# TV Shows Scraper (TVMaze) — Episodes & Cast (`hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper`) Actor Search TV shows and scrape full data from TVMaze: name, genres, network, status, premiere/end dates, rating, IMDb id, summary — plus every episode (season, number, airdate, rating) and full cast. Fast clean HTTP, no key. - **URL**: https://apify.com/hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [hiper soft](https://apify.com/hipersoft) (community) - **Categories:** Videos, Other - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $0.0004 / item scraped This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## TV Shows Scraper (TVMaze) — Shows, Episodes & Cast Search TV shows and pull clean, structured JSON from TVMaze: name, genres, network, status, premiere and end dates, rating, IMDb ID, summary — and optionally every episode and the full cast. It runs over the free public TVMaze API, so it's fast and needs **no account and no API key**. Ideal for building TV databases, powering guides and apps, or running media research. ### Features - 📺 **Full show data** — `genres`, `network`, `status`, `premiered`/`ended`, `rating`, `runtime`, `imdbId` and cleaned `summary`. - 🎬 **Episode guide** — enable `includeEpisodes` for every episode's `season`, `number`, `airdate`, `runtime` and `rating`. - 🎭 **Cast lists** — enable `includeCast` to get actor and character pairs with country, birthday and photo. - 🆔 **Target by ID** — pass exact TVMaze `showIds` alongside or instead of keyword searches. - 🔗 **External IDs** — show records include `imdbId` and `tvdbId` for easy cross-referencing. - 🎚️ **Volume control** — `maxShowsPerSearch` (1–50) caps matches kept per search term. - 🧱 **Flat, normalized JSON** — typed `show`, `episode` and `cast` records with consistent fields. ### What you get One flat JSON record per item. Example show: ```json { "type": "show", "id": 169, "name": "Breaking Bad", "showType": "Scripted", "language": "English", "genres": ["Drama", "Crime", "Thriller"], "status": "Ended", "runtime": 60, "premiered": "2008-01-20", "ended": "2013-09-29", "rating": 9.2, "network": "AMC", "country": "United States", "scheduleDays": ["Sunday"], "scheduleTime": "22:00", "officialSite": "http://www.amc.com/shows/breaking-bad", "imdbId": "tt0903747", "tvdbId": 81189, "image": "https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/0/2400.jpg", "summary": "A high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer.", "url": "https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/169/breaking-bad" } ```` ### Input ```json { "searches": ["breaking bad", "the office"], "showIds": [], "includeEpisodes": true, "includeCast": true, "maxShowsPerSearch": 10 } ``` | Field | Description | | --- | --- | | `searches` | TV show titles or keywords, one per line. | | `showIds` | Specific TVMaze show IDs (optional). | | `includeEpisodes` | Also fetch every episode of each show. | | `includeCast` | Also fetch each show's cast (actor and character). | | `maxShowsPerSearch` | How many matches to keep per search term (1–50). | ### Use cases - Build a TV database with genres, networks, ratings and IMDb IDs. - Generate a full episode guide (seasons, airdates, ratings) for any show. - Map cast and character relationships across shows. - Cross-reference titles to IMDb/TheTVDB via `imdbId` and `tvdbId`. ### Pricing Pay-per-event: you're billed a small amount per run and per item scraped — you only pay for what you get. See the **Pricing** tab for current rates. ### FAQ **Do I need an account or API key?** No. The Actor runs over the free public [TVMaze](https://www.tvmaze.com) API, so there's no account and no API key to set up. **How many shows can I get per run?** Set `maxShowsPerSearch` (1–50) to cap matches kept per search term. Pass multiple titles in `searches`, or target exact `showIds`, to scale a single run. **Can I download episodes or video?** No. This Actor returns public metadata only — show, episode and cast details. It does not download any video content. **What's the output format?** Flat, normalized JSON with typed `show`, `episode` and `cast` records and consistent fields. Export as JSON, CSV or Excel. **Can I get episodes and cast, not just show details?** Yes. Enable `includeEpisodes` for every episode's season, number, airdate, runtime and rating, and `includeCast` for actor and character pairs with photos. ### Related Actors Building a media or entertainment dataset? Pair this with our other entertainment scrapers: - [YouTube Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/youtube-scraper) — video metadata, transcripts, comments and channel profiles. - [Steam Games Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/steam-games-scraper) — game prices, genres, platforms and Metacritic scores. - [Apple Podcasts Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/apple-podcasts-scraper) — podcast shows and episodes with RSS feeds and artwork. - [Spotify Scraper](https://apify.com/hipersoft/spotify-scraper) — tracks, artists, albums and playlists with no login or API key. ### Notes This Actor uses the public TVMaze API and returns public metadata only — no video content. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to TVMaze; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. # Actor input Schema ## `searches` (type: `array`): TV show titles or keywords (e.g. "breaking bad", "the office"), one per line. ## `showIds` (type: `array`): Specific TVMaze show IDs (e.g. 169). One per line. ## `includeEpisodes` (type: `boolean`): Also fetch every episode of each show (season, number, airdate, rating, summary). ## `includeCast` (type: `boolean`): Also fetch each show's cast (actor and character). ## `maxShowsPerSearch` (type: `integer`): How many matches to keep per search term. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Optional. The TVMaze API works without a proxy. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searches": [ "breaking bad" ], "showIds": [], "includeEpisodes": false, "includeCast": false, "maxShowsPerSearch": 10, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searches": [ "breaking bad" ], "showIds": [] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searches": ["breaking bad"], "showIds": [], } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searches": [ "breaking bad" ], "showIds": [] }' | apify call hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=hipersoft/tvmaze-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "TV Shows Scraper (TVMaze) — Episodes & Cast", "description": "Search TV shows and scrape full data from TVMaze: name, genres, network, status, premiere/end dates, rating, IMDb id, summary — plus every episode (season, number, airdate, rating) and full cast. Fast clean HTTP, no key.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "c9kGdBo5ndHa34uAK" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/hipersoft~tvmaze-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-hipersoft-tvmaze-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/hipersoft~tvmaze-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-hipersoft-tvmaze-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/hipersoft~tvmaze-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-hipersoft-tvmaze-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searches": { "title": "Show searches", "type": "array", "description": "TV show titles or keywords (e.g. \"breaking bad\", \"the office\"), one per line.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "showIds": { "title": "Show IDs (optional)", "type": "array", "description": "Specific TVMaze show IDs (e.g. 169). One per line.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "includeEpisodes": { "title": "Include episodes", "type": "boolean", "description": "Also fetch every episode of each show (season, number, airdate, rating, summary).", "default": false }, "includeCast": { "title": "Include cast", "type": "boolean", "description": "Also fetch each show's cast (actor and character).", "default": false }, "maxShowsPerSearch": { "title": "Max shows per search", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 50, "type": "integer", "description": "How many matches to keep per search term.", "default": 10 }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy (optional)", "type": "object", "description": "Optional. The TVMaze API works without a proxy.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": false } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```