BETA: tvOS/ iOS - Stack Movies into their Franchises

maddox · January 7, 2025, 5:27pm

As of the latest pre-release server and TestFlight version of Channels for tvOS/iOS, you can now optionally stack movies into their franchises when browsing your library.

You can also browse all of your franchises from the Movies section. This is true for the main library and Kids section.

Currently, movies are only stacked into franchises when you are browsing all of your movies. They are not stacked in content rows like Recently Added, Recently Watched, etc, as this doesn't quite make sense.

Releases

Shots

Here's what it looks like.

Franchise Stacking

Franchise Browsing

Franchise

Feedback

Let us know if you see any issues or have any questions about this new feature, in the comments below.

maddox · January 7, 2025, 5:30pm

Fofer · January 7, 2025, 5:59pm

NICE! New Activity dropped

Fofer · January 7, 2025, 6:07pm

I love this new feature. I have lots of franchises saved so this is a big help with organization. Very nicely done!

I enabled Stacking. One request would be for the browsing section where the single movies are mixed with the stacked franchise posters, that the franchise ones also have some sort of “badge” to indicate (that it’s essentially a folder.)
Because some franchise posters aren’t distinct enough to be able to tell at first glance that it’s actually many movies inside.

maddox · January 7, 2025, 7:07pm

Added in latest TestFlight beta:

tsheley · January 7, 2025, 7:20pm

Does it just automatically regroup your movies into Franchises or do I have to kick something off on the server?

Channels2021 · January 7, 2025, 7:23pm

This is great. Any plans for multiple versions? Thanks.

Fofer · January 7, 2025, 7:45pm

It’s automatic, but if you want to see the stacked Franchises in your “All Movies” view you have to first enable it, in the client app, under Settings > Library > Stack Franchises.

AeroR1 · January 7, 2025, 8:49pm

nice, thanks.

is the word "Collections" copy written? Tivo owns that as well?

tree2369 · January 7, 2025, 10:51pm

Great idea. Hate having to create a collection and then find the artwork. That was my only use for collections really so makes server management easier for me.

slampman · January 8, 2025, 3:08am

I turned on franchises but then Channels tells me that i dont have any. Right off the bat i know i have Beverly Hills Cop and the Die Hard collections. Channels doesn't seem to pick up on that

Fofer · January 8, 2025, 3:17am

Hmm, I have those franchises too, and see them properly displayed. Just checking but did you update to the latest pre-release of Channels DVR too?

slampman · January 8, 2025, 3:26am

You mean follow directions? Lol it works now thanks

cyberskier · January 8, 2025, 3:28am

I’ve noticed something similar. I have all 5 Die Hard movies, but it only picked up two of them for the collection. Most of mine were recorded, if that malters. I’m on the prerelease and using the beta app.

cyberskier · January 8, 2025, 3:35am

An update on this - I went into the “Manage” settings for one of the movies it didn’t pick up, and used the “Refresh Metadata” option. That fixed it, as it now appears in the collection. I’ll try the others when I have time.

Dennis_L · January 8, 2025, 10:32am

Where do you turn on/off the stacking? I didn't see anything on the server side

cyberskier · January 8, 2025, 10:43am

It’s a client setting. On iOS at least, Settings > Library > Stack Franchises. Make sure you’re on the latest prerelease of the server, and the beta of the client.

tsheley · January 8, 2025, 11:45am

Great addition! I have been waiting for this.

One thing I have noticed is in the “All Movies” list it puts the Franchise in the list based on the first movie it finds for that Franchise. For example the X-Men Collection is in the “D’s” since Dark Phoenix is the first move I have that is in that Franchise.

Same with Planet of the Apes. It is in the “D’s” since Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is first.

CPR · January 8, 2025, 4:11pm

Thank you I’m so excited for this,however I’m not very technically minded so I am not on the Beta or TestFlight,can I ask how long Beta roughly takes before it’s released officially or is it too early to say yet?
Are the Franchises generated from TMDB and can you create your own or edit existing ones?
Will you be able to choose the artwork?
Will there be options to alter the order say for example Star Wars which can be viewed in different ways?
Thanks again

maddox · January 8, 2025, 4:20pm

I’m not very technically minded so I am not on the Beta or TestFlight

Don't be afraid of the beta. We treat its stability as well as our stable version. The only thing is that you get features earlier and they will change as we develop them.

how long does Beta roughly take before it’s released officially or is it too early to say yet?

We don't post timelines.

Are the Franchises generated from TMDB

Yes.

Can you create your own or edit existing ones?

No.

Will you be able to choose the artwork?

No.

Will there be options to alter the order say for example Star Wars which can be viewed in different ways?

No.

Franchises are simply an extension of what TheMovieDB provides as metadata. We simply just use them.

If you want customizability in groups of movies, please use Library Collections.