accessible through the platform of live streaming. 

What does streaming mean?

Streaming focuses on sending and receiving data (mainly audio or video ) in a seamless flow over a network.

It also allows the user to have complete control over the functioning of the video. From playback to stop and the network sends the rest of the data accordingly. 

For instance, as soon as you begin a movie on your phone, the data gets transferred based on the internet connection you offer and its application.

As long as the phone has all the prerequisites available, the movie streams smoothly. 

Any time you’ve used music services ranging from

1. Music apps like Spotify or Apple Music, 
2. video players like YouTube or Netflix, 
3. some games and apps,
   you’ve used streaming in action.
   

To know what streaming is, how it works, and the ongoing trends, you need to know both sides of the story. 

For companies to offer content for streaming:

To access the content streamed online, a platform is required to bridge the gap between the user and the operator. The companies will need servers or cloud platforms to store the data. 

Online platforms like Netflix have a content delivery network that does most of the work.
It keeps the confidential content cached and close to where it is supposed to stream. 

Furthermore, it not only helps to reduce latency but also covers the maximum of the bandwidth costs. 

As a consumer, to view the streaming content:

As a customer, two things play an essential role in receiving the streaming content smoothly.
One a device like a phone, tv, or laptop on your end to receive the content.
The second will be reliable internet with sufficient speed.

The range of speed required is at least 2 Mbps (megabits per second) to generate a good streaming process.
While you stream content, the data passes through the buffer.
The buffer then stores the next few seconds or minutes that are in the queue. It can be either a song or a show.
On the other hand, if the speed isn’t up to the mark, the streaming process is bound to hamper.
There will be numerous pauses as the device will be busy working on the buffering.

What is the difference between cable and streaming?

Cable connections have been a part of everyone’s television history. From The time we used to manage networks manually for a better connection. Now we look for wifi to deliver the best resolution; the Streaming market has undoubtedly taken a huge turn. 

The difference between cable connections and streaming options can be calculated through a variety of options. 

1. Quality of channels offered: if we look at the number of channels cable connection provides, it is limited. You have to select the preferable channels beforehand to enjoy the cable service.
   Through your smartphone or smart tv, you can visit many channels with just a click in streaming.
2. Your subscription alone handles the channels and applications you can access:  Streaming comes with several benefits you won’t get from cable and satellite. Aside from AT&T TV, you’ll never have to commit to more than a month at a time with a live TV streaming service.
   Most also come with abundant DVR storage and streaming on a few different devices at once.

So while streaming services might not have as strong of a channel selection as traditional TV providers, there’s a good chance you’ll have a better experience overall. 

What are the types of streaming options available to users? 

The business of streaming is a huge platform—every brand offers its services uniquely and fascinatingly.

Hence the number of channels available for the user is increasing all the time.

To streamline the concept of streaming options available for a user, we have classified the topic into three broad dimensions:

1. Streaming video on demand 

Few of the most popular subscription-based providers of streaming video on-demand (SVOD) services are

• Netflix 
• Hulu. 
• HBO Now
• Sling Tv 

Subscription-based models like these live-streaming apps allow users to pay a monthly fee for access to various shows and series.
It’s easy to get started with an account. Mostly, you can log in to initiate a free trial and cancel whenever you wish to.
You can watch on any device ranging from a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Using a streaming application device will revolutionize your point of view.

Video-on-demand development can be pay-per-view or subscription-based. 

Netflix is an example of a subscription-based, and YouTube offers pay-per-view options. As “on-demand” implies, you watch shows and movies on your schedule. 

2. Live Streaming

Live streaming TV primarily focuses on watching content online in real time. 

Popular live content options include

• Concerts
• Sporting events
• Comedy specials
• Gaming events
• The news and local live coverage.

A few big banners under video streaming app development companies are YouTube Live, Sling TV, Acorn tv, etc.
Live video streaming frameworks are most often subscription-based and offer channels and DVR options, too. 

3. Free streaming services

If you’re opting for a completely free streaming service, there are a series of options laid in front of the users. 

Most of the free live streaming applications for Android or any other background are ad-supported video on demand (or AVOD).
AVOD means that you will have to bear some advertisements before, during, or after the movie or show you wish to watch.

Tubi is known to have the most extensive library of free content.
They are offering comedy, action, anime, horror, and family movies all under one roof. 

Tubi, as a streaming application development, might not have the latest releases or mainstream sitcom classics, but its entertainment quotient ranges from comic serials to period dramas. It can function as an ultimate way to cut the cords and experience a better view. 

As with all apps where you can go live and the streaming services, such services’ options come in plenty.
It just takes a bit of calculative research to find what you wish to watch.  

Which kind of content can be streamed online? 

In today’s media landscape, there is a massive variety of content that you can stream online. 

Not only can you avail music and videos at any given moment, increasingly, but there are also more adding to the list. Games, apps, events, and launches are also available on these streaming platforms.

Music and other audio streaming

Music and other audio have been a part of the traditional streaming activity done for decades. Listening to music, finding the desired version, and downloading it took a lot of time before. 

But through advanced audio streaming, podcasts and soundtracks are just one click away.

The arrival of Spotify, Saavn, Apple Music, and Pandora has uplifted the state of music streaming. With just a button, you can filter a million songs without waiting for the file to download. 

Furthermore, the process is easy and doesn’t invite harmful viruses and scams to enter your computer along with the file.
The feature of Podcasts available also lessens the burden to a great extent. One can either stream or download the track later.

These tracks are available through platforms like iTunes and Stitcher. You can also opt for st audio files you own to other devices and stream them within your home.

Live events 

Latest Live streaming apps have become one of the most popular services among the millennial generation, from games to gadget launches. A classic example of this is the Apple gadget launch. 

The company always hosts an extravagant show whenever a gadget is launched. To brief the users and promote their idea throughout the world, they live-stream the entire event. 

Through this, we, as viewers, can attend the launch and make sound and calculative decisions accordingly.
Another example will be the concerts or event shows held. Not everyone can attend all their favorite shows. 

Having an option of live streaming the entire show seems like an excellent way to go.

However, you may run into a dead-end in some situations if you try to stream your favorite content from abroad.
Many sites have the feature of “location-locked.” It means that the content is constricted to a particular area only. 

If you’re traveling abroad and wish to watch your favorite show from home, you can do so. All you have to do is have access to a VPN (a virtual private network).

Games and applications

Game streaming, or cloud gaming, works similarly to audio and video streaming.

It saves space and processing demands on your devices by offloading them to a company’s gaming server — all you have to do is connect wirelessly. 

When your game functions in this way, you’re essentially sending commands over to a more powerful computer. That device uses them and broadcasts the results directly to the device.
Recently internet speeds increased enough to make this process workable in real-time.

The advantages of streaming content online. 

Why should one care about internet streaming?

Simply put, convenient and has plenty of resources. 

• We get instant playback: Through the feature of streaming content, we get instant playback. Now, we don’t have to wait for the content to load. Streaming allows us to start hearing and viewing audio and videos immediately. 
• You can avoid high costs and piracy: Buying an exclusive CD or digital album of a band will cost you more than just streaming it online.
  People often resort to torrents and illegal downloading to escape the longer route.
  Streaming allows us to experience the best of both exclusivity and quality.
• Saving space: Streaming doesn’t require storage to keep your files. Everyone remains on one platform, available for all.
• Live content accessibility: Do you wish to attend live events but are unable to book a ticket? Live streaming solves your issue. In the comfort of your home, you can participate in the live match going around without spending a fortune for a ticket that doesn’t even assure you quality.
• Access shows from abroad: Are you traveling but still want to watch your favorite TV shows from back home? This problem can be solved.
  Once you know a VPN’s features, you can stream your desired content from anywhere across the globe. 

What is a video streaming service?

A video streaming application development contains an on-demand online entertainment source for TV shows, movies, and other streaming media.

Throughout this streaming application development, we have seen multiple dimensions created—each level better than before. 

With these services, we are offered an alternative to cable and satellite on-demand services. At a comparatively lower cost, it not only proves beneficial but is a quality service as well. The use of streaming services usually requires either a per-view or subscription.

And the videos and audios come directly from a cloud-based resource.

Therefore the availability of the content service varies according to the price. Apart from the price, the locality or region also plays a significant role. 

Here is a list of the top 5 streaming services to binge-watch: 

If you are new to the world of video streaming application development, the list below is for you. Make a well-researched decision to opt for a streaming service; you need to know a couple of things. Like, such the popularity, availability, cost, and so on. 

So here is a list to guide your way through the landscape of modern video streaming application development: 

HBO 

HBO Now is appropriate for users who are looking for ways to avoid cable tv and cords. The service provider offers a range of benefits. They are scaling from greater TV, Films, specials, documentaries, and podcasts. 

It also allows you to pay only for those channels that you watch.No no need to pay up for channels you never watch but had to buy as a package. 

Through the HBO Go application, you are also allowed to watch your favorite shows on any device. From tablets to phones, HBO works everywhere. With a subscription of $15 a month, you can access this service on 

• Amazon Fire TV, 
• Apple TV, 
• Chromecast,
•  Microsoft Xbox,
•  Roku,
•  Samsung TVs
• PlayStation Vue.

Netflix

Loaded with a vast library of tv shows, movies, documentaries, and interviews, Netflix has become a hero among all generations.

From shows like “Friends” to movies like “Godzilla 1998”, this site has everything you asked for. 

The quality isn’t even a question when it comes to Netflix. On the other hand, the audience is flexible, from kids watching their favorite cartoons to adults binge-watching the latest show exclusively. 

 If we talk about the pricing, it varies from screen to screen. It goes on as, 

• $8 per month for standard-definition video for a single screen space; 
• $11 a month for high-definition video; for two individual screens
• $14 a month for 4K Ultra High Definition video on up to four screens;

Sling TV 

Sling TV has a different build. It provides channels instead of individual shows, movies, and documentaries. 

Here the streaming application development works based on packages. 

For example

• Orange packages have about 30 cable offerings. These include A&E, the Food Network, and TBS. 
• Blue packages may offer FOx and NCB as well.

Rest, you can also add more channels to add to your premium package.

Hence the price regulates according to the container you opt for. 

• Sling Orange costs $20 per month; 
• Sling Blue costs $25 per month; 
• A combined package costs $40 per month;
• Add-on packs cost $5 to $10 extra per month;

Amazon Prime

Amazon offers around 40,000 live-streaming titles, but only a limited number can be found in Prime streaming applications. 

It also allows users to download and play videos offline. 

So if you wish to catch up on some show and have some free time to spare for the same, you are good to go. 

Simply download your favorite episode and view it anywhere. On tablet or phone, whichever is accessible.

About the price, it takes 

• $119 per year or $13 per month; 
• A video-only subscription costs $9 per month.

Acorn TV

If you are one of those who love binge-watching British TV shows, then Acorn is the right destination for you. Acorn Tv entails a gamut of British shows, feature films, documentaries, and exclusive content for you.

Each Monday, an episode aired of your current Tv show, so the episode is added to the database. One has the flexibility to surf, view, like, and find any season one wishes for. 

You can browse through the archive and find past seasons of viewer favorites like Poldark, Doc Martin, and Midsomer Murders.

You can access Acorn TV on all types of devices. Including laptops, desktops, and tablets with browsers, iPhone, Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV.

It is available in the U.S. and Canada also. 

Whereas the price ranges from 

• $4.99 per month
•  $49.99 per year.

How to make a video streaming app?

Ever wondered if you could also create your streaming app ? or how to be a part of the video streaming apps race? 

Below is a complete video streaming app guide where you can form a standing of your own in the video streaming application development process. 

Let’s begin:

Step 1: Find your niche

The primary objective is to choose what kind of content your app will stream to the audience. While going through various business models and successful live-streaming apps, we have a few focus points.

The types you can choose from :

1. Entertainment. Through such entertainment streaming apps like Netflix and HBO, the possibilities are endless. In this video streaming application development, we see a new service provider claiming to make our work easier.
   These services are highly profitable. Furthermore, the audience is big enough to accommodate a new streaming provider.
2. Fitness. Among various services in video streaming application development, fitness is one such niche to follow. People love staying fit and creating routines that follow their daily schedule.
   The users don’t think twice before paying a subscription fee for an on-demand fitness streaming application development.
   Moreover, you can add various features like yoga, Zumba, and a healthy diet to increase your reach and multiply your users.
3. Education. If we look at the trend nowadays, people are more inclined to “how-to” videos than read long content on descriptions and ways.
   Other than that, creating a live chat streaming app to increase communication. In the case of a school that wants better connectivity with their student, you can create an educational live-streaming app for mobiles or tablets. Whatever deems necessary.
   Creating a platform specifically for educational matters will prove a lot more beneficial in the long term.

In addition to this, you can choose from many sub-niches, like magic tricks, cake making, or even origami, to attract a specific audience.

Step 2: Choose your content availability:

Since the content is the central core of your on-demand streaming service, one needs to fixate on the content. 

• Would you use videos from other distributors? 
• Or would you want to build a live-streaming app?

If you opt for video distributors, you need to get a license for public performance.

There are two primary ways to deal:

1. Renting a movie from an authorized distributor who has the required license
2. Contacting the copyright holder

Step 3: Choose the monetization model. 

To create your on-demand video service, you have to follow specific methods of video streaming application development.

Pay-Per-View 

The most known and tested pricing scheme is Pay-per-view. 

Here, the customer pays for every video they watch. You can opt for this model if you deem to develop a platform for the following reasons.
Broadcast live streaming features, trade shows, sports events, or conferences.

Advertising. 

Another powerful monetization key is advertising. You can charge other companies for using your platform to play their advertisements.
Much like a promotional activity. Like, guest posts. Still, this monetization strategy would indeed work if your platform becomes famous among users. 

Subscription.

As you remember, Netflix is running on the same factors monetization plan. Besides, these subscription models function by a third of professional broadcasters.
Subscribers are usually charged a monthly fee to receive access to an unlimited content library.
You can use this monetization technique if you will regularly release new content on your streaming app. 

Step 4: Study the video streaming app’s requirement

For your streaming application development, you need to see the corresponding factors as well. 

1. Internet speed
2. Cloud hosting and computing architecture
3. Network connectivity 
4. Security 
5. Payment gateway
6. Subscription logs

Step 5: Create an On-demand MVP model.

The last part of our step toward your streaming application development is the creation stage.

Your primary focus remains on functional requirements throughout this stage—set timelines, design, accessibility, user friendly, etc. 

Pay attention to the proposed platform design. It should be seamless, glitch-free, and user-friendly at all costs.

Through an MVP model, you make sure your streaming application development is at its basic level. With minimalist features and accessible settings, the MVP model ensures there’s no hassle, to begin with. 

Therefore, easy navigation and surfing through different genres become easy for the audience as well. 

What is the theory behind live streaming?

You must know how to make a live video and how to record and present it accurately. But have you ever come across the idea of streaming it? 

Let’s know what the hype is around live streaming and how it affects streaming application development. 

Live streaming is when the streaming video is sent over the Internet in real-time without being recorded and stored. 

Today, TV broadcasts, video game streams, and social media videos, events, sports games can all be live-streamed.

Live streaming usually refers to broadcast live streams: one-to-many connections that go out to multiple users at one go.

Videoconferencing technologies like 

• Skype, 
• FaceTime,
• Google 
• Hangouts
•  Meet

Apply the real-time communication (RTC) protocols rather than the protocols used by one-to-many live stream broadcasts.

These days, questions like “How to make a live streaming app” or What is live streaming application development” have become prevalent. 

This generation’s users believe in global reach and opt for methods like this to promote their content online.

What is a live-streaming app?

So, apps like Periscope, twitch, etc., provide a platform for users to go online and broadcast their content live. Unedited and unfiltered content. 

This happens through a secure platform that is trusted by many. Here the content supports the idea of one to many. 

What are the types of live-streaming application development in the market?

There is a range of different live streaming apps embedded in the streaming application development. 

Here, Some live streams can be private.

For example:

Few video conferencing platforms like google meet or Skype use live streaming technology to allow the users to talk to the designated person you invited.

To make sure they stay private, these iOS or Android video streaming apps are password-protected. And the users are advised not to share the passwords. 

Some live streams are public and might be watched by hundreds or even thousands of people.

If you have questions like “What apps I can go live on ?” or “Watch football live online free of charge forever.”

Want to know what the latest live-streaming apps in the market are?

Here’s a list for you

Periscope

Periscope is an American live-streaming application for Android and iOS developed by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein.
Twitter acquired it before its launch in 2015. Apps like Periscope 2020 provide a vast range of options to choose from. 

The users need to make full use of the services such live-streaming apps offer.
It is among the best app for live video streaming.
Even though audiences’ service struggles after Facebook and other players launched their live-streaming features, it’s still quite popular in the US.

Twitch

As a developer, did you ever wonder, “How to make a website like Twitch,” or why are they so popular?

Here’s your answer.

This live-streaming app is known to be the home of shared live experiences.
Developers usually impact how streamers and viewers experience games, pop culture, and conversations accordingly. 

With 2,000,000 plus streamers, 25,897 channels, and 10,000,000 active users, twitch seems to be one of the best live-streaming apps on the market.

Facebook/Youtube live streaming.

A recent addition to the live streaming application development is Facebook and youtube live streaming. With the increasing popularity of Facebook and Youtube, the features keep upgrading the users’ needs and requirements. 

Hosting game shows and running live game streaming on apps and other such platforms increased users’ engagement on a better level. 

As more and more people engage their time on youtube and Facebook, the audience reach is also increasing. With easy accessibility and a better user interface, even a beginner feels comfortable on this platform. 

Why choose Idea Usher for your streaming application development?

Creating a wholesome video streaming platform while keeping in mind the streaming application development and the trends might become a little tiresome. Handling the UI/UX, creating live-streaming apps for Android, and choosing the best technology for live streaming can be an overwhelming process.

Making sure your idea reaches the desired customers without any hassle is why Idea Usher is here. 

We provide a quality service in leading your concept to fruition. Turn your vision into a reality through the economical and suitable packages we have for you. 

And fuel up your dream of creating a niche among the best live-streaming applications in the market. 

Conclusion 

In the race for streaming application development, a lot of factors constitute a successful app. Accessibility, how up-to-date these apps are, and how you can promote them. 

The market seems to be increasing and sees no stops as such in its success rate.
With more and more audiences subscribing to these live-streaming services, the door for opportunities also opens.

If you have an idea and want to know how to create a live video streaming API Android or wish to make the best live streaming chat apps, why don’t you try your hand in this market?

In a pool full of opportunities where you can cover almost everything;
Why leave such a fantastic platform where you can uncover your hidden talents?

To know more, visit Idea Usher and contact us.