Fix 10play Links With Yt-dlp After Domain Change
Hey guys, are you having trouble with your 10play links in yt-dlp? You're not alone! It seems like the recent domain change from 10play.com.au to 10.com.au has caused some hiccups. But don't worry, we're here to break it down and see what's going on and how we can fix it. Let's dive in!
Understanding the 10play Domain Change Issue
What Happened?
The 10play website made a significant move by changing its domain name from the familiar 10play.com.au to the shorter and snappier 10.com.au. For regular users, this might seem like a simple update, but for tools like yt-dlp, which rely on specific domain patterns to extract content, it’s a game-changer. This change, which occurred a few weeks ago, has left many users scratching their heads as their favorite links suddenly stopped working.
Initially, some users found a temporary workaround by renaming the links to the old domain. However, as reported, this trick no longer works, leaving many in search of a more permanent solution. This is because yt-dlp's extractors are programmed to recognize specific patterns, and a domain change can throw these patterns off, resulting in errors and failed downloads.
Why Does This Matter?
For those who rely on yt-dlp to download or archive content from 10play, this domain change is more than just a minor inconvenience. It disrupts workflows, breaks scripts, and prevents access to content that was previously easily accessible. Imagine having a carefully curated list of shows you wanted to download, only to find that none of the links work anymore. Frustrating, right?
Furthermore, this issue highlights the importance of maintaining and updating tools like yt-dlp to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the internet. Websites frequently undergo changes, whether it’s a simple domain update or a complete redesign, and tools need to adapt to these changes to remain functional. This is where the community and developers play a crucial role in identifying and addressing these issues promptly.
The Technical Side
From a technical perspective, yt-dlp uses what are known as “extractors” to identify and process content from different websites. These extractors contain specific rules and patterns that allow yt-dlp to locate the video or audio stream, associated metadata, and other relevant information. When a website changes its domain, the old patterns no longer match, and the extractor fails to identify the content correctly.
In the case of 10play, the domain change means that the yt-dlp extractor for 10play.com.au is now looking for content on a domain that no longer exists. This results in the tool falling back on a generic extractor, which is not designed to handle the specific intricacies of the 10play website. As a result, users encounter errors like “Unsupported URL” because yt-dlp can no longer correctly interpret the new domain structure.
Digging into the Verbose Output
Let's break down that verbose output to really see what's going on under the hood. This is where the nitty-gritty details help us understand why yt-dlp is stumbling.
The Command and Initial Setup
First off, the command used was:
ytdlp
--skip-download
--convert-sub
srt
--write-subs
https://10play.com.au/have-you-been-paying-attention/episodes/2025/episode-15/tpv250818zmrk
-vU
This command tells yt-dlp to skip downloading the video itself, convert subtitles to SRT format, write subtitles, and provides the URL of the 10play episode. The -vU flag is super important because it tells yt-dlp to run in verbose mode (giving us all the juicy details) and to update itself to the latest version. This ensures we're starting with the most current version of the tool.
Checking Versions and Updates
The output shows that yt-dlp was initially running version [email protected]. It then checks for updates and finds a newer version, [email protected]. The tool proceeds to download and install the update. This is a good sign because it means we're working with the latest fixes and improvements. However, even after the update, the issue persists, indicating that the update didn't include a fix for the 10play domain change.
The Redirection and the Fallback
Here's where things get interesting. yt-dlp attempts to extract the URL:
[generic] Extracting URL: https://10play.com.au/have-you-been-paying-attention/episodes/2025/episode-15/tpv250818zmrk
It then encounters a redirect:
[redirect] Following redirect to https://10.com.au/have-you-been-paying-attention/episodes/2025/episode-15/tpv250818zmrk
This is the crucial part. yt-dlp is correctly following the redirect to the new domain, 10.com.au. However, after the redirect, it falls back on the generic information extractor:
WARNING: [generic] Falling back on generic information extractor
This warning tells us that the specific extractor for 10play isn't working as expected. The generic extractor is a fallback mechanism, but it's not designed to handle the unique structure of the 10play website, which leads to the eventual error.
The Error Message
Finally, we see the error message:
ERROR: Unsupported URL: https://10.com.au/have-you-been-paying-attention/episodes/2025/episode-15/tpv250818zmrk
This error confirms that yt-dlp cannot process the URL on the new domain using its generic extractor. The traceback further highlights that the issue originates from the generic extractor’s inability to handle the URL, leading to the UnsupportedError.
In summary, the verbose output clearly shows that while yt-dlp can follow the redirect to the new domain, it fails to extract the necessary information because the specific 10play extractor isn't working correctly with the new domain structure. This detailed analysis sets the stage for exploring potential solutions and fixes.
Potential Solutions and Fixes
Okay, so we know what's broken. Now, let's talk about how to fix it! There are a few avenues we can explore to get those 10play links working again.
1. Updating yt-dlp (Again!)
First things first, make sure you're on the absolute latest version of yt-dlp. Sometimes, a fix might be pushed out quickly, so it's worth double-checking. You can update using the -U flag:
yt-dlp -U
Even though the verbose output showed an update, it's always good to be sure. New commits and fixes are constantly being added, so staying current is key.
2. Reporting the Issue on GitHub
If updating doesn't solve the problem, the next best step is to report the issue on the yt-dlp GitHub repository. This is where the developers and community members can see the problem and work on a fix. When reporting, make sure to include:
- The URL you're trying to download.
- The verbose output (like we analyzed earlier).
- Any other relevant information, such as your operating system and yt-dlp version.
The more information you provide, the easier it will be for someone to address the issue. Plus, it helps prevent duplicate reports and keeps the focus on solving the problem.
3. Checking Existing Issues and Pull Requests
Before creating a new issue, take a quick look through the existing issues and pull requests on the GitHub repository. Someone else might have already reported the same problem, or a fix might already be in the works. If you find a related issue, you can add your comments and information to it, which helps consolidate efforts.
4. Temporary Workarounds (If Any)
Sometimes, there might be temporary workarounds that you can use while waiting for a permanent fix. These might not be ideal, but they can help you access the content you need in the meantime. For example, in the past, renaming the domain in the URL worked briefly. While that's no longer the case, keep an eye on forums and discussions for any new tricks that might surface.
5. Contributing to the Fix (For the Tech-Savvy)
If you're comfortable with Python and have some technical skills, you might even consider contributing to the fix yourself! yt-dlp is an open-source project, which means anyone can contribute. If you can identify the issue in the code and propose a solution, you can submit a pull request with your changes. This not only helps you but also benefits the entire community.
Example of Reporting an Issue
Let’s say you’re reporting the 10play domain change issue on GitHub. Here’s a quick rundown of how you might structure your report:
Title: 10play.com.au domain change to 10.com.au breaks extractor
Description:
The 10play website recently changed its domain from 10play.com.au to 10.com.au. This change has broken the yt-dlp extractor for 10play, resulting in an “Unsupported URL” error. The tool redirects to the new domain but fails to extract the video information.
Steps to Reproduce:
- Run yt-dlp with a 10play.com.au URL (e.g., https://10play.com.au/have-you-been-paying-attention/episodes/2025/episode-15/tpv250818zmrk)
- Observe the “Unsupported URL” error.
Verbose Output:
[Insert verbose output here]
Additional Information:
- yt-dlp version: [email protected]
- Operating system: Windows 10
By providing this level of detail, you make it much easier for someone to understand and address the issue.
Staying Patient and Engaged
Fixing issues like this can take time, so it’s important to stay patient and engaged with the community. Keep an eye on the GitHub repository for updates, and don't hesitate to ask questions or provide additional information if needed. The more we work together, the faster we can get things back on track!
The Role of Community
The yt-dlp community is a vibrant and active group of users and developers who are passionate about making the tool the best it can be. By participating in the community, you not only get help with your issues but also contribute to the collective knowledge and improvement of yt-dlp. Whether it’s reporting bugs, suggesting features, or even contributing code, every little bit helps.
Conclusion
The 10play domain change is a classic example of how website updates can impact tools like yt-dlp. While it's frustrating when things break, understanding the issue and knowing how to report it and contribute to the solution is empowering. By staying informed, engaged, and patient, we can all help keep yt-dlp working smoothly with our favorite sites. Keep those links handy, and let's get those videos downloading again soon!
Remember, the key takeaways here are to keep your yt-dlp updated, report issues thoroughly on GitHub, and engage with the community. Together, we can tackle these challenges and ensure yt-dlp remains a powerful tool for years to come.
