Avoid TV Platform Mediocrity with Current Media Content

When it comes to a television, app, or over-the-top (OTT) platform, viewers deserve to have pertinent imagery displayed that is reflective of the ongoing iteration of a show’s cast and season.

In too many cases, metadata vendors fail to keep up-to-date with the ebbs and flows of the seasonal changes that can occur with programming.

When these companies offshore their data aggregation and often find themselves mired in litigation, standards seemingly slide when it comes to the core product.

It’s obvious that keeping audiences informed is not their key strength, just check out the examples below.

Here, an icon of comicbook hero Dick Tracy is confused for former vice president Dick Cheney.

Don't remember Dick Cheney being this badass @verizonfios. pic.twitter.com/HjFMenjIX8

— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) November 2, 2015

In a total blunder in regards to sports knowledge, Real Madrid soccer player Gareth Bale is incorrectly depicted with the Premier League – he’s in the UEFA Champions League.

@NBCSports @XFINITY picture of #Garethbale on TV guide who does not play in the #PremierLeague. #SportsFail. pic.twitter.com/Oar5CWTaI8

— Andy Tidy (@ScubaBrit) August 24, 2015

This metadata firm has associated Formula E electric-powered auto racing with the wrong artwork (bicycling?), as well as the similarly wrong genres, which can cause content discovery to unravel.

Not sure this TV guide app totally understands Formula E. pic.twitter.com/ztgEef61Ke

— Steve Binnie (@evibenstein) February 3, 2016

“Australia’s Got Talent” judges Kyle Sandilands, Dannii Minogue and Brian McFadden all departed the show in 2012, but four years later, this metadata supplier still uses their promotional photo.

Kelly Osbourne, Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Sophie Monk and Eddie Perfect are the judges as of 2016.

My awesome TV guide app has a very up to date picture for the show

A photo posted by Lui Zacher (@luifromtheradio) on Feb 9, 2016 at 12:12am PST

CBS’ “The Good Wife” has been airing since 2009; actor Josh Charles left in 2014, yet the artwork from this metadata business still includes him.

@dish guide shows pics and cast that are old, different cast. Josh Charles been gone long time. pic.twitter.com/IVijnv9cj1

— Missy Crowell (@KeeneMl) March 28, 2016

This is what a proper listing should look like:

Bob Beckel was fired from Fox News in June 2015. Not only is he no longer on the “The Five,” he’s also no longer a contributor to the network. Again, a metadata firm uses highly outdated imagery.

@TheFive I just noticed on my Xfinity guide the pic has Beckel pic.twitter.com/BKN1dquy00

— Andy K (@Luvsthegulf) March 10, 2016

Here’s a correct listing for “The Five,” with the right participants:

If you’re looking for TV show artwork and celebrity imagery that’s representative of what’s actually airing on TV, choose a metadata provider that has it right and pays attention to programming updates.

Author: Brian Cameron

Image via Shutterstock.

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