TV Time, a popular TV and movie tracking and recommendation app with more than 30 million registered users, has disappeared from Apple's App Store for several weeks, prompting questions about its future from the app's loyal fan base. a voice rose. 2.5 million users use the app every month to track what they're watching, comment on individual episodes, vote for their favorite characters, post images and GIFs, and share with other users Its disappearance is very important considering that we participate in social networks that allow us to connect with and connect with others. I couldn't help but notice.
On November 1, the company announced through a post on X that it was aware that the app had been removed from the App Store and was “working with Apple to get it back as soon as possible.” No other details were released about why the app was removed or how soon it would be reinstated. Users keep replying to the post hoping for updates, but unfortunately for TV Time fans, weeks have passed without a solution.
The app was reinstated on the App Store after TechCrunch contacted TV Time and Apple about its removal.
TV Time has long been operated by entertainment analytics platform Whip Media Group, which acquired the French startup formerly known as TVShow Time in 2016. Similar to other services like Reelgood and JustWatch, the app can direct users to where they can stream shows and movies, as well as suggest other series they might like based on their viewing activity.
While it was removed, existing iOS users could still access the app on their devices, but anyone trying to install TV Time on a new iPhone or iPad was out of luck. Additionally, due to the App Store removal, TV Time is no longer able to issue app updates to its current user base.
TechCrunch reached out to the company to find out why the app was removed.
According to Jerry Inman, Whip Media's chief marketing officer, the dispute with Apple involved mishandling of routine intellectual property (IP) complaints. After TV Time users uploaded TV and movie cover art to the app, a company claimed the app and issued a takedown notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Although TV Time is DMCA compliant, we asked the complainant to provide proof of ownership, such as a copyright registration, but we were unable to do so. Despite the lack of evidence, TV Time still says it has removed the images from both the TV Time platform and its metadata platform, TheTVDB.
However, Inman alleges that Whip Media did not agree to pay because the complainant also requested a financial settlement that was inconsistent with the DMCA.
“Despite Whip Media's compliance with the DMCA and its explanation to Apple, Complainant notified Apple that the complaint was 'unresolved,' and Apple removed TV Time from the App Store.” “I decided,” he says. The company subsequently resolved the issue with the complainant. At the time of this writing, the TV Time app was in the process of returning to the App Store.
But Inman warned that this is another case where Apple had too much power over companies doing business on its App Store platform.
“Apple has great power over app developers by controlling access to a huge market, and in this case it appears to have acted on the accusations without requiring hard evidence from the complainants.” Inman told TechCrunch.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
TV Time was removed from the App Store, but fans could still use the app on Android and the web at app.tvtime.com. According to data from app intelligence company Appfigures, TV Time has been installed 7.4 million times on iOS to date since Appfigures' tracking system launched on January 1, 2017 (the app itself was first released in 2012). ).