After COVID-19, there has been a huge spike in the number of OTT platforms across the globe. We take you through it all so that you have a better idea of what it takes for such an entertainment app development.

There are a lot of OTT app users in the world today, but out of this lot of people, a sizeable chunk is not aware of what an OTT app is all about. Despite the lack of awareness, Statista forecasts the OTT media revenue to go past $167 billion by 2025. It’s not too far-fetched to say that proper  can actually eliminate TV cable from their legacy of dominance.

OTT Apps- What Are They?

The full-form of OTT refers to Over The Top, where users get to stream different kinds of video content with an Internet connection right on their smart devices.

As far as the nature of this technology is concerned, there is no need for subscribing to any kind of cable subscription. Just with a downloaded app, users can watch their favorite movies and shows right at the same time.

Amazon Prime and Netflix are two of the most popular streaming platforms in the world today, that are being used on a regular basis.

There are a few types of OTT services that are available in the market which encompass this category as a whole-

•     Audio
•     Video
•     Messaging
•     VoIP

OTT App Features

Like the story with every mobile app, there are certain features that govern the soundness of a video OTT app. Here are some of such features that are worth a mention-

Login & Sign Up

Login and Sign Up is the most essential feature, where a user enters personal details that are used to further enhance the overall user experience. In the case of a video streaming app, this process will further lead to the creation of user profiles, enabling them to log into their profile from any device. All they would need to do is enter their registered credentials.

Search Feature

Search is a crucial part in evaluating the overall experience of users. Through this feature, users can search for different content that they are looking to watch. TV shows, movies, and other random video content can be accessed through the search feature.

Just entering a name in the search bar will be enough.

Content Beyond Boundaries

With more users consuming content on your OTT app, the more will be the chances of generating more revenue. For a larger user base, it is highly recommended to include content that is not limited to just one or two languages.

Great content in multiple languages is a big plus because it gives users a lot of language options to choose from. Also, the variety of content increases for users as well.

Watchlist

Having a watchlist is another integral feature that must surely be there for the users of an OTT app. The watchlist feature allows users to mark and select the content that they will watch later.

To ensure that this feature is frequently tapped upon, users can be notified at regular intervals to have a look at their app watchlist.

Payment Gateway

Subscribing to any OTT platform is the biggest revenue churn for service providers. Usually, there is the option to choose from monthly or yearly subscription plans for users. This is why putting up a secure payment gateway in place is an absolute must.

Ensure that your OTT app developers incorporate one in place.

Screencasting

Screencasting is a highly valuable feature, which enables the users to ‘cast’ their streaming content from mobile devices to other compatible devices like TVs and desktops.

Getting an OTT App Up & Running

For the purpose of getting a video streaming app developed, the first thing to decide will surely be the technology stack, which incorporates the selection of servers, security systems, and their related protocols.

Cost of Video Streaming App Development

There are a few important factors that you need to consider while making a cost estimate for your OTT app, which are-

•     the number of features that you wish to involve within your app.
•     the number of platforms your streaming app is going to be compatible with.
•     the physical location of the app development company you have hired.
•     the time needed to develop the app.
•     the experience of your development team.

In rough terms, the cost of developing an OTT app can range from US $25K to US $45K, which can further vary on the kind of requirements that you might have.
Parting Thoughts

We have tried to include the costs, must-have features, and also the factors that will regulate the development cost of an OTT mobile app. However, there are a number of other factors which are dynamic and will come to the fore only when the app begins to get developed.

Consagous Technologies is a leading OTT app development company, perfectly aware of the perfect balance that needs to be struck to come up with a technologically streaming app solution.

Remember those days when we used to wait for our favourite shows and movies to be shown on TV? Cable TV was something that held unimaginable levels of attraction, with immense happiness associated with its viewing experience.

Those blissful days of TV are now gone.

Stats from Cable Compare show that the cable TV industry is going to fall below 50% by the year 2023. Also, a stat on Tech Jury read that more than 39.3 million people cut down their cable TV connections in 2019.

These figures speak a lot about how the interest towards cable TV has been on its road to decline over time.

The present audience today comprises largely millennials, wishing to have everything as soon as possible. They no longer want to wait for movies and matches, preferring video streaming apps to consume their favourite content.

About On-Demand Video Streaming App

VOD (Video-on-demand) app is a system where users can access TV shows, movies, and web series that they wish to watch. The only things needed are good connectivity and a device to login with the app, and you are good to go.

Types of Video Streaming Apps

On-demand video streaming apps can be divided into two broad categories- live video streaming apps and on-demand video streaming apps.

* Live Video Streaming

The concept behind live video streaming is quite simple- a Content Delivery Network (CDN) transmits data continuously to multiple platforms and devices through multiple cameras that record a particular event as it happens.

Such apps provide users with a platform to access media through a cohesive interface, through connecting with a server.

* On-Demand Video Streaming

On-demand streaming apps are pretty simple to use and manage, as they can be accessed at any time. This happens because the media files of these apps get uploaded to the server before being made available to users, but only if the platform itself is using one.

Why Now is the Right Time to Invest in a Video Streaming App

According to Statista, a huge majority of consumers in the USA are paid members of one or the other streaming app. To add to it, the streaming video on demand market in the US is almost 40% of the global share, which is a huge number in every sense.

These stats will surely become more and more dominant in the favour of streaming apps in the coming years. Investing in a cutting-edge video streaming app is a decision that can prove to give you amazing returns in the time ahead.
Must-Have Features of Video Streaming Apps

1- Login through Social Media Platforms Among Others

A video streaming app should provide multiple options for supremely easy registration and sign-up process, and not a tedious process where all details have to be typed manually. Registering through social media platforms is a great bet, as it minimizes the effort required from the user, saving unnecessary bounces.

2- App Orientation

3- Adjustable Streaming Quality

If it’s a video streaming app, the audio and visual quality will obviously be the most crucial aspects for making the app successful. High-quality video with the needed bandwidth will definitely get more new users on board.

Video Streaming Apps- Development Costs

As far as the costs of developing a video streaming app go, setting up the required infrastructure for it can cost around $1100-$1200 per month. This figure includes a dedicated server as well as a Content Delivery Network.

The hosting costs will definitely shoot up as more and more users start using the app. Adding to the costs will be the development team, that will include a blend of designers, programmers, QA analysts, UI/UX designers, and more.

$5000 per specialist, along a timeline of about six months can be a feasible amount for a quality video streaming app.

While the prospect does seem a little expensive, you can hire a development company that’s perfectly experienced but operates from another geographical region.

With high growth in the viewership of video streaming apps, users get the privilege of logging in anytime they want to. As long as connectivity is good, there will be no problems in having a great experience at all.

The use of mobile apps has reached delightful new heights in the past few years. Figures from Build fire show that almost 69% of the comprehensive digital media comes through mobile applications. This statistic is just from the US, so you can totally understand what the global situation will show.

It’s important to understand that with apps being such a dominant force, every industry needs to accept this and formulate strategies accordingly. Entertainment app development was sure to follow suit amidst all the race to be in the mobile app market.

Entertainment Apps- What Are Those?

Remember those days when TVs and radio were the only means to stay updated and get entertained? Then came the cinema, which took us outdoors to have a good time. But, all of this has witnessed a sharp decline now, and the reason is the rise of live streaming entertainment apps.

Today, anything from social media platforms to gaming apps encompasses this term as a whole, with every app trying to deliver something interesting and unique.

Why Mobile Apps Are Integral To Media & Entertainment?

There are a lot of reasons why media and entertainment app development solutions have become absolutely essential to the continued success of media and entertainment.

Some of the biggest ones are right here-

-Delivering Better Brand Message

For any brand, it’s essential to stay visible to the masses. With mobile apps, reality shows, movies, and sitcoms can create genuine brand awareness about their release dates and other related details that can hook the users.

The more buzz around an entertainment brand, the better the visibility and viewership.

-Better Evaluation And Analysis of Data

Gone are the days when market research and trends took a long time to get figured out. Today, the in-built features account for complete analytics in real-time, making it effortless to track user preferences and trends, and work on the gathered data for a better experience.

Ever thought how Netflix shows you your preferred movies and shows? That’s that.

-Better Engagement Through Viral Content

Entertainment apps get accessed faster than the blink of an eye these days. Any kind of message can be conveyed with the exact intent if it is done creatively. This is where viral content has become a big trick of the trade.

As far as things are fun, users don’t hesitate to share content, which in turn, works for media and entertainment brands just perfectly.

Long story short, entertainment app development solutions have a lot to offer to the media and entertainment industry as a whole. While the initial motive of app development was to provide assistance in functional terms, that has drastically changed over time, where the entertainment quotient rules the roster now.

The writing is pretty much on the wall now- the media and entertainment industry has a lot to look forward to, with the promise of mobile apps definitely set to take things forward.

Beautifully.

If you are looking for truly professional entertainment app development, look no further than Consagous Technologies. Their experience is testimony in itself!