Slug in use, but wrong series

[pjac]

Sonarr version (exact version): 3.0.6.1342
Mono version (if Sonarr is not running on Windows): 5.20.1.34
OS: Docker on Ubuntu 20.04 ARM64 using linuxserver.io/sonarr
Debug logs: Relevant lines below
Description of issue: Two series have the same name but different years; cannot add as slugs identical

I’m trying to add “The Invisible Man” from 2000 (https://thetvdb.com/series/the-invisible-man, ID 74460) but I already have a series called “The Invisible Man” from 1975 (https://thetvdb.com/series/the-invisible-man-1975, ID 76793). When I try to add the 2000 series, I am told that the slug “the-invisible-man” is already in use by the series “The Invisible Man”.

Invalid request Validation failed: 
 -- TitleSlug: Title slug 'the-invisible-man' is in use by series 'The Invisible Man'

The series have the same name on TheTVDB.com, instead of the usual practise of adding the series year to the title if there is a title clash. The 2000 series has been “certified” by TVDB and so I cannot edit it (https://thetvdb.com/series/74460/translate/eng). I can edit the 1975 series but that would break their editorial rules as it’s the first TV series with that name.

Can I force it to use a slug of “the-invisible-man-2000” somehow?

As this title is “certified”, it might be their policy now to not have years in the title. Would it be worthwhile updating the slug code to always add the year if not already present?

[ThirtyReset]

Same issue here, reverse order. I have “The Invisible Man” from 2000 and cannot add the 1975 series.

This seems like it will start being a bigger issue with TheTVDB moving to this new Certified set of practices. I second the idea of adding the year proactively to the title slugs, seems like a worthwhile idea. I’ve had enough issues with Plex over the years I already have my series folders set to always add the year to the folder name now.

[Taloth]

@pjac

As this title is “certified”, it might be their policy now to not have years in the title. Would it be worthwhile updating the slug code to always add the year if not already present?

I honestly doubt it. But I can’t find the official rules for titles anymore on their KB.
Did you report the duplicate title to them via a support ticket? Best case is you get a reply with them telling they’re fixing the title, or that their rules changed.

I’m not hugely opposed to adding years to the slug, but it doesn’t fix anything coz it’d lead to title conflicts during imports.

I also have to note that adding these old shows to Sonarr (and keeping them there after importing) is hardly worth it, as Sonarr’s primary usecase it to automate continuing shows.