diff --git a/apps/vod/api_views.py b/apps/vod/api_views.py
index aeaec508..3d3f45f2 100644
--- a/apps/vod/api_views.py
+++ b/apps/vod/api_views.py
@@ -357,9 +357,9 @@ class SeriesViewSet(viewsets.ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
             if not episodes_fetched or not detailed_fetched or force_refresh:
                 force_refresh = True
                 logger.debug(f"Series {series.id} needs detailed/episode refresh, forcing refresh")
-            elif last_refreshed and (now - last_refreshed) > timedelta(hours=refresh_interval_hours):
+            elif last_refreshed is None or (now - last_refreshed) > timedelta(hours=refresh_interval_hours):
                 force_refresh = True
-                logger.debug(f"Series {series.id} refresh interval exceeded, forcing refresh")
+                logger.debug(f"Series {series.id} refresh interval exceeded or never refreshed, forcing refresh")
 
             if force_refresh:
                 logger.debug(f"Refreshing series {series.id} data from provider")
diff --git a/apps/vod/tasks.py b/apps/vod/tasks.py
index ae09cc74..6c08de15 100644
--- a/apps/vod/tasks.py
+++ b/apps/vod/tasks.py
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ def cleanup_orphaned_vod_content():
 def extract_date_from_data(data):
     """Extract date from various data sources with fallback options"""
     try:
-        for date_field in ['air_date', 'releaseDate', 'release_date']:
+        for date_field in ['air_date', 'releasedate', 'release_date']:
             date_value = data.get(date_field)
             if date_value and isinstance(date_value, str) and date_value.strip():
                 parsed = parse_date(date_value)