EPG Utility: YApi2XML (discontinued)

[23skidoo]

The information is available for free. What you are paying for is the information compiled into one convenient source.

From where is it available for free? I'm not talking about scraping it off a guide website. Where is the data (CSV, XML, whatever)? Does each channel provide the schedule data for free? What about show synopses, cast lists, etc.? Where is all this stuff?

[whurlston]

I said it was free. I didn't say it was in a form that was usable for HTPCs. TMS employs people to gather the data through various means (calling content providers basically) and enter/compile it into a database that will output the results in an XML soap feed. The then charge for that feed.

Anyone can to do what TMS does, so the data is free.

[gunterhausfrau]

I agree on all counts, should be free, and is free, but not in easy to pull bite size chunks. The problem is that it is in everyones best interest to provide the data, but not in only ones best interest, so NBC has no vested interest in providing the data for ABC.

So we end up paying for what should be free. Sticks in my craw. I'd rather pay once to software than many times to someone to read tv guide and put a page together, but apparently not an option. grh.

[whurlston]

Thanks gunterhausfrau, that's what I was trying to say. I've been programming too much lately and find it difficult to form sentences that don't start with "foreach".

[proteus5]

Don't know if this means anything or not but if go over to the Yahoo tv site http://tv.yahoo.com/listings you have this message:



TV Listings Upgrade
Hi everyone,

We're pleased to announce that we have changed data providers to provide you with an enhanced TV Listings experience with better and more reliable listings.

The Enhancements & Benefits

More Provider Options: Some users have notified us that their cable/satellite providers were not available in our previous TV Listings. As a result, we found a TV Listings provider with a more comprehensive list of cable and satellite providers to offer. Over-The-Air HD Channels: We now offer Over-The-Air HD channel listings. Just enter your zip/postal code, select 'Antenna' as your provider type and you'll be on your way to viewing Over-The-Air HD channel listings in your area. Note, there is a bug where digital channels cannot be saved as favorites. We’re working through this and anticipate this being resolved shortly. Resolves Missing Channels: Users told us that some channels were missing from their channel lineup. With the new TV Listings, these issues should all be resolved. Resolves Time-zone Shifts: Previously, users with 'Antenna' settings in most time-zones were displaying incorrect time-shifting. We've corrected this issue so users will now see their listings within their respective time-zones. Updating Providers & Favorites
As a result of this upgrade, we're asking those of you who have previously set your location and cable/satellite provider to re-enter your information. This will ensure that you'll have the correct and most updated version of TV Listings. For those of you who have previously set your favorite channels list, we are also asking you to re-select your favorites to ensure all the correct channels are listed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

TiVo Users
While we upgrade our TV Listings services, the "Record to My TiVo" functionality will be unavailable for a few days. But rest assured we are actively working on this now and should be back very soon.

My Yahoo! Users
My Yahoo is upgrading services as well. As a result, TV listings may not be available for some users. If you are at My Yahoo! user, AT&T Yahoo! user or Rogers Yahoo! user, you can move to the new version which will support the new TV listings:
My Yahoo!: http://cm.my.yahoo.com/upgrade
AT&T Yahoo!: http://att.my.yahoo.com/upgrade
Rogers Yahoo!: http://rogers.my.yahoo.com/upgrade
If you are a Verizon Yahoo! user, please manage your TV listings on http://tv.yahoo.com/listings until the new version of Verizon Yahoo! is available. If you are a My Yahoo! Canada user, please manage your TV listings on http://ca.tv.yahoo.com/listings until the new version of My Yahoo! Canada is available.

Thanks to everyone for sending suggestions, feedback, and continued support. We appreciate your feedback and will continue to improve the TV listings page with new features you've been asking for.

Thanks!
Yahoo! TV
US: http://tv.yahoo.com/listings
Canada: http://ca.tv.yahoo.com/listings

[23skidoo]

I agree on all counts, should be free, and is free, but not in easy to pull bite size chunks. The problem is that it is in everyones best interest to provide the data, but not in only ones best interest, so NBC has no vested interest in providing the data for ABC.

So we end up paying for what should be free. Sticks in my craw. I'd rather pay once to software than many times to someone to read tv guide and put a page together, but apparently not an option. grh.

Which goes back to my original point, that there should be some consortium of TV providers to collate and distribute this data---for free. The TV industry is behind the times. Or lazy. Or both. In the meantime, Gemstar TV Guide has a lock on the TV listings service.

By the way, are we sure that TMS actually aggregates the data themselves, and doesn't just license it from Gemstar TV Guide?

[whurlston]

Which goes back to my original point, that there should be some consortium of TV providers to collate and distribute this data---for free. The TV industry is behind the times. Or lazy. Or both. In the meantime, Gemstar TV Guide has a lock on the TV listings service.

As mentioned, it's not in NBC's best interest to provide listing data for ABC just as it's not in Comcast's best interest to provide data for DirecTv.

By the way, are we sure that TMS actually aggregates the data themselves, and doesn't just license it from Gemstar TV Guide?

I don't see why it matters, but I don't think so.

[whurlston]

Don't know if this means anything or not but if go over to the Yahoo tv site http://tv.yahoo.com/listings you have this message:

Go 4 TV is not listed so a scraper would have to be written. I won't be working on one but someone else might.

[23skidoo]

As mentioned, it's not in NBC's best interest to provide listing data for ABC just as it's not in Comcast's best interest to provide data for DirecTv.

?? Who said NBC should provide listing data for ABC?

I don't see why [whether TMS licenses data from Gemstar or produces it themselves] matters, but I don't think so.

If TMS is just licensing the data from Gemstar, it might be cheaper for a SchedulesDirect type service to get it directly from Gemstar. But I assume (hope) the folks who put together SchedulesDirect have considered this.

[sub]

If TMS is just licensing the data from Gemstar, it might be cheaper for a SchedulesDirect type service to get it directly from Gemstar. But I assume (hope) the folks who put together SchedulesDirect have considered this.

I'm fairly sure TMS and Gemstar are providing separate sources of listings.

The SchedulesDirect did talk to Gemstar (and a lot of other companies), but there licensing costs are astronomical. There is no way it would have been feasible for use by Schedules Direct to provide a low cost service to the end user.