# Problem with metadata thetvdb **URL:** \ **Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\ **Tags:** server-linux\ **Created:** [January 10, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860 "2021-01-10T21:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kirito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@Kirito](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Kirito)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/1 "2021-01-10T21:16:12Z")
Server Version#: 1.21.1.3876 Hello 🙂 I have a problem with my TheTVDB metadata. I want to respect the naming recommendations, so I named my new series: Series name (Year) But it doesn’t recognize any of the series, if I remove (Year) from the folder name it finds it instantly. exemple : Ex-Arm (2021) =\> NOT WORK Ex-Arm =\> Working [https://thetvdb.com/series/ex-arm](https://thetvdb.com/series/ex-arm) Do you have a idea for fixit ? Thanks Regards ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Bev](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/dan_bev/32/226338_2.png) [@Dan\_Bev](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Dan_Bev)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/2 "2021-01-10T21:48:45Z")
> [@Kirito](#): > > Do you have a idea for fixit ? Sure, don’t include the year. The yesr is only required for shows that have the same name but aired in different years. ---
**Author:** ![9705](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/9705/32/78006_2.png) [@9705](https://forums.plex.tv/u/9705)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/3 "2021-01-11T04:14:43Z")
It’s not you. I’ve create some new servers. Movies don’t scan at all; movies prior are matching up incorrectly… [ Admin9705](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Admin9705)[Plex Pass](https://forums.plex.tv/g/plex-pass) [1m](https://forums.plex.tv/t/media-added-following-change-to-agent-will-no-longer-be-added-to-plex-library/676664/2) It’s not you. I’m having the same issue with a docker local server, a remote docker server, and 2 bare metal servers and movies do not match up at all. TV works fine, but tons of the movies are missed and it matches up some of the wrong crap and years. Something has def happened. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Bev](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/dan_bev/32/226338_2.png) [@Dan\_Bev](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Dan_Bev)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/4 "2021-01-11T11:40:13Z")
> [@9705](#): > > It’s not you. I’ve create some new servers. Movies don’t scan at all The OP’s problem was with TV series. As I said, there is no need to enter the year unless you need it to differentiate it from another series with the same name. Here’s an example; ![Screenshot_2021-01-11 Search - TheTVDB com](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/e/a/ea64882d3629f05ac414fb66efbf6f428341734d.png) ---
**Author:** ![9705](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/9705/32/78006_2.png) [@9705](https://forums.plex.tv/u/9705)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/5 "2021-01-11T13:24:29Z")
tv is having issues not scanning incorrectly shows also. Not all, but like this example. Something is up with the scanner. ---
**Author:** ![Kirito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@Kirito](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Kirito)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/6 "2021-01-11T15:44:35Z")
I find it more organized with the year, moreover it is recommended for shows, films, why does it block metadata on series? It seems to me that with TheMovieDB the series with (year) no problem to find the metadata. But I want to stay on TheTVDB, all my series, show,…use the TheTVDB. ---
**Author:** ![LostOnTheLine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lostontheline/32/201375_2.png) [@LostOnTheLine](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LostOnTheLine)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/7 "2021-01-11T15:55:11Z")
It’s been a problem that started a month ago or so & has been getting worse. if you manually `Fix Match` it pulls up the correct show, but for some reason it doesn’t auto match correctly anymore half the time. Some times it will show the title as `Show (YEAR)` & the year as blank, but if you move the year to the year are it matches correctly. > [@Dan\_Bev](#): > > The yesr is only required for shows that have the same name but aired in different years. Using `Show (YEAR)` is the preferred naming convention. In fact if you use the DVR service the DVR will automatically name the show in that format. & as an example of how this problem is a system problem not a user error I recently encountered this with a new series that recorded on my DVR, I saw that it didn’t have the artwork so I checked & it wasn’t matched. The show folder was named `The Bachelor (2002)`, named so **BY** Plex, but didn’t auto match ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Bev](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/dan_bev/32/226338_2.png) [@Dan\_Bev](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Dan_Bev)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/8 "2021-01-11T16:07:20Z")
> [@LostOnTheLine](#): > > Using `Show (YEAR)` is the preferred naming convention. Not according to Plex. - _By default, Plex matches against [TheTVDB.com](http://thetvdb.com/), so **you should name and organize your content based on the information on that site**._ - _For shows with the same or similar names (e.g. remakes, US vs UK versions, etc.), include the year alongside the series title in folder and file names, e.g. “Doctor Who (1963)” and “Doctor Who (2005)”._ [https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/) ---
**Author:** ![LostOnTheLine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lostontheline/32/201375_2.png) [@LostOnTheLine](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LostOnTheLine)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 5:11pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/9 "2021-01-11T17:11:16Z")
> [@Dan\_Bev](#): > > should name and organize your content based on the information on that site Yes the `Name`. The `(YEAR)` used to be, & still is half of the time, recognized as a different part, not part of the **name**. The DVR will _ **ALWAYS** _ name with the (YEAR) at the end. Do you think Plex designed it so that the DRV is named incorrectly? No. I don’t think so. If it doesn’t say it there I’m sure where but at some point it was stated that dates are preferred but not required unless there are multiple series. But FYI around the same time this started happening shows with multiple same names started not automatching correctly. `Swamp Thing` was one I remember particularly because it was matching to an old show from the 60s or maybe 80s while it was recording the new one with the show named `Swamp Thing (2019)`. There’s a problem, it’s been getting worse, so changing how you do things to accommodate is a band-aid, not a solution ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/10 "2021-01-11T17:45:37Z")
This matching behavior has existed for nearly a year. It was recognized shortly after the transition to TheTVDB’s version 3 API was completed (correlation does not necessarily imply causation notwithstanding). At the time, it appeared to manifest primarily when adding new 2020 shows. Here are a couple of threads which discuss the behavior: > [@TheTVDB Agent not auto matching shows released in 2020](https://forums.plex.tv/t/thetvdb-agent-not-auto-matching-shows-released-in-2020/543742): > > Server Version#: 1.18.6.2368 Is there a known issue where TheTVDB Plex Agent won’t auto match new TV Shows released in 2020? When I select match, the agent finds a result without any input from me. So why isn’t it finding it automatically? I don’t have this issue with shows released in previous years. If it’s not a known issue, please advise which log I need to provide. Thanks > [@Match Failures](https://forums.plex.tv/t/match-failures/541033): > > Server Version#: The Latest - otherwise take a hike. Player Version#: The Latest - tell us if we ask. If providing [server logs](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) TURN OFF VERBOSE - TURN ON DEBUG - and wait until asked. No Snippets. Period. TV Shows AND Movies - Pile 'em on. Here’s the first one - This is a False Alarm: [https://forums.plex.tv/t/fix-match-using-tmdb-or-imdb-id-number/540072/12?u=juicewsa](https://forums.plex.tv/t/fix-match-using-tmdb-or-imdb-id-number/540072/12) A proper file name - worked as expected: A Movie Library\ Monty Python's Flying Circus - Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (20… There was some minor participation from Plex employees in both threads. They specifically mention TheTVDB’s API change as contributing to the new behavior but didn’t provide any specifics. The message was the same in both cases: If you want the best chance of having automatic matches for your TV series, name them exactly as they appear at TheTVDB. Personally, I always include the year and `Match`/`Fix Match` as necessary. ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/11 "2021-01-11T17:52:36Z")
> [@pshanew](#): > > Personally, I always include the year and `Match` / `Fix Match` as necessary. … and I use Filebot - that names the file EXACTLY as it appears at TVDB, resulting in an instant natural match… mostly (99%ish). I’m not a Rocket Scientist - but it doesn’t take one to know what to do. I like the Natural, Hands Off Approach. Others like the Chest Puffed Out Dancing On The Canvas - then using Fix Match -approach. Pick one. Plex doesn’t care either way - apparently. ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/12 "2021-01-11T17:56:39Z")
From the “Matching Failures” thread: > [@Match Failures](https://forums.plex.tv/t/match-failures/541033/31): > > They’ll pry using the release year in the directory/file names from my cold, dead hands. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/13 "2021-01-11T17:57:25Z")
^that’s the Chest Puffed Out Dancing On The Canvas - then Fix Match - Approach… lol ---
**Author:** ![LostOnTheLine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lostontheline/32/201375_2.png) [@LostOnTheLine](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LostOnTheLine)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/14 "2021-01-11T18:07:52Z")
> [@pshanew](#): > > They specifically mention TheTVDB’s API change as contributing to the new behavior Yes, it’s a bug, it’s not the new standard, it’s a bug. The bug may not be fixed any time soon, so if you happen to add so many new TV Shows that `Fix Match` is that inconvenient then jank-up your library all you want, it’s _ **YOUR** _ library. But when the new TV Agent that’s in Beta comes out & you revert them all back that’ll be more work than a few `Fix Match`es now. & using a DVR you really have no choice but to use the (YEAR) because if you change it the next episode will go into a different folder & you’ll be juggling every week ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/15 "2021-01-11T18:15:03Z")
> [@LostOnTheLine](#): > > But when the new TV Agent that’s in Beta If Plex doesn’t foist their New Agent Soup on me with no other choice - HELL will be in all the papers 'cause it’ll have a brand new Ice Cap on it 500 miles thick when I - on purpose - switch to a new agent designed to chase every Scene Name on the Planet and cater to every fool that won’t name them anything else. I have FileBot. I don’t need an Outsmarted, Over-Developed Super-Duper-Agent to cater to my poor naming and structuring choices. ---
**Author:** ![LostOnTheLine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lostontheline/32/201375_2.png) [@LostOnTheLine](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LostOnTheLine)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/16 "2021-01-11T18:22:57Z")
> [@JuiceWSA](#): > > I have FileBot. So use your FileBot. Nobody cares. There are Zero people in this thread who care about how _ **YOU** _ name your library. Correction, there is ONE… You… Nobody told you to change. But _ **you** _ are telling the OP that they are doing it wrong because they aren’t doing it the way you do. They way they are doing it isn’t the wrong way, in fact it’s the exact same way Plex does it when it is doing it on it’s own. None of my comments were directed at you. Even when I was correcting your misinformation, that correction is for the OP, not for you. You do what you like. Nobody cares ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/17 "2021-01-11T18:43:42Z")
> [@LostOnTheLine](#): > > You do what you like. Nobody cares Oh, but you do. Others that might want to stop the endless Match Fixing may also care - and all those guys that are NOT in this thread, that cared previously, started using FileBot and now they don’t have to care 'cause the tired old Agents work exactly like they always did - nearly flawlessly, instantly and without a lot of Drama. If someone wants that to happen - they’ll care. In a thread filled with a particular disease - a cure is almost always big news. I got the cure. Pass it on… ---
**Author:** ![LostOnTheLine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/lostontheline/32/201375_2.png) [@LostOnTheLine](https://forums.plex.tv/u/LostOnTheLine)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 6:50pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/18 "2021-01-11T18:50:50Z")
> [@JuiceWSA](#): > > I got the cure No, that’s my point, you _ **DON’T** _ have a cure, you have a band-aid, no, more like crude stitches. It’ll stop the bleeding now, but when the cut is healed it’ll leave a scar. But especially since the problem has been getting worse over the past few months your system may stop working too. The OP does not sound like someone who downloadeds a bunch of Torrents, which is what FileBot is for, as I understand it, to automatically rename things you torrent so they’ll match. & yeah, if you have your system automatically getting a bunch of stuff sure, that’s useful, but for the rest of us it’s really not ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/19 "2021-01-11T19:10:27Z")
> [@LostOnTheLine](#): > > The OP does not sound like someone who downloadeds a bunch of Torrents, which is what FileBot is for, as I understand it, to automatically rename things you torrent so they’ll match. & yeah, if you have your system automatically getting a bunch of stuff sure, that’s useful, but for the rest of us it’s really not Man, you just can’t stop yourself, can you? News Flash - FileBot renames all kinds of files, but you can call me any hurtful names you want, buddy. I’ve dealt with Top-Hat Wearing Guys like you all my life (we have a super-secret name for you guys - I’ll keep that to myself 'cause it’s not only super-secret - it’s hilarious and absolutely runs afoul of the Forum Guidelines I would imagine). FileBot doesn’t care where the file came from or who named it poorly. FileBot’s singular mission in life is to name the file correctly. FileBot renames them perfectly 'cause it goes to the Database in Question and gets the name they use - then names it that name. The “Problem” hasn’t gotten worse - or better - since “Match Failures”. When a perfect name is used a perfect match is usually the result. Again - not Rocket Science. ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860/20 "2021-01-11T19:25:14Z")
> [@LostOnTheLine](#): > > Yes, it’s a bug, it’s not the new standard, it’s a bug. I don’t disagree; and I don’t _think_ I implied otherwise. I very much agree that the current behavior is undesirable. In spite of that, I always append the release year when adding media to my TV Shows library. My hope is that matching logic used for a `Match` or `Fix Match`, which uses the year as a hint, is someday (re-?)implemented for the initial scan as well. Until then I’m content to fix it manually, when the need arises. You actually reiterated above a point [I made last year](https://forums.plex.tv/t/thetvdb-agent-not-auto-matching-shows-released-in-2020/543742/80) when we were discussing this: The Plex DVR _always_ includes the release year when it stores media. This implies at the very least that, while not documented as such, the release year should be appended to the show name. That means that if I record a complete series using the DVR and later choose to move it to relocate it to my permanent TV library, I’ll have to correct the naming which it (the DVR) applied if I want it to be matched automatically. [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/problem-with-metadata-thetvdb/676860.md?page=2)