MetaBroadcast has selected JustWatch for streaming metadata. Here’s what you need to know!

Online entertainment platforms are becoming more aware of the critical role metadata plays in their success. Without a metadata database to back up this knowledge, it can be challenging to reap the benefits that metadata can provide. 

To help, MetaBroadcast has selected JustWatch for streaming metadata. This will make it easier for platforms to access a more extensive wealth of streaming metadata, setting the stage for success.

What is JustWatch?

JustWatch is an entertainment metadata platform that amongst other services provides metadata on where users can watch content that is being streamed on the leading streaming providers. It scans c. 80 video streaming services in the UK including the major ones such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and of course, Netflix. JustWatch then pulls updated content information from these platforms, aggregates this data, and organizes it. 

In addition to providing this metadata to third parties this also allows JustWatch to provide an app and website that makes it easy to see what’s playing on streaming platforms, how much content costs on each platform, and explore the ins and outs of that content. 

Why is JustWatch’s metadata valuable?

What makes JustWatch so valuable is how it helps people find where films and TV shows live on streaming services. While any content is made more searchable by attaching more data, JustWatch’s system connects, structures, and optimizes this data, gearing it towards informing users. JustWatch’s metadata points users towards where they can watch content (which streaming services it’s on), the video resolution of the content, and whether it can be viewed as part of a subscription, rented or purchased. 

JustWatch’s aggregated catalogue solves one of the big frustrations viewers with multiple subscriptions face: searching through all their different streaming services trying to figure out what’s available and where. Their metadata provides a single source that informs users where to watch content and provides deeplinks to access that content easily via a web browser.

The result is a platform that makes finding where to stream the “perfect” movie or TV show a breeze. Viewers save time and frustration, and the metadata helps drive traffic to streaming platforms. 

For content platforms, the metadata that JustWatch has to offer is even more valuable. Platforms can license JustWatch’s metadata via MetaBroadcast’s integration to quickly provide their users with JustWatch’s metadata catalogue and inform their users where their chosen content can be viewed. But beyond that, you can use JustWatch’s data to direct the traffic on your platform, boosting content that might otherwise go unnoticed. 

How JustWatch compares to traditional TV guides and movie showtime listings

JustWatch certainly isn’t the first of its kind. TV guides, which fill a similar role, have been around for decades. To better understand the USP of JustWatch and how it builds on this more traditional form of content discovery, let’s take a closer look at the two. 

How a traditional TV guide works

Until relatively recently people used traditional TV guides either via print media or the electronic programme guide (EPG) on their TV, to find TV shows they wanted to watch before they aired. The timing was important because television only aired shows at certain times. 

TV guides, as provided by publications such as Radio Times, are generally formatted in a grid, listing out the various shows that will be broadcast, the times they would appear, and which channels you could find them on. The user would then note these times and tune in whenever it was time to watch the show. 

Sometimes, TV guides also included theatrical data on showtimes for local movie theatres. Including showtimes brought even more information to the viewer. They are also increasingly listing content that is available on the streaming platforms which when combined with TV Listings and theatrical information make the TV guide a one-stop portal for discovering new content. 

How JustWatch modernizes media discovery

Modern streaming platforms are increasingly popular and taking market share from the linear model of viewing. Content is increasingly available on-demand, meaning that each person can watch whatever they want at any point in time. And who among us hasn’t binge-watched an entire TV show’s catalogue of episodes in one sitting? Things certainly are different from when content was only available via scheduled broadcasts.

These changes made it important for content discovery to modernize too. MetaBroadcast’s integration with JustWatch plus our ability to incorporate other valuable metadata like reviews and synopses helps bring together all the information about a show or film that audiences need to make a watching decision. 

The benefits of using JustWatch to back your entertainment content platform

Not only does JustWatch aggregate entertainment metadata in a digestible format, but it also makes it easy to access the shows on their respective platforms. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more are just a click away on JustWatch.

Below are a few more benefits you and your users can enjoy by using the new MetaBroadcast JustWatch integration. 

1. Remove the guesswork from media consumption

First and foremost, JustWatch removes the guesswork from content consumption. Often, audiences have no clue what’s available on which platform. 

So they either spend several minutes each day scrolling through each subscription they have trying to  pick a show/movie they want to watch. The former leads to frustration while the latter leads to a lack of engagement. In both cases, you risk losing the audience member or worse still a subscriber. 

2. Simplify the content discovery process

JustWatch prevents this disengagement by streamlining the discovery process through its use of aggregation. Audiences can easily find where to stream the shows and movies they want to watch.

This improvement in the discovery process helps audiences find the content they can connect with faster. And for platforms, it’s a great way to drive the performance of content that might otherwise be underperforming.

3. Deeplinks to the leading content platforms

Lastly, JustWatch provides deeplinks to the leading content platforms so your users can watch their content of choice on the platforms they subscribe to with a single click.

Take your content platform to the next level by using MetaBroadcast’s JustWatch integration

Supplying your entertainment streaming platform with the metadata you need doesn’t need to be a complicated burden. MetaBroadcast offers many features to take your service to the next level, including our integration with JustWatch. Reach out to our team and see how we can empower you and your audiences.