Ukrainian developer launches Ratingo, a real-time TV show and movie popularity tracker

From Personal Project to Global Hit: Ukrainian Developer Launches Ratingo for Honest TV Show Discovery

In a digital landscape often saturated with sponsored content and opaque algorithms, a Ukrainian IT specialist has launched a refreshing alternative. Evhen Rusakov, a talented developer, has unveiled Ratingo, a website designed to cut through the noise and showcase what audiences truly want to watch. Initially a passion project for personal use, Ratingo has now opened its virtual doors to the public, promising an unvarnished view of the entertainment world.

Cutting Through the Clutter: The Philosophy Behind Ratingo

Rusakov's motivation was clear: to build a platform that respects users' time and genuine interest. "I wanted to create a website that saves time, not sells me content," he explains. "A site that shows people's real interest, not a promotion algorithm. A site that helps you find genuinely interesting things, not 'another premiere you have to watch because it's everywhere.'" He envisioned a solution for the frustrating experience of endlessly scrolling through various streaming services, only to end up disappointed. "Instead of wandering through Netflix, Max, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, and others in search of anything worthwhile, you open Ratingo, see what people are watching right now, choose what suits you, and don't waste an evening on boring nonsense."

Unifying Data for Unparalleled Insights

What sets Ratingo apart is its sophisticated data aggregation. The platform pulls real-time information from a multitude of sources, including streaming services themselves, IMDb, Trakt, and TMDB. This wealth of data is then processed and refreshed every 10 minutes, ensuring that the rankings reflect the most current audience sentiment. The site offers distinct interfaces tailored for Ukraine and the rest of the world, further segmented into pages for films, TV series, and new arrivals.

Ratingo collects information from various streaming services and shows the true picture of popularity – what is currently at the top with people around the world. I've fine-tuned the rating system so that you can understand at a glance whether this series is worth your time or if it's another 'please watch, we invested 5 million in promotion'. Filters, trends, ratings, relevance – everything together gives an honest answer: 'this is being watched' or 'this can be skipped'.

This meticulous approach ensures a level of transparency that is often missing in the entertainment industry. By analyzing trends and filtering out promotional fluff, Ratingo aims to provide a truly objective recommendation engine.

A Deeper Dive into What's Hot

The main page of Ratingo is a dynamic hub, immediately presenting users with the top 3 trending releases, a curated list of the week's most significant premieres, and a fascinating "Risers and Fallers" category. This latter section vividly illustrates the shifting popularity of shows and movies over the past 30 or 90 days, offering a unique historical perspective on audience engagement. Clicking on any title reveals a comprehensive profile, complete with its poster, trailer, overall rating, a concise synopsis, genre, and cast information. Additionally, users can find practical details such as where to stream a particular title, episode release dates, season progression, age restrictions, and the total number of seasons. The platform even extends to recommending similar projects, ensuring that your viewing journey continues seamlessly.

Community and Contribution: Building a Better Platform Together

Ratingo isn't just a passive consumption tool; it actively encourages user involvement. Dedicated sections allow visitors to learn more about the project, explore its open-source code on GitHub, and even suggest or vote on new features. This commitment to community-driven development fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that Ratingo evolves in line with its users' needs. This user-centric philosophy echoes the broader trend of decentralized and community-focused tech initiatives emerging from Ukraine, a testament to the country's burgeoning innovation ecosystem.

This initiative by Evhen Rusakov is a powerful reminder that innovation often springs from a desire to solve a personal problem, which, when shared, can benefit a global audience. Ratingo stands as a beacon of clarity in the often-murky waters of online entertainment discovery.