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Date:
December 28, 2021

The Importance of Movie Metadata

Imagine you're one of the 209 million worldwide subscribers scrolling through the seemingly endless options of movies and television shows on Netflix every single day. What causes you to stop and choose what to watch? Was it the title? The actors? The genre? The description? The trailer? The information we use varies, but it does beg the question of where this information comes from in the first place?

The short answer is data-fed algorithm-powered search engines. Algorithms are computer programs that utilize descriptive data about a film or TV show to make title recommendations to the consumer. Those descriptors are known as "metadata." This post will detail movie metadata features, what metadata covers, how professionals obtain it, and its role in making titles and online search results more successful.

What is Movie Metadata?

Metadata are descriptive words, like keywords, that describe many aspects of a title, including the name, directors, actors, genre, filming locations, languages, and ratings. Content metadata provides search engines context about the title. Context enables a search engine to know aspects about a movie it couldn't tell from just the movie title alone.

Search engines or catalogs cannot effectively match a title to the consumer's personalized preferences and interests without adequate metadata. Without it, recommendations would be generalized and less predictive, relying on factors such as subscriber age, sex, and location rather than a history of what the consumer has watched before. The importance of using descriptive metadata to feed search engines quantitative and qualitative information cannot be underestimated.

While it may seem simple enough, creating an optimal movie description takes more training and strategy than you may realize.

How to Get Content Metadata

Without exception, every content distribution platform, from linear cable and satellite to streaming platforms to online stores, requires metadata. There is no standard list of metadata that all platforms subscribe to: some need more and some require less. Some have their own specific metadata requirements. The point is that someone must provide a minimal amount of it so the title can be inserted into their catalog and found by consumers.

Typically, it is the job of the producer to provide metadata. With very few exceptions, the platforms will not do it for you. The best way to get quality metadata is to hire trained professionals who know what to look for and understand platform, marketing, and regulatory requirements. The process, which we call "annotation," has experienced annotators watch a final cut of each title or episode and take detailed notes on classifiable elements impacting the film's rating. These experts also gather descriptive information and provide that to the producer who then submits it to the platform.

As international distribution is becoming more of a rule than an exception, skilled annotators can also highlight scenes that may run afoul of country regulators, censors, or cultural norms. We call this process "culturalization." Violence, sexuality, blasphemy, LGBTQ+, and other references may require changes before a title is permitted into foreign markets. Identifying these cultural issues before post-production can reduce localization costs and result in getting the content to more markets sooner than if done post-localization.

Why Your Titles Need Metadata

The old chestnut of "If a tree falls in the forest and no one's around to hear it, does it make a sound?" is the perfect analogy for metadata. If a great film is made and no one watches it, is it a great movie? It must first be discovered. That is where metadata comes in. Below we outline advantages to completing any missing metadata present within title catalogs.

Discoverability

Facilitating the consumer's ability to discover your title depends on the accuracy and completion of vital descriptors. Metadata will ensure your title is displayed for a search result that is relevant to and promotes your content.

Cataloging

Over 43,000 movie and TV episodes exist in the primary streaming platform catalogs in the US alone. Many of these catalogs are controlled by distributors who have licensing rights to titles so old that they lack age ratings of more complete metadata. Film annotation can provide the missing age ratings and metadata that increase likelihood of content discovery by audiences, thus increasing the value of and revenue from a title.

Unique IDs

Movies and TV shows often have the same name. The TV show "The Office" was released in the UK years before being reimagined for US audiences. "A Star is Born" has been made into a movie four times and a TV series that has no relationship to the films. Metadata contains a unique identifier to ensure no duplicate entries are created thus avoiding confusion while allowing easier updates to title records.

User Experience

Improving title metadata ultimately supports a better user search experience. Who hasn't used the remote to look through a platform's catalog and said to themselves, "Nothing's on?" By providing personalization and descriptive metadata, you add relevance to the search algorithm so the viewer can locate content that interests them.

Localization

Metadata is not complete if it only caters to one region. Titles are now released internationally, so listings should resonate with different cultures, customs, and languages. Global metadata strengthens the title's ability to comply with local regulations, take local culture into account, and build a loyal international audience.

Spherex: Global Listings & Metadata Services Provider

If your titles are missing data or localization metrics, Spherex manages a massive data store of over 25 million unique titles that can help fill in the blanks. Our data provide artwork variations and trailers in 45 languages spanning 140 countries and territories.

Our purpose at Spherex is to inspire a more tolerant and harmonious world, one story at a time. When it comes to movies and TV shows, one size does not fit all. Spherex has introduced a technology that culturally adapts content for markets worldwide to increase engagement, drive more revenue faster, and avoid legal and regulatory risk.

Contact us today to take the guesswork and risk out of your metadata collection and title management processes.

Related Insights

Teresa Phillips Joins OTT.X Buzz Panel to Celebrate Women’s History Month

On March 19, 2025, Spherex CEO Teresa Phillips joined a distinguished panel of female executives for the OTT.X BUZZ session—Women’s History Month Edition. This engaging discussion covered the latest trends in OTT and digital video while shedding light on women's unique experiences navigating the media and technology industries.

Moderated by Charlene Polite Corley, VP of Diverse Insights & Partnerships at Nielsen, the panel featured:

  • Teresa Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Spherex
  • Jenn Chen, Chief Revenue Officer, JWP Connatix
  • Maria Hellström, Chief Executive Officer, Codemill
  • Laura Martin, Managing Director, Senior Internet & Media Analyst, Needham & Company
  • Paige Sherman, Director, Digital Video Programming, Shout! Studios

Teresa shared valuable insights on leadership, career development, and the evolving role of women in media. Reflecting on her journey in a male-dominated industry and the U.S. Army, she emphasized the impact of mentorship and sponsorship in shaping successful careers. Offering practical advice for early and mid-career professionals, Phillips highlighted the importance of adaptability, recognizing career pivot points, and leading through times of transition.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion Throughout the session, the panelists tackled some of the most pertinent topics facing women and the industry today, including:

  • Work-Life Balance and Corporate Support: The panel explored how companies can better support caregivers, highlighting policies that enable a more inclusive and sustainable work environment.
  • The Rapid Evolution of AI in Media: With AI and automation playing an increasingly central role in content distribution, Phillips emphasized Spherex’s role in leveraging AI-powered tools to help studios navigate cultural and regulatory landscapes worldwide.
  • Leadership in a Shifting Industry: The panelists reflected on how they’ve adapted to significant industry changes, from the rise of FAST channels to the increasing role of data-driven decision-making in content strategy.
  • Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Media: The discussion tackled informal workplace dynamics that impact women’s success, from navigating corporate culture to advocating for fair representation at leadership levels.
  • Balancing Authenticity and Career Growth: Panelists shared insights on maintaining personal authenticity while adapting to workplace expectations in male-dominated spaces.

Looking Ahead: Women Driving Industry Innovation -The panelists reinforced that women’s leadership in M&E is not just necessary—it’s a competitive advantage. As AI, automation, and viewer behaviors evolve, diverse leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of streaming.

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Contextual Advertising in Media and Entertainment

As media consumption increasingly shifts toward digital platforms, advertisers are rethinking their strategies to capture audience attention effectively.Traditional targeting methods that rely on demographics, user data, and third-party cookies are becoming less viable due to evolving privacy regulations and changing viewer behaviors. In this landscape, contextual advertising has emerged as a powerful approach for media and entertainment companies looking to align advertising with content in a meaningful way. This shift has created both challenges and opportunities for advertisers.

What is Contextual Advertising?

Contextual advertising is the practice of placing ads that are directly relevant to the content a viewer is watching, rather than being based on their personal data or browsing history. This strategy leverages the tone, theme, and emotional context of content to determine the most suitable ad placements.

For example, an ad for a travel experience appearing during a heartwarming reunion scene in a film about family bonds is far more impactful than a generic placement. The key advantage is that contextual ads feel natural, non-intrusive, and more relevant, leading to increased engagement and improved ad recall.

A recent AVCA study found that 42% of viewers were more interested in brands and products when ads were placed next to relevant content, and 38% learned more about products shown in AI-enabled contextually targeted ads.

WhyContextual Advertising Matters to Media & Entertainment Companies

1. Ensuring Brand Safety in a Complex Media Landscape: With a vast and diverse content ecosystem, brand safety is a growing concern for advertisers. Ads appearing in inappropriate or controversial content can damage a brand’s reputation.

Unlike traditional keyword-based targeting, which may misinterpret context, AI-driven contextual advertising ensures that ads appear in culturally appropriate and brand-safe environments.

Brand safety varies from country to country. Content considered neutral in one region may be perceived as controversial in another. Effective contextual advertising solutions must account for:

  • Local sensitivities
  • Regulatory restrictions
  • Cultural norms

This adaptability protects advertisers from unintended associations while preserving viewer trust across global markets.

2. Achieving Cultural Relevance for Global Audiences: With media distribution now spanning international markets, a one-size-fits-all approach to advertising no longer works. Different cultures interpret content in unique ways, and an ad that resonates in one region may be ineffective—or even offensive—in another. Contextual advertising powered by scene-level intelligence allows advertisers to tailor messages that align with regional values, traditions, and cultural expectations, increasing engagement and brand affinity across markets.

3. Scene-Level Intelligence: Placing Ads at the Right Moment: Beyond broad thematic targeting, scene-level intelligence enables advertisers to place ads at moments of peak emotional engagement. AI-powered analysis can detect pivotal narrative shifts, humor, suspense, or joy, allowing brands to insert ads at moments where viewers are most receptive. This enhances ad recall and emotional association with the brand, making advertising more effective and less intrusive.

4. A Privacy-First Alternative to Audience Targeting: With increasing data privacy regulations, brands must seek alternatives to traditional audience-based targeting. Contextual advertising provides a privacy-compliant solution by relying on content analysis rather than user tracking. This ensures brands can still deliver highly relevant messaging without relying on third-party cookies or invasive data collection.

A Smarter Approach with Advanced AI Technology

One advanced solution driving innovation in contextual advertising is SpherexAI. This technology analyzes content at a granular level, identifying specific scenes and moments where viewer engagement peaks. By processing visual, audio, and narrative elements, it can determine optimal ad placement opportunities that complement rather than interrupt the viewing experience.

SpherexAI provides scene-level intelligence that helps advertisers navigate the complexities of global content distribution, ensuring that ads align seamlessly with viewer expectations. This approach allows brands to:

  • Maximize engagement
  • Maintain brand integrity
  • Unlock new revenue opportunities
  • Deliver a more natural and immersive ad experience

NextSteps

For more information on maximizing your ad impact, visit Spherex or stop by booth W1456 during the upcoming NAB Show in Las Vegas. Use code NS7763 for a complimentary exhibitpass.

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AI’s Breakthrough Year: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Global Entertainment in 2025

Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape how content reaches and resonates with global audiences this year. As discussed in The Wrap’s article, "8 Artificial Intelligence Predictions for 2025," industry leaders expect significant transformations in how AI will foster innovation across the media and entertainment landscape.

Spherex CEO Teresa Phillips highlights in the article how AI will enhance content creation, adaptation, and delivery. In 2025, generative AI will enable real-time, in-stream editing, Phillips explains, describing a breakthrough that could eliminate the need for multiple versions of content while ensuring cultural relevance across diverse markets.

This technological advancement marks a significant improvement in content localization. Using Generative AI, scenes and dialogue can be automatically adjusted to comply with regional regulations and cultural sensitivities while maintaining the original narrative. These changes are so seamless that viewers often don’t notice them, enabling content to be shared across cultural boundaries without requiring additional investment.

In addition to the impact of AI, Phillips predicts a paradox emerging in 2025's global media landscape. As economic and social instability increases, audiences will increasingly turn to entertainment as a source of comfort and stability. This trend is driving media companies to expand their international production capabilities, resulting in more locally produced content with global appeal.

For advertisers, this evolution presents an unprecedented opportunity. The intersection of global content and local cultural values creates moments of potential tension and opportunities for meaningful connection. By leveraging AI-driven insights, advertisers can craft messages that bridge cultural gaps and provide comfort to viewers navigating this complex media landscape.

As we move deeper into 2025, the role of AI in entertainment will continue to evolve, focusing not just on content creation but on fostering genuine connections across cultural boundaries. This transformation promises to make entertainment more accessible, relevant, and meaningful for audiences worldwide.

Read the full Wrap article here for more insights on AI's impact on the entertainment industry in 2025.

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