You'd think I'd get twice the podcasts, but instead I'm getting none.

November 12, 2011 9:32 AM

In the last few weeks, I suddenly have *two* Podcasts categories in my iTunes - and when I try to update the original one, my iTunes crashes. My google fu would indicate this is a rather rare problem. Help?

This all started when I went to a friend's site to subscribe to her podcast - instead of opening the podcast in my existing Podcasts category in iTunes, it established a new, second Podcasts category, which contained only that one Podcast. (A picture of what I mean is linked here.)

This wouldn't be that big a deal, if it weren't for the fact that A. I can't find a way to remove one of the categories, B. when I try to 'refresh' the original Podcasts category to get new episode, my iTunes crashes, and c. I can't find an easy way to transfer all the podcasts from one category to another. I've updated my iTunes to the most recent version, but, alas, the two categories are transferred over as well. (I've also updated my OS to Lion, but no dice.)

Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!

posted by Ash3000 to computers & internet (6 answers total)

Can you drag&drop or cut&paste the new podcast into the old playlist?
posted by Sys Rq at 9:49 AM on November 12, 2011

Alas, no, nothing from one category will be dragged into the other.
posted by Ash3000 at 9:50 AM on November 12, 2011

Back everything up, then try re-creating your library?
posted by bcwinters at 11:45 AM on November 12, 2011

What version of iTunes are you using?

Also, are the podcasts video and audio? I know that recently iTunes split my podcasts on the iPhone only into separate sections - audio podcasts are under music, and video podcasts are under videos. They remain in one podcast list in iTunes, but perhaps you're using an older version of iTunes that can't deal with the new feature?
posted by IndigoRain at 5:09 AM on November 13, 2011

I had this happen to me as well. Try right-clicking on both of the podcast entries one at a time. The older one should show an option to delete it. Once it's gone you'll need to re-add your old podcasts into iTunes. The files will still exist on your hard drive and you can drag the podcast folder from the Finder back onto iTunes.

Unfortunately once you do this you'll lose all your previous play counts. I couldn't find any other way around the problem. If it works, bcwinters suggestion of re-creating your library may be a better option.
posted by the biscuit man at 9:01 AM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

Thanks everyone for their advice on this - the biscuit man, I just followed your advice and all seems back to normal - thank you!
posted by Ash3000 at 12:19 PM on November 14, 2011