User Experience for Streaming Platforms and Media Libraries

Content alone is no longer king. If you want to stand out from the competition and truly engage your audience, you need to deliver a flawless user experience.In this article, you’ll learn why UX matters so much for streaming platforms and media libraries — and what you should consider when designing your user interface.

It’s About More Than Just Content

For consumers, the user experience (UX) and interface design (UI) of streaming platforms and media libraries are just as important as the content itself. After all, great content is useless if users can’t easily access it or if the viewing experience feels frustrating. It’s about offering both a strong and diverse content library and intuitive navigation — from search and content selection to the player controls.

What’s the Goal of UX and UI? Users need to find relevant content quickly, with as few clicks or taps as possible. If the journey feels complicated or the viewing experience doesn’t deliver, today’s demanding users will drop off fast. A well-designed user interface combined with outstanding user experience keeps them engaged — and keeps them coming back.

Win by Creating Experiences That Stick

In the crowded video streaming market, there will soon be only a handful of dominant players left. If you want to win market share — or stay on top as a market leader — you need to stand out. And user experience is the key. According to a PwC study, user experience impacts the perceived value of a video service almost as much as the content itself. For Pay-TV and ad-supported video-on-demand platforms (AVOD), UX even outweighs content as the most important factor.

We can boil it all down to one simple question: Is using your streaming platform or media library a pleasure? If you deliver a great experience, you’ll stay top of mind. And this is where user interface (UI) design plays a critical role: The right interface shapes your brand experience — and it’s key to attracting new customers.

How Do You Design a User Interface That People Remember? How do you create a streaming platform or media library that reflects your brand, delivers on customer expectations and works seamlessly across all devices? 

The Human Factor – A Critical Challenge

It’s no secret: Every great design starts with a clear understanding of your audience. You need to truly know who you’re designing for. One proven approach is Human-Centered Design. At SANMIGUEL, we use this method to put real people — your customers — at the center of every design decision. This helps us create user interfaces and experiences that don’t just work, but delight your customers at every touchpoint.

Conclusion

In the race for streaming audiences, content alone isn’t enough — user experience is just as important. A brilliant user interface makes all the difference, delivering a seamless experience that sticks in people’s minds. Those who excel at UX and UI don’t just win happy customers, they win market share. So remember: When it comes to choosing your streaming platform, it’s not just content that’s king — design rules, too.