# Shows disappearing while merging

**URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/t/shows-disappearing-while-merging/372775
**Category:** General Discussions
**Created:** [February 7, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/shows-disappearing-while-merging/372775 "2019-02-07T19:55:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 6

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/shows-disappearing-while-merging/372775/6 "2019-02-07T22:25:34Z")

</div>

I think I have understood your issue.

# handling tv shows in Plex

## preparation

Go to

- Settings - Server - Agents - Shows - TheTVDB

In there, grab the line ‘Local Media Assets’ with your mouse and drag it downwards, so it ends up being at the bottom of the stack of active agents.  
Repeat the same under

- Settings - Server - Agents - Shows - TheMovieDatabase
- Settings - Server - Agents - Movies - Plex Movie
- Settings - Server - Agents - Movies - TheMovieDatabase

## doing it right

1. Look up your show on [TheTVDB](http://thetvdb.com/ "TheTVDB")
2. Take the title as it is used on TheTVDB. If there is something in parentheses, take that too. If the title contains invalid characters (depends on your file system), like `§ : % *`, simply leave them out.
3. Check the [naming and the folder structure](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200220687-naming-series-season-based-tv-shows/ "naming and the folder structure") of your show. Name the top folder of the show exactly after the title on TheTVDB. No abbreviations. No additional subfolders. No aliases. Add the (year) in parentheses of when episode 1 of season 1 of this show was aired.
4. Name the episode files according to the above linked naming guide. Use the same title as for the top folder. `Show's Title (year) - s01e01 - additional info.ext` (’- additional info’ can be left out)
5. After you corrected the naming and folder structure, perform the [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-incorrectly-identifying-tv-episodes/100265/4 "Plex Dance") with all files for this show.

There is software out there which can make all those file name changes and subfolder creating for you.  
[Filebot](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-naming-schemes-for-filebot/121538/1 "Filebot") is probably one of the most powerful of these.

---

_[View the full topic](https://forums.plex.tv/t/shows-disappearing-while-merging/372775)._