# TheTVDB Series & Episode Guide Scraper (`jungle_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper`) Actor Scrapes episode guide data from TheTVDB — the canonical episode-level metadata source powering Kodi, Plex, and Sonarr. Extracts full episode lists with air dates, runtime, overview, directors, writers, and guest stars for any series by slug. - **URL**: https://apify.com/jungle\_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [BowTiedRaccoon](https://apify.com/jungle_synthesizer) (community) - **Categories:** Videos, Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per event 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.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.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/platform/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 ## TheTVDB Series & Episode Guide Scraper Scrapes episode guide data from TheTVDB — the canonical episode metadata source powering Kodi, Plex, Sonarr, and most PVR software. You give it a list of series slugs; it returns a flat dataset with one row per episode, fully populated. No API key required. No account needed. ### What It Returns Each row represents one episode. The schema is flat and consistent. | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `series_slug` | string | The series slug from the URL (e.g. `game-of-thrones`) | | `series_name` | string | Series display name | | `tvdb_id` | integer | TheTVDB numeric series ID | | `network` | string | Broadcasting network or streaming service | | `status` | string | `Continuing` or `Ended` | | `first_aired` | string | ISO 8601 date the first episode aired | | `season_number` | integer | Season number | | `episode_number` | integer | Episode number within the season | | `episode_code` | string | Standard code — `S01E01`, `S02E03`, etc. | | `episode_title` | string | Episode title | | `episode_aired` | string | ISO 8601 date this episode aired | | `episode_runtime` | integer | Runtime in minutes | | `episode_overview` | string | English synopsis | | `guest_stars` | string | Comma-separated guest star names | | `directors` | string | Comma-separated director names | | `writers` | string | Comma-separated writer names | ### How to Use It Find the slug in the TheTVDB URL. For `https://www.thetvdb.com/series/game-of-thrones`, the slug is `game-of-thrones`. Paste it (or several of them) into the **Series Slugs** field. #### Input Parameters | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `seriesSlugs` | array | — | One or more TheTVDB series slugs. Required. | | `maxItems` | integer | 10 | Maximum episode records to return across all series. | #### Example Input ```json { "seriesSlugs": ["breaking-bad", "the-wire", "sopranos"], "maxItems": 200 } ```` #### Example Output Record ```json { "series_slug": "breaking-bad", "series_name": "Breaking Bad", "tvdb_id": 81189, "network": "AMC", "status": "Ended", "first_aired": "2008-01-20", "season_number": 1, "episode_number": 1, "episode_code": "S01E01", "episode_title": "Pilot", "episode_aired": "2008-01-20", "episode_runtime": 58, "episode_overview": "Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and turns to manufacturing methamphetamine to secure his family's financial future.", "guest_stars": "Max Arciniega, Aaron Hill, Raymond Cruz", "directors": "Vince Gilligan", "writers": "Vince Gilligan" } ``` ### Use Cases - Building episode-aware watchlist apps that need structured air date data - Populating PVR/media server databases with episode metadata - TV analytics — air date patterns, runtime trends, network comparisons across seasons - Training or augmenting language models with structured TV knowledge - Research: tracking writer and director credits across a series run ### How It Works Three-level crawl, all server-rendered HTML. No JavaScript execution required. 1. **Series page** — Fetches `/series/` to extract the TVDB ID, network, status, and first air date. 2. **Episode list** — Fetches `/series//allseasons/official` to collect all episode codes, titles, and detail URLs. 3. **Episode detail** — Fetches each `/series//episodes/` page to extract air date, runtime, English overview, and the full cast/crew table. Concurrency is kept moderate. TheTVDB is a community-maintained database. ### Notes - `episode_overview` is always the English translation. TheTVDB stores overviews in many languages; this actor selects English specifically. - `guest_stars`, `directors`, and `writers` are comma-separated strings. Empty when not listed on the episode. - The `maxItems` limit applies across all series combined. If you specify three slugs and `maxItems: 30`, you get approximately 10 episodes per series (order is non-deterministic within a run). - The scraper follows aired order (`/allseasons/official`). DVD order and absolute order are not crawled. *** *Data sourced from TheTVDB — the community-driven television database powering Kodi, Plex, and Sonarr since 2007.* # Actor input Schema ## `sp_intended_usage` (type: `string`): Please describe how you plan to use the data extracted by this crawler. ## `sp_improvement_suggestions` (type: `string`): Provide any feedback or suggestions for improvements. ## `sp_contact` (type: `string`): Provide your email address so we can get in touch with you. ## `seriesSlugs` (type: `array`): List of TheTVDB series slugs to scrape (e.g. "game-of-thrones", "breaking-bad"). Find the slug in the URL at thetvdb.com/series/. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of episode records to scrape (across all series) ## Actor input object example ```json { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "seriesSlugs": [ "game-of-thrones" ], "maxItems": 10 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # 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 = { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "seriesSlugs": [ "game-of-thrones" ], "maxItems": 10 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("jungle_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-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 = { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "seriesSlugs": ["game-of-thrones"], "maxItems": 10, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("jungle_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-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 '{ "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "seriesSlugs": [ "game-of-thrones" ], "maxItems": 10 }' | apify call jungle_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=jungle_synthesizer/thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "TheTVDB Series & Episode Guide Scraper", "description": "Scrapes episode guide data from TheTVDB — the canonical episode-level metadata source powering Kodi, Plex, and Sonarr. Extracts full episode lists with air dates, runtime, overview, directors, writers, and guest stars for any series by slug.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "25LSVcRC6gcnVEbd4" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/jungle_synthesizer~thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-jungle_synthesizer-thetvdb-series-episode-guide-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/jungle_synthesizer~thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-jungle_synthesizer-thetvdb-series-episode-guide-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/jungle_synthesizer~thetvdb-series-episode-guide-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-jungle_synthesizer-thetvdb-series-episode-guide-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", "required": [ "seriesSlugs", "maxItems" ], "properties": { "sp_intended_usage": { "title": "What is the intended usage of this data?", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Please describe how you plan to use the data extracted by this crawler." }, "sp_improvement_suggestions": { "title": "How can we improve this crawler for you?", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Provide any feedback or suggestions for improvements." }, "sp_contact": { "title": "Contact Email", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Provide your email address so we can get in touch with you." }, "seriesSlugs": { "title": "Series Slugs", "type": "array", "description": "List of TheTVDB series slugs to scrape (e.g. \"game-of-thrones\", \"breaking-bad\"). Find the slug in the URL at thetvdb.com/series/.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max Items", "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of episode records to scrape (across all series)", "default": 10 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```