The impact of TV metadata on content discovery

When we as consumers try to find TV or VOD content on various platforms to watch, one thing that plays an important role in locating this content is TV metadata. TV metadata, although not an everyday set of words you will often hear, has a crucial part to play in the content discovery experience and how we navigate the many platforms accessible to us to find our favourite TV shows and films.

From our Letchworth office, TV Metadata Manager, Paul Talbot, breaks down all the important, need to know information about metadata, including how it affects content discovery, what role it plays in content personalisation, the industry standards for TV metadata, and more.

How does metadata affect content discovery on different platforms?

TV metadata enhances our ability to search for and discover new content in a variety of ways, from tagging programmes with relevant genres, cast, directors and keywords in order to make content discoverable to using complex algorithms to suggest content that aligns with our interests. If you’ve ever wondered how your streaming service recommends movies or shows that are similar to ones you’ve watched before or that the service thinks you’ll enjoy, it’s all down to the rich, structured metadata associated with each programme.

In the age of information overload, where users are spoiled for choice with thousands of viewing options, the difference between a good and great viewing experience often boils down to the platform’s ability to leverage metadata effectively, from tailoring recommendations for users to highlighting trending shows. The design of a platform’s interface also comes into play where if the interface makes content discovery more intuitive for the user, the less time they spend searching and more time enjoying their desired content.

How can accurate metadata enhance the user experience for viewers?

Accurate TV metadata enriches a viewer’s experience as it enables us to successfully navigate the maelstrom of content in order to find programmes that align with our tastes and preferences. This means less time spent sifting through endless options that don’t pique our interest.

Take the recent Amazon Freevee series Jury Duty starring James Marsden as an example (a show I highly recommend as well if you’ve not seen it) – is it a reality show, is it a fictional comedy? Well, essentially, it’s both – but dependent on how accurate the metadata associated with the show is, it could be difficult to discover if it is only tagged with one of those genres. Comedy fans could be missing out on some great viewing that is potentially sitting in a genre classification they might actively avoid so having the ability to apply a more accurate and richer variety of metadata to a programme makes the programme itself much more discoverable to a wider yet still targeted audience.

What role does metadata play in personalised content recommendations?

Finding the next binge-worthy series or perfect movie for a night in can feel overwhelming when there’s so much choice. This is where tailored content that’s personal to your interests makes things a whole lot easier. Think of it like a personal shopper who handpicks items based on your preferences while also knowing what you definitely don’t like. User profiles and suggestion engines work together to present you with shows and movies that match your tastes and viewing history. The more you watch or search, the better those recommendations become.

By merging what they know about the content thanks to enriched programme metadata with the insights they gain from your viewing habits, platforms can craft bespoke content recommendations for each user.

If you’ve just watched three edge-of-your-seat thrillers in a row, the suggestion engine can steer you towards more of this genre that you may not have discovered yet, or recommend other works by actors or directors associated with those films, and it’s the associated metadata that’s at the heart of these recommendations.

What are the industry standards for TV Metadata?

The industry has several standards, but two particularly notable ones are EBUCore and DVB.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) introduced the EBUCore, a comprehensive metadata set that provides a standardised framework for broadcasters and media professionals. It encapsulates everything from basic information like titles and descriptions to technical details like video formats and rights information.

On the other hand, the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) group’s standard addresses metadata for content discovery, focusing on electronic programme guides and similar applications. These standards, among others, ensure that content is correctly catalogued, easily discoverable, and consistent no matter where you’re accessing it from.

What best practises should content providers and broadcasters subscribe to ensure their metadata meets industry standards?

Firstly, content providers and broadcasters should ensure their metadata is both rich and detailed, encompassing everything from basic elements like show titles and episode numbers to in-depth details like cast, crew, genre, viewer ratings and images, even short trailers.

Having a diverse range of information not only enhances content discoverability but also paves the way for more personalised viewer recommendations.

Aligning with recognised industry standards like EBUCore or DVB can be invaluable. These standards offer robust frameworks that can guide content providers in crafting metadata that’s universally recognised and easily integrated across platforms.

By prioritising quality, accuracy, and consistency in their TV metadata strategies, content providers and broadcasters can ensure they’re not just meeting industry benchmarks, but also offering viewers a top-tier browsing and viewing experience.

What qualities do you think your team in Letchworth embodies that help you meet the best practises of industry standard metadata management and delivery?

Our Letchworth team has carved a niche for itself, becoming a beacon of excellence in metadata management and delivery. The team possesses a unique blend of qualities that embodies technical prowess, editorial precision, continuous innovation and an encyclopaedic knowledge of film and television.

The majority of the team have been with PA TV Metadata for many years and over that time we’ve developed a fantastic collaborative spirit which ensures a free flow of ideas, best practices and knowledge sharing. This synergy is vital in ensuring we’re always reacting to developments in industry standards and evolving in tandem with them.

Whether it’s developing our bespoke software, Pawa, or brainstorming new strategies to enhance metadata accuracy and streamline processes, our forward-thinking ethos, combined with our foundational strengths, ensures we not only meet but often surpass the best practices of industry-standard metadata management and delivery.

To learn more about our range of solutions around metadata management or content discovery, click here.