This may be terribly difficult, or impossible, to pull off, but it would be so cool if Plex could somehow integrate the various streaming platforms into their dashboard. Or, at least, integrate it into the search results.
For example, let’s say I wanted to watch a particular show/movie/episode. I am not sure if I have that item in my library, or maybe it is coming up on live TV, or maybe provided on one of Plex’s free TV channels. Or, maybe it is available on Prime, or Netflix, etc. It would be great if I could go to Plex, search for the item, and have it pull up search results from all my subscribed libraries. And then either launch the item, either inside Plex (probably not possible), or through the particular platforms app.
As for integrating those online streaming platforms, you’re probably out of luck as those aren’t particularly fond of having their catalogs/content integrated in anything but their own apps.
Also, Plex has recently updated their remarks about feature requests and indicated they will no longer accept feature suggestions asking to integrate provider XYZ → Please Read: Before submitting a feature Suggestion
As for getting links to various online streaming providers… this has been implemented for Plex’ own video on-demand service (via https://watch.plex.tv). This page is showing a much wider catalog than what’s actually available on Plex – for items not available through Plex, they’re now listing alternative streaming platforms which should be available from your region.
Similar, but a different approach. It’s a bit more manual, but it lets you add items from other services to your library for easier access, and organization within Plex.
Curious that Plex has part of this in a way in terms of the Buy/Rent links on their own on-demand service you noted.
Stream Links would be an interesting way of having some ability to add items from other services without actually having to integrate with the other services directly.
I noticed that post too, but it leads to believe this update is more than just “Discover Where to Watch”. I think this will be the update everybody has been begging for, or at least laying the groundwork for it…
1 major blocker they have right now for some highly requested features is universal search, something that includes everything, even if its not in your library.
They simply need to overcome this blocker to allow a unified Watchlist, which is highly requested! Along with another highly requested feature, dedicated cast pages with info and filmography across Movies and Shows.
Take the screenshot Tom posted from https://watch.plex.tv, the website has been updated to includes all of these features, including showing all rating across TMDb, IMDB, & RT, which is probably why they moved the location of the ratings in apps a few months back.
Everything is coming together and I’m honestly dying for the updates to arrive
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves / over-excited… there’s a huge step from providing this for their catalog vs. integrating all your libraries. Last not least the handling without referencing all your library content to the cloud.
Don’t worry, I’m not getting ahead of myself. I know these things take time hahaha. I’m just expressing that I believe this is the first step in the direction to lead to more exciting things. At least from a technical standpoint, this feature is needed to introduce other highly requested features / improvements.
I suppose you might want to checkout the new features Plex just announced.
From my point of view this is actually addressing what you’ve been suggesting (or at least the realistic part).
