Smart TVs and streaming devices are now in more than 80% of U.S. households. The timing couldn't be better to build an app like XumoTV, especially with the market projected to hit $451 billion by 2027.
The data tells an impressive story. Android TV features over 10,000 apps, while users spent $12.1 billion on app store purchases in just one quarter of 2021. The market needs more free ad-supported streaming services, and smart TV platforms provide access to millions of content-hungry viewers.
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish. You'll understand XumoTV's business model, learn which features to include, and become skilled at the technical side of development. A structured approach will help turn your idea into a working smart TV app. Ready to build your own streaming platform?
Understanding What XumoTV Does
You need a clear picture of what XumoTV (now known as Xumo Play) offers before we take a closer look at app development. Your streaming application's success depends on understanding its core functionality.
Live TV and on-demand content
Xumo Play stands out by offering an impressive library of content to users at no cost. Users can access over 350 live channels and 15,000 on-demand titles. This approach lets viewers watch both scheduled shows and content that fits their schedule.
Xumo Play's content serves viewers of all types with these categories:
- News: Up-to-the-minute updates from mainstream networks, plus local news coverage from 30 different cities
- Movies: Thousands of films across action, comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, and westerns
- TV Shows: Popular series including Mad Men, Broadchurch, and Hell's Kitchen
- Sports: Live events, highlights, and analysis channels
- Kids & Family: Child-friendly programming for younger viewers
- Special Interest: Food, travel, comedy, and nature documentaries
Xumo sets itself apart by auto-playing live channels when users start the app - giving them a traditional TV feel with modern on-demand features. This blend creates a familiar yet flexible viewing experience that appeals to cord-cutters and streaming newcomers alike.
Ad-supported streaming model
Xumo Play's financial engine runs on advertising. The platform delivers free content with strategically placed ads, much like traditional TV. Users can watch everything without paying subscription fees.
Xumo's revenue strategy includes:
- Zero-cost entry: No subscriptions, payments, or even user logins needed to watch content
- Ad integration: Commercial breaks throughout programming, similar to regular TV
- No premium tier: The platform doesn't offer an ad-free paid option
This model targets connected TV (CTV) audiences who watch both live and on-demand content. Revenue comes from targeted ads that feel like linear TV, while viewers enjoy free access. Developers building similar apps can form mutually beneficial alliances with advertisers looking for engaged streaming audiences.
Cross-platform availability
Xumo Play shines with its broad device support, letting users watch almost anywhere. Your streaming app should work on multiple platforms to reach more viewers.
Xumo Play works on many devices:
- Smart TVs: Built-in support on Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, Sharp, Hisense, and other major brands
- Streaming Devices: Compatible with Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV
- Mobile: Dedicated apps for iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android phones/tablets
- Web: Browser-based viewing via play.xumo.com
- Cable Boxes: Integration with Xfinity X1/Flex, Rogers/Shaw Ignite, and Cox Contour
- Dedicated Hardware: Available on Xumo Stream Box and Xumo TV sets
Xumo TV comes with 250+ top streaming apps already installed, so users don't have to search app stores. The platform adds new apps automatically when they become available, which improves user experience without manual updates.
Ready to Disrupt the Streaming Market?
Now that you understand how XumoTV dominates the free streaming space, it's time to start your own journey.
Research the Smart TV App Market
Smart TV streaming keeps growing faster than ever. You need a deep understanding of market conditions, leading platforms, and consumer choices to build an app like XumoTV.
Trends in OTT and CTV usage
The numbers paint a clear picture of how people watch TV today. Smart TV sticks market reached USD 33.33 billion in 2023, and experts predict steady 4.7% growth each year until 2030. Viewers moving away from traditional TV have sparked this growth.
Digital streaming now accounts for 57% of TV viewing, while cable or linear TV sits at just 26%. The change has been clear - streaming took 44.8% of total TV viewing in 2023, beating cable and broadcast combined for the first time.
Connected TV (CTV) has become a powerhouse in entertainment. U.S. viewers spent 43.8% of their TV time streaming as of March 2023 - up 10 points in just two years. Ad-supported content makes up 72.4% of all U.S. TV viewing time.
Money keeps flowing into this sector. The U.S. OTT market should hit USD 146.30 billion in 2023, with video ads taking the biggest slice at USD 93.88 billion. App developers now have a chance to create streaming solutions for an audience that keeps growing.
Popular platforms: Roku, Fire TV, Android TV
A few key platforms lead the smart TV world, each with its own strengths:
Roku: This streaming pioneer turned its platform into a detailed smart TV interface that many TV makers can use. People love its easy-to-use design, no matter their tech skills. Roku works with many apps and services, making it available even on cheaper TV brands.
Fire TV: Amazon puts this platform in its own TVs and other brands too. While Amazon's Prime Video comes first, Fire TV also shows suggestions from other major services. Any TV can use this platform through devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K.
Android TV/Google TV: Google's system has grown a lot, leading to today's Google TV platform. Many TV brands like Hisense, Sony, and TCL use it, and you can add it to any TV with budget-friendly devices like the Google TV Streamer.
Why users prefer free ad-supported apps
Free ad-supported streaming has gained huge popularity, with 69% of CTV users choosing it over paid subscriptions. This number shows how viewing habits have changed.
Here's what drives this trend:
- Cost considerations: Cable packages cost about USD 217.42 monthly, while multiple streaming services cost much less. Yet people feel overwhelmed by too many monthly fees.
- Content abundance: Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) reaches 45% of U.S. internet homes, and 58% use at least one free streaming service. These numbers keep climbing as more content becomes available.
- Subscription cycling: About 63% of viewers join streaming services to watch specific shows, then leave. So free services that stay available make more sense.
- Interactive advertising: About 42% of CTV users like ads they can interact with, and 71% enjoy TV ads with QR codes. This shows people accept ads that add value or let them participate.
The ad-supported model offers great potential for developers creating apps like XumoTV. FAST platforms should reach 58% of viewers by 2023, and the audience keeps growing. Plus, 35% of OTT subscribers planned to drop their paid services by mid-2023, showing more people moving toward free options.
Choose the Right Platform and Tech Stack
Your streaming app's success depends on choosing the right platform and tech stack. This choice will impact everything from how much you spend on development to how users experience your app.
Android TV vs Roku vs Fire TV
Major TV platforms give developers different advantages when creating an app like XumoTV. Your target audience, development flexibility, and ways to make money should guide your choice.
Android TV gives you complete control through its open operating system. You can install APK files from anywhere, change interfaces with custom launchers, and use advanced features through developer options. This freedom lets you customize your streaming app exactly how you want.
Roku works differently as a closed platform. You can't install apps from outside their official store or change interfaces. But Roku helps users compare prices and find content across different services with unbiased search features.
Fire TV finds middle ground by letting you side-load Android apps and offering great cloud gaming services. Amazon content gets subtle promotion, but you can't ignore Fire TV's huge user base when developing streaming apps.
Native vs cross-platform development
Building a TV app like XumoTV presents a key choice: create separate apps for each platform or build one app that works everywhere.
Native development means building platform-specific apps using Java/Kotlin for Android TV or Swift for tvOS. This approach gives you:
- Best performance and customization options for each platform
- Better access to features like voice controls
- Deeper OS integration and optimized video players
Building native apps means you'll need separate codebases, which costs more and takes longer to launch.
Cross-platform development lets you write code once and use it everywhere. This method:
- Cuts development time up to 30% through code reuse
- Costs less with unified maintenance and faster development
- Reaches users across different operating systems
A hybrid approach blends both methods, often using a native video player with a cross-platform UI. This balanced solution delivers speed where needed while keeping development quick.
Cross-platform development makes the most sense for beginners building a XumoTV-like app, unless you need specific performance features.
Recommended tools and SDKs
The right development tools will help you build your streaming app faster.
Android TV development needs:
- Android Studio - The official IDE with TV templates and emulators
- Jetpack Compose for TV - Recommended UI toolkit built for big screens
- Leanback Library - UI components that work well with TV navigation
You should also add:
- Official Platform SDKs: Fire TV Integration SDK or tvOS SDK help optimize your app and meet store requirements
- OVP SDKs: These add features like video encoding/decoding, digital rights management, and adaptive streaming
- React Native for TV: Build apps for Android TV, tvOS, and Tizen while reusing 60-80% of your code
Start your app development by declaring a TV activity in your manifest with a CATEGORY_LEANBACK_LAUNCHER intent filter. This tells Google Play your app works on TV.
Make sure you have SDK tools version 24.0.0 or higher and target Android 5.0 (API level 21) or higher to use the latest TV APIs. These basics will help you start building your XumoTV-inspired streaming platform.
Ready to Disrupt the Streaming Market?
Now that you understand how XumoTV dominates the free streaming space, it's time to start your own journey.
Plan the Core Features of Your App
Your streaming app's success boils down to its features. The right core functions will shape how users interact with your platform and keep them coming back.
Live TV streaming and EPG integration
Every streaming app like XumoTV needs a detailed Electronic Program Guide (EPG). This digital interface shows schedules of current and upcoming programs and serves as the main navigation tool. Good EPGs provide immediate updates and program information that goes beyond simple scheduling.
Your EPG should include these elements:
- Detailed program descriptions to involve users
- Reminders and alerts for upcoming shows
- Customization based on viewing habits
- Interactive features like hover-over descriptions
EPG data includes program names, captions, start/end dates, and images. Modern platforms keep EPG data up to 7 days and display it in calendar format. You'll need to choose between building your own EPG system or merging with existing solutions like Muvi One, which works on all platforms.
On-demand video library
Among other features, your app needs a vast on-demand library. Xumo Play offers 15,000 titles on demand, letting users watch content whenever they want.
The size of your library isn't everything. Content organization plays a vital role. Users get frustrated quickly if they can't find what they want. You need a logical structure with categories by genre, actors, topics, and ratings.
User profiles and watch history
Modern streaming apps must have multiple user profiles. This feature lets several people use one account while keeping their watch histories and priorities separate. Each profile should let users customize their account information, manage subscriptions, and adjust settings.
User profiles fix a common problem: mixed-up viewing choices and recommendations when multiple people share a device. Separate profiles create unique experiences where users get content suggestions that match their tastes.
Watch history is another vital feature that lets viewers pick up right where they stopped. This works on any device, so users get the same experience whatever they watch on.
Ad integration and monetization
Building an app like XumoTV means you'll likely use an ad-supported model. Free ad-supported television (FAST) will bring in global revenue of USD 10.39 billion by 2025.
The way you handle ads will affect both user experience and revenue. Think over these ways to make money:
- Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI): Puts ads right into the video stream before delivery for smooth viewing
- Client-Side Ad Insertion (CSAI): Uses the video player to spot markers and add ads at specific points
- Programmatic advertising: Uses machine learning and analytical insights to buy and sell ads automatically
Ad management includes how often ads appear, how many ads play in sequence, and where they show up (before, during, or after content). You need to balance making money with keeping viewers happy.
Add analytics while building to track how ads perform. This helps you learn which content makes the most money. This approach helps create steady income while keeping viewers satisfied.
Design a TV-Friendly User Interface
TV interface design needs a completely different mindset than mobile or web design. The viewing distance changes how people interact with your app. Let's explore what sets TV interfaces apart.
Remote control navigation
TV interfaces use D-pad controls (up/down/left/right buttons) instead of touch or mouse interactions. This basic difference affects everything in your interface design.
Your XumoTV-style app needs proper focus management. Users should see which element they've selected at any time. To name just one example, see these navigation principles:
- Make focused items stand out visually (scaling, borders, or color changes)
- Create predictable movement patterns between elements
- Give instant feedback after button presses
TV interfaces need a focus state to handle navigation, unlike touchscreens where users interact directly with content. This indirect interaction means your app must show users where they are in the interface.
Grid-based layout and large fonts
Grid layouts work best for TV interfaces because they blend naturally with four-directional remote control navigation. This approach helps users predict movement and reduces confusion.
Text size and readability need extra attention since viewers sit about 3 meters (10 feet) from their screens. Text that works on phones becomes hard to read at this distance. The best way to keep text readable:
- Use at least 24px for basic text (compared to 16-18px on web)
- Pick sans-serif fonts with good x-height characteristics
- Keep typography to 5-6 sizes for consistency
- Skip very thin or bold fonts that blur at a distance
Content layouts should use horizontal rows ("shelves") that let users browse easily with left/right navigation. Streaming platforms use this pattern because it works naturally with remote controls.
Using an odd number of columns in your grid layout lets the last visible item "peek" from the edge. This subtle hint shows users they can scroll for more content.
Accessibility and localization
Accessibility is vital. About 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairments. Making your app available to everyone expands your audience by a lot.
Research shows 96% of users with vision impairments watch TV regularly, and 81% watch more than an hour daily. Yet 65% have trouble finding content. This gap gives you a chance to outperform competitors.
Essential accessibility features include:
- Screen reader support like TalkBack
- Clear UI element labels
- Text size options for different vision needs
- Voice control options besides remote navigation
TVs are shared devices at home, used by people with different tech skills and accessibility needs. Your interface should work well for everyone.
Add customization options like adjustable subtitle sizes where platforms allow it. These small details really matter to many viewers.
Test your app with accessibility features turned on during development. Features that seem fine in theory might cause problems as new elements can affect screen reader flow or navigation.
Develop and Test the App
You've planned your features and designed your interface. The time has come to code your XumoTV-style app. This development and testing phase will reshape the scene by turning your concept into a working application.
Set up Android TV project in Android Studio
Android Studio gives you all the tools needed to develop TV apps with a straightforward setup:
- Update SDK tools to version 24.0.0 or higher to build better TV apps
- Install Android 5.0 (API 21) or higher platform in your SDK
- Create a project targeting API level 21 or above
- Add a TV activity in your manifest using a CATEGORY_LEANBACK_LAUNCHER intent filter
The manifest declaration plays a vital role. Your app won't appear to users browsing Google Play on TV devices without it. The manifest entry should look like this:
android:theme="@style/Theme.Leanback">
Use Leanback or Jetpack Compose for TV
UI development gives you two main choices: the older Leanback library or the newer Jetpack Compose for TV.
Leanback's foundation lies in Fragments, Presenters, and XML themes, patterns that don't scale well in 2025. The library still provides ready-made components built specifically for TV interfaces.
Jetpack Compose for TV brings modern advantages:
- Freedom to create any UI type from simple layouts to complex animations
- Faster development with less code
- Better debugging and review with declarative syntax
A gradual approach works best when moving from Leanback to Compose:
- Begin with smaller components like settings screens
- Switch entire fragments one at a time
- Let both frameworks coexist during migration
Test on physical and virtual devices
Real TV hardware testing reveals problems that emulators might miss. A detailed testing approach includes:
- Virtual device testing: The AVD Manager helps create TV virtual devices
- Pick a TV device definition
- Turn on "Use Host GPU" option for better performance
- Launch your app from Android Studio to this virtual device
- Physical device testing: Your TV needs debugging setup
- Connect your TV through USB
- Access developer options by clicking Build number multiple times
- Enable USB debugging in developer options
Real hardware often handles remote focus differently than emulators. Physical device testing also helps spot issues with:
- DPAD latency and navigation
- Audio/video playback performance
- Focus indicators and transitions
- Accessibility features like screen readers
Remote testing services offer access to various TV models when buying multiple test devices seems expensive.
Deploy and Publish Your App
You've completed development and testing of your app. Now it's time to share your creation with potential viewers. Let's look at what you need to publish your app successfully.
Prepare assets: banner, icon, metadata
Your app needs several visual assets to stand out in app stores:
Android TV apps need both a home screen icon and a banner image for each supported language. The app's launch point on the home screen will use either the icon or banner. Your banner should be an xhdpi resource that measures 320 x 180 px and includes text in the image.
You'll also need these crucial assets:
- App icon: 512 x 512 px (32-bit PNG with alpha) that doesn't exceed 1024KB
- Feature graphic: This serves as your preview video's cover image
- Screenshots: You need at least two screenshots from different device types ranging between 320px and 3840px
Declare TV support in manifest
Your streaming app needs specific declarations in the Android manifest file to show up on TV devices:
Add the leanback feature to show TV compatibility. Set the required attribute to "false" if your app works on both mobile and TV. Here's how:
android:name="android.software.leanback"
android:required="false"/>
Next, declare that your app doesn't need a touchscreen:
android:name="android.hardware.touchscreen"
android:required="false"/>
Your app won't appear in Google Play on TV devices without these declarations. This step is crucial.
Submit to Google Play or other stores
After preparing your assets, submit your app through Google Play Console. The process includes:
- Uploading your app package
- Adding your store listing with all assets
- Setting content ratings
- Choosing pricing and distribution options
Samsung TV apps need submission through Samsung Apps TV Seller Office. Your app goes through pre-testing of settings and functions. Samsung then reviews it against their quality guidelines.
Apps often face rejection due to poor banners, TV screen UI issues, or broken focus navigation. Reviewers will reject your app if focus jumps randomly or vanishes after screen changes.
Test everything before submission. Take time to use your app with a remote control to catch any navigation problems that could cause rejection.
Monetize and Optimize for Growth
Your app is published, and now you need to focus on ways to generate revenue and help your streaming service grow.
Ad-based revenue models
Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) has become hugely popular. Global revenue will likely reach USD 69.00 billion by 2027. Studies reveal that 69% of streaming subscribers are fine with commercials. This creates huge opportunities to make money.
Here are some proven ad strategies that work:
- Server-Side Ad Insertion: Creates smooth viewing by stitching ads directly into video streams
- Programmatic advertising: Uses machine learning to automate ad buying/selling
- Dynamic targeting: Shows individual-specific ads based on viewer demographics and behaviors
Premium streaming platforms saw their ad revenue jump by almost 50% year-to-year in 2024's third quarter, reaching USD 3.80 billion.
User analytics and engagement
Google Firebase and similar tools help you track immediate user behavior patterns. These insights let you enhance content recommendations and interfaces based on how people actually watch.
Key metrics to watch include unique visitors, visit count, and watch time. Mobile app development company CISIN explains that knowing which content keeps users coming back helps maintain steady growth.
Regular updates and content refresh
Regular app updates keep users interested. Outdated information, broken links, or stale interfaces reduce user participation by a lot.
We focused on:
- Updating statistics and dated information
- Refreshing visuals and design elements
- Making content more readable with clear language
- Adjusting tone to match current brand guidelines
These updates show users and search engines that you're relevant and knowledgeable.
Maximize Your Streaming Revenue
Partner with a development team that understands how to integrate advanced ad-tech and scale your platform globally.
Conclusion
A XumoTV-style app could be your ticket into the booming streaming market. This piece covers everything you need to turn your streaming app idea into reality. XumoTV's success comes from its core model - free content with ads that works on many platforms.
The numbers tell an interesting story. Users are moving away from paid subscriptions to ad-supported services. New streaming apps have a great chance to break into the market right now. Look at the stats - 69% of CTV users prefer free content with ads. That's a huge market waiting to be tapped.
Your tech choices can make or break development success. Each platform - Android TV, Roku, and Fire TV - brings its own benefits to the table. Cross-platform tools help cut both time and costs. A good software development partner like CISIN can help you handle these platform requirements.
Your app must nail the basics. Live TV streaming should work smoothly with EPG integration. You'll need a well-organized on-demand library, user profiles, and smart ad placement. These features are the foundation of any good streaming platform.
On top of that, it needs an accessible interface that works well with remotes. Grid layouts, big fonts, and accessibility features are crucial. TV apps work differently than mobile or web apps. Your design should reflect these differences.
Android Studio with Leanback or Jetpack Compose are great tools for development and testing. Test your app thoroughly on both virtual and real devices. This helps catch any navigation problems early.
Your app won't show up in TV app stores without proper asset preparation and configuration files. Take time to get these details right.
Smart ad placement helps maximize revenue. Use live analytics to understand how people use your app. Fresh content keeps viewers coming back for more.
The streaming market grows bigger every day. Your app could grab its share of viewers if you build it right. Start small if you need to, but focus on quality at every step. Before you know it, people might be streaming their favorite shows on your platform.
