Key Takeaways

• A successful NOW-like platform requires content management, streaming infrastructure, subscriptions, security, analytics and multi-device support.
• UK market research should come before development so your platform solves a clear audience problem instead of becoming another generic streaming service.
• Core features include VOD, live TV, sports streaming, profiles, recommendations, subscriptions, downloads, parental controls and secure playback.
• Video encoding, transcoding, adaptive bitrate streaming, CDN integration and cloud infrastructure determine how reliably your platform delivers content at scale.
• A basic MVP may cost £25,000–£40,000, while a feature-rich NOW-like platform can exceed £120,000.
• GDPR, data protection, DRM, payment security and ongoing infrastructure monitoring should be incorporated into the platform from the beginning.

The UK streaming market has become more competitive, but viewers are no longer looking for just another catalogue of movies and TV shows. They expect flexible subscriptions, live channels, personalised recommendations, high-quality playback, multiple profiles, offline access and seamless viewing across devices. According to Fortune Business Insights the video streaming market is projected to grow from $20.13 billion in 2026 to $69.09 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 16.67%.

NOW is a strong example of this approach. The platform combines Entertainment, Cinema and Sports memberships with live and on-demand programming. It also supports profiles, personalised recommendations, downloads, parental controls, live pause and rewind, subtitles, and HD or UHD viewing through applicable upgrades.

For businesses, this creates an opportunity to develop a specialised OTT product rather than simply copying an existing interface. A successful video streaming app like NOW needs a reliable media pipeline, scalable cloud infrastructure, subscription management, content protection, analytics and a user experience designed around discovery and retention.

So, how do you build a video streaming app like NOW for the UK market?

This guide explains the development process, features, technology stack, architecture, development cost, monetisation options, security requirements and ongoing expenses involved in building a NOW-like streaming platform.

What Is NOW and How Does Its Streaming Model Work?

NOW is a streaming service that gives customers access to movies, television shows and sports through different membership options. Users can select a membership according to their preferred content and access programming through compatible connected devices.

NOW currently offers Entertainment, Entertainment & HBO Max, Cinema and Sports memberships. Depending on the membership, users can access on-demand programming and live channels.

Its product model combines several capabilities that are useful when planning an app like NOW:

• Subscription-based content access
• Live television channels
• Video-on-demand (VOD)
• Sports streaming
• Personalised recommendations
• Multiple user profiles
• Watchlist and Continue Watching
• Offline downloads
• Parental controls
• Subtitles and accessibility features
• Live pause and rewind on supported content
• HD and UHD streaming options
• Multi-device access

NOW currently supports profiles with individual recommendations, maturity settings, PINs and autoplay preferences.

Its combination of live content, VOD, flexible memberships and multi-device access explains why businesses researching a NOW like app should think about the complete product ecosystem rather than only the mobile interface.

Why Build a Video Streaming App Like NOW in the UK?

The UK remains a mature and highly competitive media market. However, the opportunity is changing from simple subscriber acquisition toward differentiation, profitability, content positioning and user experience.

Ofcom’s 2026 Media Nations report states that the UK commercial TV and online video market exceeded £18 billion in 2025. It also reports that broadcaster content continues to account for the majority of video watched in UK homes, while streaming and video-sharing platforms continue to rise in importance.

This means a new platform does not necessarily need to compete directly with every major streaming service.

Instead, businesses can create specialised services such as:

• A sports-focused streaming platform
• A regional UK video-on-demand platform
• A family entertainment service
• A niche movie platform
• A live events streaming application
• A creator-focused subscription service
• A specialist documentary platform
• A hybrid entertainment and sports service

There is also evidence that the UK SVoD market has entered a more mature phase. Ofcom’s recent reporting highlights relatively stable household take-up of subscription video-on-demand, making differentiation and monetisation increasingly important.

Therefore, an effective NOW app alternative should focus on a clearly defined audience, compelling content strategy and a user experience that solves a specific problem better than existing services.

How Does a NOW-Like Video Streaming App Work?

Before you develop a video streaming app like NOW, it is important to understand what happens behind the application interface.

A typical streaming workflow looks like:

Content Acquisition → Content Management → Encoding → Transcoding → Cloud Storage → CDN → Authentication → Subscription Verification → Playback → Analytics

1. Content acquisition

Content is obtained from licensed providers, production partners, creators or other approved sources.

Metadata such as titles, descriptions, categories, genres, cast information, artwork, subtitles and age ratings is then added to the platform.

2. Video processing

Original media files are converted into streaming-ready formats.

This involves video encoding and video transcoding to produce multiple resolutions and bitrate levels.

3. Cloud storage

Processed media can be stored using scalable cloud storage rather than relying on conventional application servers.

4. CDN delivery

A content delivery network distributes video segments through geographically distributed servers, helping reduce latency and improve playback performance.

5. Authentication and entitlement

When a viewer selects content, the backend checks their account, subscription, device and access permissions.

6. Playback

The application requests the appropriate video stream and adjusts quality according to device capability and network conditions.

7. Analytics

Viewing activity, playback performance and content interactions can provide insights that improve recommendations, merchandising and business decisions.

This entire ecosystem forms the foundation of a video-on-demand platform and becomes even more complex when live channels and sports events are introduced.

7-Step Process to Build a Video Streaming App Like NOW

A successful streaming product should be developed through a structured process. Trying to build every feature at once can increase costs, delay launch and make it harder to determine what viewers actually value.

Step 1: Research the UK Streaming Market and Audience

Start by identifying your target viewers and studying their existing streaming behaviour.

Research:

• Competitor platforms
• Subscription prices
• Content preferences
• Device usage
• Viewing habits
• Popular genres
• Live streaming expectations
• Customer complaints
• Existing market gaps

You should also examine direct and indirect competitors, including subscription services, broadcaster VOD platforms and specialist streaming products.

The objective is to identify an opportunity rather than simply create another similar app like NOW.

Ask:

Why would someone choose this platform instead of NOW, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ or a broadcaster’s streaming service?

Your answer should become the foundation of your product strategy.

Step 2: Define Your Content and Monetisation Strategy

Content rights can influence the entire technical and commercial structure of a streaming platform.

Determine whether your service will offer:

• Licensed movies
• TV shows
• Original content
• Live television
• Sports events
• Creator content
• Free programming
• Premium programming

Then decide how users will pay.

Possible models include:

• Subscription
• Advertising
• Pay-per-view
• Transactional purchases
• Freemium
• Premium add-ons
• Hybrid monetisation

A subscription streaming app can use different tiers based on content access, streaming quality, number of screens or premium features.

You should also establish geographic rights before development because content may have different availability requirements by territory.

Step 3: Plan the MVP and Feature Roadmap

You do not need to launch a complete NOW clone app on day one.

A focused MVP could include:

• Registration and login
• User profiles
• Content catalogue
• Search
• VOD playback
• Subscription management
• Payment integration
• Watchlist
• Continue Watching
• Basic recommendations
• Admin dashboard
• Analytics

Advanced capabilities can then be introduced in later releases.

A clear mobile app development roadmap for UK Entrepreneurs can help align development milestones with business objectives and available investment.

Step 4: Design the User Experience

Streaming applications are heavily dependent on content discovery.

Users should be able to quickly find something relevant and start watching with minimal friction.

Design key screens such as:

• Home
• Search
• Categories
• Content details
• Video player
• Watchlist
• Downloads
• Profiles
• Subscription
• Account settings

The interface should also be adapted to different devices.

A mobile application needs touch-friendly navigation, while a smart TV interface needs large controls and remote-friendly navigation.

Step 5: Develop the Backend and Streaming Infrastructure

The video streaming backend manages users, subscriptions, content metadata, viewing history, devices, recommendations and access permissions.

The media pipeline handles:

• Content ingestion
• Video encoding
• Video transcoding
• Packaging
• DRM
• Storage
• CDN delivery

A scalable backend should separate these responsibilities so that individual services can scale independently. This is where cloud-based streaming infrastructure can help. Cloud platforms can provide computing, databases, storage, monitoring and media-processing capabilities that scale according to demand.

Step 6: Integrate Payments, CDN, DRM and Analytics

Streaming applications depend on several external systems.

Common integrations include:

• Payment gateways
• Subscription billing
• CDN
• Cloud storage
• Video processing
• DRM
• Analytics
• Authentication
• Recommendation engines
• Push notifications
• Customer support

These integrations should be tested together because a problem in one layer can affect the entire viewing experience.

Step 7: Test, Launch and Continuously Optimise

Streaming requires extensive testing because playback performance can vary across devices and networks.

Test:

• Mobile networks
• Broadband connections
• Smart TVs
• Browsers
• Tablets
• Gaming consoles
• Different resolutions
• Different operating systems
• Concurrent users
• Peak traffic
• Interrupted connections
• Subscription changes
• Playback failures
• DRM scenarios

After launch, monitor buffering, playback failures, crashes, content engagement, subscription conversion and churn.

Continuous optimisation is essential because a platform may experience sudden traffic spikes when a major sports event, movie or exclusive series becomes popular.

Must-Have Features to Create a Video Streaming App Like NOW

If you create a video streaming app like NOW, the feature set should combine content discovery, playback, subscriptions, personalisation, security and administration.

1. Secure registration and authentication

Users should be able to register, sign in, reset passwords and securely manage their accounts.

OAuth 2.0, JWT authentication, multi-factor authentication and secure session management can be incorporated depending on the platform’s requirements.

2. Multiple user profiles

Profiles allow different household members to maintain separate preferences, watch histories and recommendations.

NOW currently supports up to six profiles, with individual avatars, names, maturity ratings, profile PINs and autoplay settings.

3. Personalised home screen

The homepage can display recently watched content, recommendations, trending titles, new releases and personalised collections.

4. Smart search and content discovery

Search should support titles, actors, genres, categories and other metadata.

More advanced platforms can later introduce natural-language and AI-powered search.

5. Video-on-demand (VOD)

A VOD catalogue can include:

• Movies
• TV shows
• Seasons
• Episodes
• Documentaries
• Kids’ content
• Sports replays
• Special collections

This capability forms the core of most modern streaming services.

6. Live TV streaming

A live TV streaming app needs additional infrastructure for scheduled channels, real-time delivery, electronic programme guides, live playback and potentially large simultaneous audiences.

NOW combines live channels with on-demand content across its memberships.

7. Sports streaming

A sports streaming app may require specialised capabilities such as:

• Event schedules
• Live scores
• Multiple concurrent streams
• Match replays
• Highlights
• Event reminders
• Real-time statistics

NOW’s current sports offering includes selected Sky Sports+ streams for eligible Sports Members, showing how a streaming service can extend beyond traditional linear sports channels.

8. Adaptive video playback

The player should dynamically select an appropriate video quality based on available bandwidth and device capabilities.

9. Watchlist and Continue Watching

Users should be able to save content and resume unfinished programmes.

NOW currently provides Watchlist and Continue Watching functionality.

10. Offline downloads

Selected movies, shows and sports content can be downloaded for offline viewing on supported devices.

NOW currently supports downloads on supported iOS and Android devices, subject to content and membership restrictions.

Technology Stack Required to Develop a Video Streaming App Like NOW

The technology stack should be selected according to your expected traffic, supported platforms, content strategy and scalability requirements.

1. Video encoding

Video encoding converts source media into formats suitable for different devices and streaming environments. A platform may create several quality levels so that viewers can receive appropriate versions depending on their connection and device.

2. Video transcoding

Video transcoding creates multiple resolutions and bitrates from the original source. For example, the same title may be prepared for mobile playback, Full HD television viewing and higher-resolution supported devices.

3. Adaptive bitrate streaming

Adaptive bitrate streaming allows the player to move between different quality levels during playback.

This helps reduce buffering when network conditions fluctuate.

4. HLS streaming

HLS streaming is widely used for delivering adaptive media and works across many modern devices and platforms.

5. MPEG-DASH

MPEG-DASH provides another adaptive streaming standard and can be incorporated according to browser, device and DRM requirements.

6. CDN integration

CDN integration distributes video content across edge locations. This reduces the distance between viewers and media servers, improving delivery performance and helping platforms manage high traffic.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Video Streaming App Like NOW?

The cost of developing a streaming application depends on its complexity, platforms, content strategy, infrastructure and integrations.

For a broader cost comparison, you can also review video streaming app development cost before defining the project’s financial scope.

Remember that development cost is only one part of the overall investment. Content licensing, cloud infrastructure, CDN usage, storage, encoding, DRM and ongoing maintenance can create substantial recurring expenses.

What Factors Affect the Cost of a NOW-Like App?

Several factors can change the development budget.

• Number of platforms: Building for Android and iOS is less complex than supporting mobile, web, smart TVs, consoles and streaming devices simultaneously.
• Streaming quality: HD, Full HD, 4K, HDR and advanced audio formats require additional processing and delivery capabilities.
• Live streaming: Live channels and sports events introduce additional infrastructure, monitoring and scalability requirements.
• Content protection: Premium licensed content may require DRM, encryption, entitlement systems and secure media delivery.
• Subscription complexity: Multiple plans, trials, promotional offers, upgrades, downgrades and recurring payments increase backend complexity.
• AI capabilities: Advanced recommendations, natural-language search and predictive analytics require additional data engineering and machine-learning resources.
• Integrations: Payment gateways, CDNs, DRM providers, analytics systems and customer support platforms all add implementation and maintenance requirements.
• Security: A production streaming service needs strong application, API, account and infrastructure security.
• Development team: Team location, expertise, project duration and engagement model all influence development costs.

Businesses can also compare these factors with broader ott app development cost considerations before choosing an implementation strategy.

Security and Compliance Requirements for a UK Streaming App

Security should be considered from the architecture stage rather than added after development.

A strong video streaming security strategy should protect:

• User accounts
• Personal data
• APIs
• Payments
• Content
• Devices
• Administrative systems
• Cloud infrastructure

1. UK GDPR compliance

A streaming platform may process account information, payment-related information, viewing history, device information and other personal data. A GDPR-compliant streaming platform should therefore implement appropriate privacy controls, data minimisation, retention policies, access controls and processes for applicable user rights.

2. Data protection

The platform should restrict access to personal information based on business requirements and user roles. Encryption should protect sensitive information both during transmission and where appropriate at rest.

3. OAuth 2.0 and JWT authentication

OAuth 2.0 can support secure authorisation flows, while JWT authentication can be used for API sessions where appropriate. Tokens should have appropriate expiration, validation and revocation mechanisms.

4. API security

API security should address risks such as:

• Unauthorised access
• Broken authentication
• Injection attacks
• Token abuse
• Excessive requests
• Insecure object access

Rate limiting, validation, logging, access control and monitoring should be incorporated based on the application’s risk profile.

4. OTT platform security

An OTT platform requires protection across both application and media layers.

This can include:

• HTTPS/TLS
• Encryption
• Secure APIs
• Access control
• DRM
• Signed URLs
• Tokenised media access
• Security monitoring
• Vulnerability testing

5. DRM and secure video streaming

Premium content requires more than ordinary user authentication. DRM can help prevent unauthorised use of protected video, while encrypted media, entitlement checks and signed access mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection.

6. PCI DSS compliance

If the platform processes payment information, the payment architecture should consider applicable PCI DSS compliance requirements. Using established payment processors can reduce the amount of sensitive payment information handled directly by the application.

7. CCPA compliance

If the platform expands into applicable US markets, CCPA compliance and other regional privacy requirements may become relevant. This demonstrates why compliance should be designed around the platform’s target markets rather than treated as a one-time development task.

How to Monetize a Video Streaming App Like NOW?

Choosing the right monetisation strategy is just as important as choosing the technology.

1. Subscription Video-on-Demand

Users pay a recurring fee to access a catalogue. This is particularly suitable for businesses building a premium subscription streaming app.

2. Advertising Video-on-Demand

Users receive free or lower-cost programming while advertising generates revenue.

3. Transactional Video-on-Demand

Users pay individually for specific movies, shows or events.

4. Pay-per-view

Pay-per-view can work well for premium sports, concerts and special events.

5. Freemium

A free tier can introduce users to the service, while premium features or content require payment.

6. Premium add-ons

Businesses can offer additional screens, higher video quality, premium channels or specialised content as paid upgrades.

7. Hybrid monetisation

Combining subscriptions, advertising and transactional purchases can provide greater flexibility.

The appropriate model depends on audience behaviour, content rights, acquisition costs and the type of content being offered.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Video Streaming App After Launch?

Launching the application does not end the investment. A streaming service has ongoing operating expenses, such as:

CDN and bandwidth costs can become particularly important as viewing hours increase.

A platform serving a large audience may therefore require continuous infrastructure optimisation even after the initial product has been launched.

How to Choose a Video Streaming App Development Company in the UK?

Choosing a development partner requires more than comparing hourly rates.

Look for experience in:

• OTT development
• Video streaming
• VOD platforms
• Live streaming
• Cloud infrastructure
• CDN integration
• DRM
• Subscription systems
• Payment integration
• API security
• Multi-device development
• Analytics
• Post-launch maintenance

Ask potential partners how they would manage traffic spikes, content protection, video processing, smart TV compatibility and disaster recovery. You should also examine relevant case studies and technical experience rather than evaluating a provider only on general mobile development capabilities.

An experienced video streaming app development company should be able to explain the entire media delivery ecosystem, not just design the user interface. You can also compare video streaming app development services based on platform requirements, architecture, development methodology, support and scalability.

For businesses exploring wider digital product opportunities, a mobile app development company in UK can also help determine whether your streaming product should begin with native, cross-platform or web technologies.

Conclusion

To build a video streaming app like NOW, businesses need to approach the project as an OTT ecosystem rather than a conventional mobile application. The product must connect content management, subscriptions, video processing, cloud infrastructure, CDN delivery, secure playback, personalisation and analytics into one scalable platform.

The UK remains a competitive but commercially significant market. Ofcom’s latest research shows that online video continues to shape the country’s media landscape, while broadcaster and streaming services compete increasingly for viewers’ attention.

The strongest opportunity is therefore to build a differentiated product around a specific audience, content strategy and monetisation model.

Whether you need a VOD service, sports platform or broader entertainment product, an experienced video streaming app development company can help turn the concept into a secure and scalable streaming solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How Much Does It Cost to Build a Video Streaming App Like NOW?

A basic streaming MVP can cost around £25,000–£40,000. A mid-level OTT platform can cost approximately £40,000–£70,000, while an advanced NOW-like platform with live streaming, DRM, multiple devices and complex infrastructure can exceed £120,000.

Q2. How Long Does It Take to Develop a Video Streaming App Like NOW?

A focused MVP can take several months, while a full-scale streaming platform can require considerably longer. The timeline depends on the number of platforms, streaming capabilities, integrations, security requirements, content management features and overall product complexity.

Q3. What Features Should a Video Streaming App Like NOW Have?

Important features include user profiles, VOD, live TV, sports streaming, search, recommendations, subscriptions, watchlists, Continue Watching, downloads, parental controls, secure payments, multi-device support, analytics and an admin dashboard.

Q4. What Technology Is Used to Create a Video Streaming App Like NOW?

Common technologies include React or Next.js for web applications, Flutter or native technologies for mobile applications, Node.js, Python or Java for backend development, cloud infrastructure, HLS or MPEG-DASH for streaming and CDN services for content delivery.

Q5. Do I Need DRM for a NOW Clone App?

DRM may be necessary when the platform distributes premium or licensed content. The exact requirements depend on content rights, supported devices, distribution agreements and the chosen business model.

Q6. How Can a Subscription Streaming App Make Money?

A subscription streaming app can generate revenue through monthly or annual memberships, premium upgrades, advertising, pay-per-view, transactional purchases or a combination of these models.

Q7. How Do I Build a Live TV Streaming App?

A live TV streaming app requires live content ingestion, encoding, transcoding, packaging, CDN delivery, playback infrastructure, programme scheduling, authentication and potentially DRM. It should also be designed to handle sudden increases in concurrent viewers.

Q8. How Can I Build a Video Streaming App in Europe?

To build a video streaming app in Europe, businesses should consider regional content licensing, GDPR requirements, supported languages, payment methods, geographic rights and scalable cloud infrastructure. The technical architecture should also allow expansion into additional European markets without requiring a complete rebuild.

Q9. Is NOW Available Outside the UK?

NOW’s availability and content rights depend on geographic licensing and the applicable market. Its official help documentation states that NOW memberships cannot generally be taken abroad, although selected content can be downloaded before travelling for offline viewing.