To build a streaming platform in 2025, you need more than just good content. You need a niche. The success of a streaming platform depends on how well you serve a specific market segment.
That’s why custom video streaming app development is booming, especially across the MENA region.
Today, we’ll unveil the cost of building a popular video streaming platform—Shahid. In a world filled with Western content, Shahid took an alternate route by strategically focusing on localised Arabic content.
And here’s something interesting: the video streaming platform in the Middle East is estimated to reach USD 6.75 billion by 2031, making now the ideal time to invest in video streaming platforms.
In this blog, we’ll explore the costs and provide a step-by-step guide for Shahid app clone development.
What Makes Platforms Like Shahid Successful?
Shahid is the most-watched streaming platform in the MENA region, offering a diverse range of content, including original productions, international movies and series, and live sports.
Here are the top reasons that make it successful:
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Focus on Local Content
Shahid has its primary focus on Arabic content and regional productions, which makes it culturally relevant and the go-to choice for audiences in the Middle East.
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Influential Backing
Created and operated by the MBC Group, a leading broadcaster in the Middle East. Shahid has access to an exclusive content library and cross-channel promotions.
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Flexible User Experience
Shahid supports both ad-supported and premium memberships to cater to a broader audience base. To ensure every user finds their place on the streaming platform.
Cost To Build A Streaming Platform Like Shahid
The cost to build an on-demand video streaming app like Shahid can range from $40,000 to $300,000, depending on the design, scale of deploying solutions, and platform development partner location.
For a high-quality and feature-intensive platform, you can expect the spending to range from $500,000-$1,000,000.
Core Cost Components
Here is a breakdown of the core cost components:
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Frontend and Backend Development
For frontend and backend development, you can expect to spend in the range of $15,000-$70,000 for features like user interface, payment gateways, and content sourcing, especially if you're aiming for scalable live streaming app development.
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UI/UX Design
Your platform design is the first thing that catches the eye. Compelling designs cost you somewhere between $5,000- $20,000, depending on your development partner.
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Content Rights and Licensing
The price of maintaining a large content repository ranges from $10,000 to $100,000.
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Maintenance and Support
Maintaining a video streaming platform for a seamless user experience is vital. Data storage services, cloud hosting, and routine maintenance can take up to $5000-$50,000 yearly.
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Source of Promotion
To promote a video streaming platform, you’ll have to invest in paid partnerships and launch campaigns. These costs can range from $10,000 to $60,000.
Factors Affecting the Cost To Develop a Video Streaming Platform
Before you set a budget to develop a video streaming platform, learn about the factors that influence it.
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Core Features and Additional Functionalities
Basic features like user profiles, video on demand, and multi-device support form the foundation of the streaming platform.
Advanced features and functionalities, such as user personalization, multilingual content, and live streaming, demand more investment.
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Streaming Platform Design
Platform design is more than just aesthetics.
It's about how well users can navigate in your interface. To seamlessly incorporate visual elements, ensure consistent quality across all platforms, and include interactive elements, you’ll require a higher budget.
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Platform Streaming Strategy
Mobile app development on Android and iOS platforms has different budgetary requirements.
In addition, designing for web, smart TVs, and mobile devices each comes with its own rules, standards, and testing requirements. If you want to lower your costs, begin with a single platform.
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Source of Content
Your streaming platform is nothing without quality content. But where is the best place to source it? If you opt for original, in-house content, similar to Shahid, this approach will incur recurring costs and increase the overall development cost.
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Third-Party Integration
Integrating seamless payment gateways and additional services like customer support is essential. The cost of incorporating third-party services depends on the level of customization.
If you are aiming for a customer-centric platform, be prepared to integrate chat support tools, a digital rights management system, and a smooth payment gateway mechanism.
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App Development Partner
Another crucial factor that can make or break the cost factor is your app/platform development partner. If you go for an in-house development team, it’ll cost you more.
In this context, partnering with video streaming app development companies that prove to be cost-efficient is preferable.
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Maintenance and Support
The platform is deployed. What’s next on the list? Maintenance and support system.
Proper maintenance ensures the platform’s longevity and allows the system to run smoothly without any hindrance in the video streaming experience.
How to Build a Video Streaming Platform Like Shahid: A Simple Step-By-Step Guide
Now that we have an understanding of the costs, it’s time to look at the actual process. Building a video streaming platform like Shahid requires a strategic approach. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Map Your Target Audience
Begin by addressing your target audience and determining the elements to include in your video streaming platform.
Starting your development process on a clear note will help you avoid any unanticipated costs.
Step 2: Determine Your App Features
Your platform must incorporate basic features like video on demand, user profiles, and social sharing, alongside an over-the-top functionality that can differentiate it in the marketplace.
Step 3: Identify Your Business Plan
The most crucial step of the entertainment app development process is brainstorming to develop a plan. This involves elements like funding source, a medium to acquire content, and figuring out your platform development partner.
Step 4: Choose Your Platform Development Partner
The business plan is finalised, now we move to the next step. Finding the right platform development partner that aligns with your strategy and budget is crucial.
Here, you decide whether to train an in-house development team or hire video streaming app developers.
Step 5: Pick a Video Hosting Solution
For a seamless video streaming platform, you require credible hosting partners that can support high traffic and bandwidth.
You can choose from the major cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Step 6: Design and Test the Platform
The streaming platform should be intuitive, user-friendly, and engaging. Once the design is finalised and the interface is ready, the next move is to test your platform for bugs, hindrances, and quality assurance.
If you want your platform to run across multiple devices, optimize it for seamless content-watching.
Let’s Wrap Up
The cost is sorted. Now, all you need is the right partner to put things in perspective, and what better partner than Infutrix?
At Infutrix, we understand the intricacies of building scalable and secure mobile app development for streaming apps. From feature-rich frontend development to robust backend architecture, our team is equipped to bring your vision to life with our video streaming app development services.
Turn your idea into the next big thing in streaming with Infutrix!
