diff --git a/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.html b/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.html
index 8a5be583e..8a2505391 100644
--- a/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.html
+++ b/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.html
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 <app-portal-detail-shell
     [backAvailable]="false"
+    [contentKey]="'m3u:' + channel().id"
     [title]="title()"
     [kindLabel]="kindLabel()"
     [description]="overview()"
diff --git a/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.spec.ts b/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.spec.ts
index 0a3d74a56..0f404cb65 100644
--- a/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/playlist/m3u/feature-player/src/lib/m3u-vod-detail/m3u-vod-detail.component.spec.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class StubPortalDetailShellComponent {
     readonly description = input<string>();
     readonly posterUrl = input<string>();
     readonly backdropUrl = input<string>();
+    readonly contentKey = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly progress = input<number | null>(null);
     readonly isLoading = input(false);
     readonly errorMessage = input<string>();
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-catalog-detail/stalker-catalog-detail.component.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-catalog-detail/stalker-catalog-detail.component.ts
index 37d267c7c..a648bef89 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-catalog-detail/stalker-catalog-detail.component.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-catalog-detail/stalker-catalog-detail.component.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@ import { StalkerSeriesViewComponent } from '../stalker-series-view/stalker-serie
 
 import { startStalkerVodDownload } from './stalker-vod-download';
 import { createStalkerVodWatchedToggle } from '../stalker-vod-watched-toggle';
-import { createStalkerVodDetailActions } from '../stalker-vod-detail-actions';
+import {
+    createStalkerVodDetailActions,
+    beginTrackedExternalLaunch,
+} from '../stalker-vod-detail-actions';
 import { createPlaybackSessionKey } from '@iptvnator/playback/util';
 
 @Component({
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@ export class StalkerCatalogDetailComponent implements OnDestroy {
     private readonly downloadsService = inject(DownloadsService);
     private readonly logger = createLogger('StalkerCatalogDetail');
     private readonly favoritesRefresh = createRefreshTrigger();
-    private playbackRequestId = 0;
+    playbackRequestId = 0;
     private currentPlaybackOwnerKey = '';
 
     readonly contentType = this.catalog.contentType;
@@ -101,7 +104,7 @@ export class StalkerCatalogDetailComponent implements OnDestroy {
             ? createPlaybackSessionKey({ kind: 'vod', sourceId, contentId })
             : '';
     });
-    private readonly playbackOwnerKey = computed(() =>
+    readonly playbackOwnerKey = computed(() =>
         JSON.stringify([this.playbackSessionKey(), this.contentType()])
     );
     private readonly selectedVodPosition = signal<PlaybackPositionData | null>(
@@ -116,7 +119,7 @@ export class StalkerCatalogDetailComponent implements OnDestroy {
      * keyed by its owner: a stale resolution for the previous movie must not
      * hold the next movie's toggle hostage.
      */
-    private readonly pendingStart = createPendingPlaybackStart<string>();
+    readonly pendingStart = createPendingPlaybackStart<string>();
     readonly playbackStartPending = computed(() =>
         this.pendingStart.isPendingFor(this.playbackOwnerKey())
     );
@@ -278,10 +281,7 @@ export class StalkerCatalogDetailComponent implements OnDestroy {
         selectedVodPosition: this.selectedVodPosition,
         discardPendingPositionLoad: () => ++this.positionLoadGeneration,
         beforeExternalLaunch: () => this.closeInlinePlayer(),
-        beginPendingStart: () => {
-            const startId = this.pendingStart.begin(this.playbackOwnerKey());
-            return () => this.pendingStart.settle(startId);
-        },
+        beginPendingStart: () => beginTrackedExternalLaunch(this),
         afterProgressReset: (playlistId) =>
             void this.catalog.refreshPositions(playlistId),
         download: (item) =>
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-series-view/stalker-series-view.component.html b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-series-view/stalker-series-view.component.html
index 0d7f72c7a..8c02ea4ce 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-series-view/stalker-series-view.component.html
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-series-view/stalker-series-view.component.html
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
         [posterUrl]="serial.info.movie_image"
         [backdropUrl]="serial.info.tmdb_backdrop"
         [trailerBackdropUrl]="heroPresenter.trailerBackdropUrl()"
+        [contentKey]="'stalker-series:' + serial.id"
         [playbackActive]="!!inlinePlayback()"
         (backClicked)="goBack()"
         (closePlayerRequested)="closeInlinePlayer()"
@@ -18,7 +19,10 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (hero.statusLabel(); as status) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="status" data-test-id="series-status-chip">
+                <app-meta-chip
+                    variant="status"
+                    data-test-id="series-status-chip"
+                >
                     {{ status }}
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
@@ -44,7 +48,9 @@
                 <app-meta-chip>
                     @for (genre of hero.genreChips(); track genre.label) {
                         @if (!$first) {
-                            <span class="meta-chip__sep" aria-hidden="true">·</span>
+                            <span class="meta-chip__sep" aria-hidden="true"
+                                >·</span
+                            >
                         }
                         @if (genre.facet; as facet) {
                             <button
@@ -76,10 +82,14 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (serial.info.rating_imdb) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="rating">★ {{ serial.info.rating_imdb }}</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip variant="rating"
+                    >★ {{ serial.info.rating_imdb }}</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
             @if (serial.info.rating_kinopoisk) {
-                <app-meta-chip>KP {{ serial.info.rating_kinopoisk }}</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip
+                    >KP {{ serial.info.rating_kinopoisk }}</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
         </ng-template>
 
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
index 4bb5a5456..b82a6549b 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.spec.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ describe('createStalkerVodDetailActions openExternal', () => {
         const closeSession = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
         const running = signal<ExternalPlayerSession | null>(null);
         const settlePendingStart = jest.fn();
-        const beginPendingStart = jest.fn().mockReturnValue(settlePendingStart);
+        let launchCurrent = true;
+        const beginPendingStart = jest.fn().mockReturnValue({
+            settle: settlePendingStart,
+            isCurrent: () => launchCurrent,
+        });
         const actions = createStalkerVodDetailActions({
             resolvePlayback: resolvePlayback as never,
             portalPlayer: { openExternalPlayback },
@@ -54,6 +58,7 @@ describe('createStalkerVodDetailActions openExternal', () => {
             closeSession,
             beginPendingStart,
             settlePendingStart,
+            supersede: () => (launchCurrent = false),
             setRunning: (session: ExternalPlayerSession | null) =>
                 running.set(session),
             resolveLink: () => resolveLink({ streamUrl: 'http://cdn/42.mp4' }),
@@ -180,6 +185,23 @@ describe('createStalkerVodDetailActions openExternal', () => {
         expect(t.openExternalPlayback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
+    it('drops the launch once a newer start superseded it', async () => {
+        const t = setup(() => 42);
+        const launch = t.actions.openExternal({
+            item: MOVIE,
+            player: 'mpv',
+            positionSeconds: null,
+        });
+        // Play/Resume (or another launch) began while the link resolved.
+        t.supersede();
+        t.resolveLink();
+        await launch;
+
+        expect(t.beforeExternalLaunch).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(t.openExternalPlayback).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(t.settlePendingStart).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    });
+
     it('drops the stream once another movie was selected meanwhile', async () => {
         let selected = 42;
         const t = setup(() => selected);
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
index 8e63f40b6..c5b82cb18 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-detail-actions.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,32 @@ import type {
 } from '@iptvnator/shared/interfaces';
 import type { PlaybackFallbackRequest } from '@iptvnator/ui/playback';
 
+/** A start the explicit launch joins: superseded by, and superseding, every other start of its host. */
+export interface PendingExternalLaunch {
+    settle(): void;
+    isCurrent(): boolean;
+}
+
+/** Builds a `PendingExternalLaunch` on a host that tracks its own request ids. */
+export function beginTrackedExternalLaunch(host: {
+    readonly pendingStart: {
+        begin(owner: string): number;
+        settle(startId: number): void;
+    };
+    playbackOwnerKey(): string;
+    playbackRequestId: number;
+}): PendingExternalLaunch {
+    const requestId = ++host.playbackRequestId;
+    const ownerKey = host.playbackOwnerKey();
+    const startId = host.pendingStart.begin(ownerKey);
+    return {
+        settle: () => host.pendingStart.settle(startId),
+        isCurrent: () =>
+            requestId === host.playbackRequestId &&
+            host.playbackOwnerKey() === ownerKey,
+    };
+}
+
 export interface StalkerVodExternalPlayEvent {
     readonly item: VodDetailsItem;
     readonly player: ExternalPlayerName;
@@ -51,8 +77,8 @@ interface StalkerVodDetailActionsDeps {
     /** Retires a stored-position read in flight, which would restore the row. */
     readonly discardPendingPositionLoad?: () => void;
     readonly beforeExternalLaunch?: () => void;
-    /** Marks the movie's start pending while the stream resolves; returns the settle. */
-    readonly beginPendingStart?: () => () => void;
+    /** The explicit launch as one of the host's starts: pending while it resolves, dropped once superseded. */
+    readonly beginPendingStart?: () => PendingExternalLaunch;
     readonly afterProgressReset?: (playlistId: string) => void;
     readonly snackBar: Pick<MatSnackBar, 'open'>;
     readonly translate: Pick<TranslateService, 'instant'>;
@@ -113,7 +139,8 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
             const stillSelected = () =>
                 deps.selectedVodId() === vodId &&
                 deps.playlistId() === playlistId;
-            const settlePendingStart = deps.beginPendingStart?.();
+            const pending = deps.beginPendingStart?.();
+            const superseded = () => pending?.isCurrent() === false;
             try {
                 const playback = await deps.resolvePlayback(
                     event.item.cmd,
@@ -121,7 +148,7 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
                     event.item.data.info?.movie_image,
                     event.positionSeconds ?? undefined
                 );
-                if (!stillSelected()) {
+                if (!stillSelected() || superseded()) {
                     return;
                 }
                 const replaced = await replaceOwnedExternalSession(
@@ -132,7 +159,7 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
                         Number(info.contentXtreamId) === vodId,
                     deps.logError
                 );
-                if (!replaced || !stillSelected()) {
+                if (!replaced || !stillSelected() || superseded()) {
                     return;
                 }
                 deps.beforeExternalLaunch?.();
@@ -147,7 +174,7 @@ export function createStalkerVodDetailActions(
                 }
             } finally {
                 externalLaunchesInFlight.delete(launchKey);
-                settlePendingStart?.();
+                pending?.settle();
             }
         },
 
diff --git a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-playback-controller.ts b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-playback-controller.ts
index bee6075ab..02fc2747c 100644
--- a/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-playback-controller.ts
+++ b/libs/portal/stalker/feature/src/lib/stalker-vod-playback-controller.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
     PlaybackPositionData,
     ResolvedPortalPlayback,
 } from '@iptvnator/shared/interfaces';
+import type { PendingExternalLaunch } from './stalker-vod-detail-actions';
 
 interface StalkerVodPlaybackControllerConfig {
     inlinePlayback: WritableSignal<ResolvedPortalPlayback | null>;
@@ -43,12 +44,19 @@ export class StalkerVodPlaybackController {
 
     constructor(private readonly config: StalkerVodPlaybackControllerConfig) {}
 
-    /** An explicit launch resolving its stream; the closure settles it. */
-    beginPendingStart(): () => void {
-        const startId = this.pendingStart.begin(
-            this.config.playbackOwnerKey?.()
-        );
-        return () => this.pendingStart.settle(startId);
+    /**
+     * An explicit launch as one of this controller's starts: it supersedes
+     * an earlier start and is dropped once a later one begins.
+     */
+    beginPendingStart(): PendingExternalLaunch {
+        const requestId = ++this.playbackRequestId;
+        const playbackOwnerKey = this.config.playbackOwnerKey?.();
+        const startId = this.pendingStart.begin(playbackOwnerKey);
+        return {
+            settle: () => this.pendingStart.settle(startId),
+            isCurrent: () =>
+                this.isPlaybackRequestCurrent(requestId, playbackOwnerKey),
+        };
     }
 
     async startVodPlayback(
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/serial-details/serial-details.component.html b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/serial-details/serial-details.component.html
index 7f00dc2b0..6300c3a4c 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/serial-details/serial-details.component.html
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/serial-details/serial-details.component.html
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
         [posterUrl]="info.cover"
         [backdropUrl]="getBackdropUrl(info)"
         [trailerBackdropUrl]="heroPresenter.trailerBackdropUrl()"
+        [contentKey]="'xtream-series:' + item.series_id"
         [playbackActive]="!!inlinePlayback()"
         (backClicked)="goBack()"
         (closePlayerRequested)="closeInlinePlayer()"
@@ -20,13 +21,19 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (hero.statusLabel(); as status) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="status" data-test-id="series-status-chip">
+                <app-meta-chip
+                    variant="status"
+                    data-test-id="series-status-chip"
+                >
                     {{ status }}
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (hero.year(); as year) {
                 <app-meta-chip>
-                    @if (info.releaseDate && discover.canOpenYear(info.releaseDate)) {
+                    @if (
+                        info.releaseDate &&
+                        discover.canOpenYear(info.releaseDate)
+                    ) {
                         <button
                             type="button"
                             class="meta-chip__facet"
@@ -43,7 +50,9 @@
                 <app-meta-chip>
                     @for (genre of hero.genreChips(); track genre.label) {
                         @if (!$first) {
-                            <span class="meta-chip__sep" aria-hidden="true">·</span>
+                            <span class="meta-chip__sep" aria-hidden="true"
+                                >·</span
+                            >
                         }
                         @if (genre.facet; as facet) {
                             <button
@@ -60,7 +69,9 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (info.episode_run_time) {
-                <app-meta-chip>{{ info.episode_run_time }} min/ep</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip
+                    >{{ info.episode_run_time }} min/ep</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
             @for (country of hero.countryChips(); track country.label) {
                 <app-meta-chip>
@@ -78,7 +89,9 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (info.rating) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="rating">★ {{ info.rating }}</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip variant="rating"
+                    >★ {{ info.rating }}</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
         </ng-template>
 
diff --git a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-route.component.html b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-route.component.html
index e58f63793..b2a432df1 100644
--- a/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-route.component.html
+++ b/libs/portal/xtream/feature/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details-route.component.html
@@ -38,8 +38,10 @@
             />
             <app-detail-icon-button
                 [label]="
-                    (isWatched() ? 'XTREAM.MARK_UNWATCHED' : 'XTREAM.MARK_WATCHED')
-                        | translate
+                    (isWatched()
+                        ? 'XTREAM.MARK_UNWATCHED'
+                        : 'XTREAM.MARK_WATCHED'
+                    ) | translate
                 "
                 [icon]="isWatched() ? 'check_circle' : 'check_circle_outline'"
                 tone="watched"
@@ -173,12 +175,13 @@
             @if (multiSource.hasAlternatives()) {
                 <span class="source-caption__extra">
                     @if (caption.alternativeCount === 1) {
-                        {{ 'PORTALS.MULTI_SOURCE.ALSO_FOUND_IN_ONE' | translate }}
+                        {{
+                            'PORTALS.MULTI_SOURCE.ALSO_FOUND_IN_ONE' | translate
+                        }}
                     } @else {
                         {{
                             'PORTALS.MULTI_SOURCE.ALSO_FOUND_IN_OTHER'
-                                | translate
-                                    : { count: caption.alternativeCount }
+                                | translate: { count: caption.alternativeCount }
                         }}
                     }
                 </span>
@@ -192,7 +195,9 @@
     />
     @if (selectedVodInfo()?.rating_kinopoisk; as kinopoisk) {
         <div class="details__meta-item">
-            <span class="label">{{ 'XTREAM.KINOPOISK_RATING' | translate }}</span>
+            <span class="label">{{
+                'XTREAM.KINOPOISK_RATING' | translate
+            }}</span>
             <span class="value">{{ kinopoisk }}</span>
         </div>
     }
@@ -236,6 +241,7 @@
         [backdropUrl]="getBackdropUrl(info)"
         [progress]="hero.progress()"
         [trailerBackdropUrl]="trailerBackdropUrl()"
+        [contentKey]="'xtream-vod:' + selectedVodId()"
         [playbackActive]="!!inlinePlayback()"
         (backClicked)="goBack()"
         (closePlayerRequested)="closeInlinePlayer()"
@@ -300,7 +306,9 @@
                 </app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (info.rating_imdb) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="rating">★ {{ info.rating_imdb }}</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip variant="rating"
+                    >★ {{ info.rating_imdb }}</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
             @if (isDownloaded()) {
                 <app-meta-chip variant="status">
@@ -351,7 +359,9 @@
                 <app-meta-chip>{{ fallback.year }}</app-meta-chip>
             }
             @if (fallback.rating) {
-                <app-meta-chip variant="rating">★ {{ fallback.rating }}</app-meta-chip>
+                <app-meta-chip variant="rating"
+                    >★ {{ fallback.rating }}</app-meta-chip
+                >
             }
             @if (fallback.added) {
                 <app-meta-chip>{{ fallback.added }}</app-meta-chip>
diff --git a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.spec.ts b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.spec.ts
index 03263496c..6fe106423 100644
--- a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.spec.ts
@@ -231,6 +231,24 @@ describe('ContentHeroComponent cinematic layout', () => {
         expect(mute?.getAttribute('aria-pressed')).toBe('true');
     });
 
+    it('keys the layout on the content identity when enrichment renames the title', () => {
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('contentKey', 'm3u:42');
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('title', 'Channel name');
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('posterUrl', 'poster.jpg');
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        expect(host().querySelector('.hero--compact')).toBeTruthy();
+
+        // TMDB replaces the title and brings a backdrop: same content.
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('title', 'Proper Title (2021)');
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('backdropUrl', 'wide.jpg');
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        expect(host().querySelector('.hero--compact')).toBeTruthy();
+
+        fixture.componentRef.setInput('contentKey', 'm3u:43');
+        fixture.detectChanges();
+        expect(host().querySelector('.hero--compact')).toBeNull();
+    });
+
     it('places the actions before the credits slot', () => {
         fixture.componentRef.setInput('title', 'Black Harbor');
         fixture.detectChanges();
diff --git a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.ts b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.ts
index 908884cdd..5917e374e 100644
--- a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/content-hero/content-hero.component.ts
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ export class ContentHeroComponent {
     readonly description = input<string>();
     readonly posterUrl = input<string>();
     readonly backdropUrl = input<string>();
+    /**
+     * Stable identity of the shown title (provider + id). The layout is
+     * decided once per identity; enrichment may replace the title itself.
+     */
+    readonly contentKey = input<string | null>(null);
     /** 0–100 watched share; renders the resume bar above the actions. */
     readonly progress = input<number | null>(null);
     /** With the setting on, this trailer plays muted behind the details. */
@@ -87,10 +92,11 @@ export class ContentHeroComponent {
     /**
      * Decided once per title: a backdrop that TMDB enrichment adds a moment
      * later fills the compact hero instead of growing it under the user's
-     * cursor. The title survives the merge; the poster may not.
+     * cursor. Keyed by `contentKey`, falling back to the title for hosts
+     * without one.
      */
     readonly layout = linkedSignal<string | undefined, ContentHeroLayout>({
-        source: () => this.title(),
+        source: () => this.contentKey() ?? this.title(),
         computation: () =>
             untracked(() => this.hasRealBackdrop()) ? 'stage' : 'compact',
     });
diff --git a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.html b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.html
index 2153d8557..dbe91752c 100644
--- a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.html
+++ b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.html
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
             [backdropUrl]="backdropUrl()"
             [progress]="progress()"
             [trailerBackdropUrl]="trailerBackdropUrl()"
+            [contentKey]="contentKey()"
             [isLoading]="isLoading()"
             [errorMessage]="errorMessage()"
         >
diff --git a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.ts b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.ts
index f94266f4a..de069c8e7 100644
--- a/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/components/src/lib/portal-detail-shell/portal-detail-shell.component.ts
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ export class PortalDetailShellComponent {
     readonly progress = input<number | null>(null);
     /** Trailer embed to play muted behind the hero, when the setting is on. */
     readonly trailerBackdropUrl = input<string | null>(null);
+    /** Stable identity of the shown title; see `ContentHeroComponent.contentKey`. */
+    readonly contentKey = input<string | null>(null);
     readonly isLoading = input(false);
     readonly errorMessage = input<string>();
     readonly backLabel = input<string>();
diff --git a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.html b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.html
index 7bdb4af17..c47f32016 100644
--- a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.html
+++ b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.html
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     [backdropUrl]="meta.backdropUrl"
     [progress]="hero.progress()"
     [trailerBackdropUrl]="trailerBackdropUrl()"
+    [contentKey]="contentKey()"
     [playbackActive]="!!inlinePlayback()"
     (backClicked)="goBack()"
     (closePlayerRequested)="closeInlinePlayback()"
@@ -68,7 +69,9 @@
             </app-meta-chip>
         }
         @if (meta.ratingImdb) {
-            <app-meta-chip variant="rating">★ {{ meta.ratingImdb }}</app-meta-chip>
+            <app-meta-chip variant="rating"
+                >★ {{ meta.ratingImdb }}</app-meta-chip
+            >
         }
         @if (isDownloaded()) {
             <app-meta-chip variant="status">
@@ -150,7 +153,9 @@
             @if (isDownloaded()) {
                 @if (externalPrimaryButtonState() === 'idle') {
                     <app-detail-icon-button
-                        [label]="'PORTALS.MULTI_SOURCE.PLAY_FROM_SOURCE' | translate"
+                        [label]="
+                            'PORTALS.MULTI_SOURCE.PLAY_FROM_SOURCE' | translate
+                        "
                         icon="play_arrow"
                         testId="vod-play-provider"
                         (pressed)="onProviderAction()"
diff --git a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.ts b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.ts
index 921ec2150..c4d398273 100644
--- a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/vod-details/vod-details.component.ts
@@ -215,6 +215,10 @@ export class VodDetailsComponent {
     readonly trailerEmbedUrl = computed(() =>
         youtubeEmbedUrl(this.normalizedMeta().youtubeTrailer)
     );
+    /** Provider + id: the hero keys its one-time layout decision on it. */
+    readonly contentKey = computed(
+        () => `${this.item().type}:${getVodNumericId(this.item())}`
+    );
     /** Settings → Playback → Play trailers in details background. */
     readonly trailerBackdropUrl = computed(() =>
         this.settingsStore.detailTrailerBackdrop?.() === true