Air Date Fixer — Corrects upcoming dates for your timezone outside the US

[Blueskies278 81]

Currently Alpha, Not Yet Released

 

If you're outside the US, you've probably noticed some shows appear in your Upcoming/Latest lists a day early (or late) — a show airing at 8–10pm US Eastern actually lands in the early hours of the next day in UK/European time, but Emby often shows the raw US broadcast date instead.

I originally built this as a standalone Docker container/script. After 3 months of testing ironing out the bugs, I decided it was worth turning into a proper Emby plugin so it's easier to set up and run natively.

I'm now running the plugin version on my UGEEN iDX6011 Pro through about 4 weeks of real-world testing before considering a beta release. If there's genuine interest, I'll release the first beta once testing wraps up — just wanted to gauge interest and share what's coming.

Air Date Fixer corrects this automatically, using Trakt's timezone-aware broadcast schedule data:

• Pulls each show's real broadcast timezone and converts it properly to your own local date
• Only touches US/Canada-broadcast shows — everything else is left untouched
• Works across three levels: episodes you already have files for, episodes already in your library without files yet, and future/upcoming episodes that only exist in cached metadata (so it also fixes what shows up under "Yesterday"/upcoming date headings, not just episode detail pages)
• Runs automatically in the background — no manual scripts or cron jobs needed
• Self-heals if Emby's own metadata refresh reverts a date

Requires a (free) Trakt account and API app (no VIP needed) — this is needed because Trakt is the only source that tells the plugin what time of day and timezone a show actually airs in (e.g. "8pm US Eastern"), which is the missing piece needed to work out whether it lands on a different calendar day once converted to your local time. Metadata sources like TMDB only give a plain date with no time/timezone attached, so there's nothing there to calculate the correction from.

Edited July 11 by Blueskies278

[sh0rty 767]

Really interested. The upcomng section for non US users was always bothering me. There was a project almost a decade ago that replaced US airdates with european ones, but it unfortunately died.

[Blueskies278 81]

9 hours ago, sh0rty said:

Really interested. The upcomng section for non US users was always bothering me. There was a project almost a decade ago that replaced US airdates with european ones, but it unfortunately died.

The date issues for non-US users also bothered me. Air Date Fixer is created from the ground up. The Alpha plugin is about 97% done, just a few more tweaks.

[Blueskies278 81]

I’ve encountered a significant bug that requires a full rebuild. I apologize for the delay and will keep you updated on our progress.

[Blueskies278 81]

Please note that Alpha 1 is in very early development. Unfortunately, it's only compatible with Emby Server version 4.9.5.0.

While I haven't encountered any issues with Alpha 1, there may be many bugs you might encounter with your setup. Please use with caution.

I'm currently working on a more robust version of the Air Date Fixer plugin, and it's looking very promising so far.

 

 

 

 

 

EmbyAirDateFixer.dll

Edited yesterday at 09:56 AM by Blueskies278

[sh0rty 767]

OK, I set everything up. But thhe Plugin does not work on my system. Airdates in TV Show Forecast did not change.

2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to write external token backup to 'C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata\plugins\AirDateFixerBackup' - fresh-install self-healing will not work until this path is writable
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.UnauthorizedAccessException: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata\plugins\AirDateFixerBackup' is denied.
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
	   at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.SaveTokens(TokenData tokens)
	Source: System.Private.CoreLib
	TargetSite: Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle CreateFile(System.String, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, System.IO.FileShare, System.IO.FileOptions)
	
2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Info App: [AirDateFixer] === LoadOrSeedTokens returned: non-null ===
2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Info App: [AirDateFixer] Starting refresh. Target timezone: W. Europe Standard Time
2026-07-27 11:26:21.902 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to fetch episode from https://api.trakt.tv/shows/agatha-all-along/next_episode?extended=full
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: The input does not contain any JSON tokens. Expected the input to start with a valid JSON token, when isFinalBlock is true. LineNumber: 0 | BytePositionInLine: 0.
	   at System.Text.Json.ThrowHelper.ThrowJsonReaderException(Utf8JsonReader& json, ExceptionResource resource, Byte nextByte, ReadOnlySpan`1 bytes)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlySpan`1 utf8JsonSpan, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, MetadataDb& database, StackRowStack& stack)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlyMemory`1 utf8Json, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, Byte[] extraRentedArrayPoolBytes, PooledByteBufferWriter extraPooledByteBufferWriter)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.ParseAsyncCore(Stream utf8Json, JsonDocumentOptions options, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.FetchAndCacheEpisode(String url, String tmdbId, TokenData tokens, TimeZoneInfo targetTz, String showTimezoneId)
	Source: System.Text.Json
	TargetSite: Void ThrowJsonReaderException(System.Text.Json.Utf8JsonReader ByRef, System.Text.Json.ExceptionResource, Byte, System.ReadOnlySpan`1[System.Byte])
	
2026-07-27 11:26:22.928 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to fetch episode from https://api.trakt.tv/shows/ahsoka/next_episode?extended=full
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: The input does not contain any JSON tokens. Expected the input to start with a valid JSON token, when isFinalBlock is true. LineNumber: 0 | BytePositionInLine: 0.
	   at System.Text.Json.ThrowHelper.ThrowJsonReaderException(Utf8JsonReader& json, ExceptionResource resource, Byte nextByte, ReadOnlySpan`1 bytes)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlySpan`1 utf8JsonSpan, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, MetadataDb& database, StackRowStack& stack)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlyMemory`1 utf8Json, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, Byte[] extraRentedArrayPoolBytes, PooledByteBufferWriter extraPooledByteBufferWriter)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.ParseAsyncCore(Stream utf8Json, JsonDocumentOptions options, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.FetchAndCacheEpisode(String url, String tmdbId, TokenData tokens, TimeZoneInfo targetTz, String showTimezoneId)
	Source: System.Text.Json
	TargetSite: Void ThrowJsonReaderException(System.Text.Json.Utf8JsonReader ByRef, System.Text.Json.ExceptionResource, Byte, System.ReadOnlySpan`1[System.Byte])

Clicking a Series Link form the error logs gives me this:

Edited 8 hours ago by sh0rty

[Blueskies278 81]

7 hours ago, sh0rty said:

OK, I set everything up. But thhe Plugin does not work on my system. Airdates in TV Show Forecast did not change.

2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to write external token backup to 'C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata\plugins\AirDateFixerBackup' - fresh-install self-healing will not work until this path is writable
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.UnauthorizedAccessException: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata\plugins\AirDateFixerBackup' is denied.
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize, Nullable`1 unixCreateMode)
	   at System.IO.File.WriteToFile(String path, FileMode mode, String contents, Encoding encoding)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.SaveTokens(TokenData tokens)
	Source: System.Private.CoreLib
	TargetSite: Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle CreateFile(System.String, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, System.IO.FileShare, System.IO.FileOptions)
	
2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Info App: [AirDateFixer] === LoadOrSeedTokens returned: non-null ===
2026-07-27 11:26:21.347 Info App: [AirDateFixer] Starting refresh. Target timezone: W. Europe Standard Time
2026-07-27 11:26:21.902 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to fetch episode from https://api.trakt.tv/shows/agatha-all-along/next_episode?extended=full
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: The input does not contain any JSON tokens. Expected the input to start with a valid JSON token, when isFinalBlock is true. LineNumber: 0 | BytePositionInLine: 0.
	   at System.Text.Json.ThrowHelper.ThrowJsonReaderException(Utf8JsonReader& json, ExceptionResource resource, Byte nextByte, ReadOnlySpan`1 bytes)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlySpan`1 utf8JsonSpan, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, MetadataDb& database, StackRowStack& stack)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlyMemory`1 utf8Json, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, Byte[] extraRentedArrayPoolBytes, PooledByteBufferWriter extraPooledByteBufferWriter)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.ParseAsyncCore(Stream utf8Json, JsonDocumentOptions options, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.FetchAndCacheEpisode(String url, String tmdbId, TokenData tokens, TimeZoneInfo targetTz, String showTimezoneId)
	Source: System.Text.Json
	TargetSite: Void ThrowJsonReaderException(System.Text.Json.Utf8JsonReader ByRef, System.Text.Json.ExceptionResource, Byte, System.ReadOnlySpan`1[System.Byte])
	
2026-07-27 11:26:22.928 Error App: [AirDateFixer] Failed to fetch episode from https://api.trakt.tv/shows/ahsoka/next_episode?extended=full
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.9.5.0
	Command line: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll -service
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Framework: .NET 8.0.27
	Runtime: C:/Users/blingbling/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 4
	Data path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\blingbling\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: System.Text.Json.JsonReaderException: The input does not contain any JSON tokens. Expected the input to start with a valid JSON token, when isFinalBlock is true. LineNumber: 0 | BytePositionInLine: 0.
	   at System.Text.Json.ThrowHelper.ThrowJsonReaderException(Utf8JsonReader& json, ExceptionResource resource, Byte nextByte, ReadOnlySpan`1 bytes)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlySpan`1 utf8JsonSpan, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, MetadataDb& database, StackRowStack& stack)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.Parse(ReadOnlyMemory`1 utf8Json, JsonReaderOptions readerOptions, Byte[] extraRentedArrayPoolBytes, PooledByteBufferWriter extraPooledByteBufferWriter)
	   at System.Text.Json.JsonDocument.ParseAsyncCore(Stream utf8Json, JsonDocumentOptions options, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
	   at EmbyAirDateFixer.TraktEntryPoint.FetchAndCacheEpisode(String url, String tmdbId, TokenData tokens, TimeZoneInfo targetTz, String showTimezoneId)
	Source: System.Text.Json
	TargetSite: Void ThrowJsonReaderException(System.Text.Json.Utf8JsonReader ByRef, System.Text.Json.ExceptionResource, Byte, System.ReadOnlySpan`1[System.Byte])

Clicking a Series Link form the error logs gives me this:

So sorry for the delay! The new version is a total rewrite with a completely different approach—I genuinely thought it would take weeks. Somehow I've made amazing progress and am just fixing a few minor bugs now. Fingers crossed! If all goes well, V2 will be up in a few hours. I can see why the other developer abandoned his project. This project is very complicated but I'm not going to give up.

Edited 1 hour ago by Blueskies278

[Blueskies278 81]

@sh0rty

Almost done, just cleaning up V2! I was going to give it a few more days of testing, but if you're eager to try it out, let me know and I'll upload it soon—as soon as I finish rewriting the new Air Date Fixer document. Update: Discovered a new bug.

Edited 1 minute ago by Blueskies278