diff --git a/apps/admin-ui/src/app/downloads/page.tsx b/apps/admin-ui/src/app/downloads/page.tsx
index b03620e..03e0b56 100644
--- a/apps/admin-ui/src/app/downloads/page.tsx
+++ b/apps/admin-ui/src/app/downloads/page.tsx
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ interface JobRow {
   movieYear: number | null;
   posterUrl: string | null;
   error: string | null;
+  hasSubtitle?: boolean;
+  subtitlePath?: string | null;
+  subtitleError?: string | null;
+  importedPath?: string | null;
 }
 
 function formatBytes(n: number): string {
@@ -317,6 +321,18 @@ export default function DownloadsPage() {
     loadJobs();
   }
 
+  async function retrySubtitle(id: string) {
+    const res = await fetch(`/api/v1/admin/downloads/jobs/${id}/retry-subtitle`, {
+      method: "POST",
+      credentials: "include",
+    });
+    const data = await res.json().catch(() => ({}));
+    if (!res.ok) {
+      alert(data.error?.message ?? "Ondertitel schrijven mislukt");
+    }
+    loadJobs();
+  }
+
   return (
     <>
       <Nav />
@@ -453,14 +469,27 @@ export default function DownloadsPage() {
                     {j.movieYear ? ` (${j.movieYear})` : ""}
                   </div>
                   <div className="muted downloads-source">{j.sourceTitle}</div>
-                  {j.error && <div className="danger-text">{j.error}</div>}
-                  {(j.status === "FAILED" || j.status === "FINISHED") && (
-                    <div className="action-row">
+                  {j.subtitlePath && (
+                    <div className="ok-text">Ondertitel: {j.subtitlePath.split(/[/\\]/).pop()}</div>
+                  )}
+                  {j.hasSubtitle && !j.subtitlePath && (
+                    <div className="danger-text">
+                      {j.subtitleError || j.error || "Ondertitel ontbreekt in map"}
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                  {j.error && !j.hasSubtitle && <div className="danger-text">{j.error}</div>}
+                  <div className="action-row">
+                    {(j.status === "FAILED" || j.status === "FINISHED") && (
                       <button type="button" onClick={() => void retryImport(j.id)}>
                         Opnieuw importeren
                       </button>
-                    </div>
-                  )}
+                    )}
+                    {j.status === "IMPORTED" && j.hasSubtitle && !j.subtitlePath && (
+                      <button type="button" onClick={() => void retrySubtitle(j.id)}>
+                        Ondertitel opnieuw
+                      </button>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
                 </article>
               ))}
             </div>
@@ -484,7 +513,17 @@ export default function DownloadsPage() {
                       <td>
                         {j.movieTitle}
                         {j.movieYear ? ` (${j.movieYear})` : ""}
-                        {j.error && <div className="danger-text">{j.error}</div>}
+                        {j.subtitlePath && (
+                          <div className="ok-text">
+                            Sub: {j.subtitlePath.split(/[/\\]/).pop()}
+                          </div>
+                        )}
+                        {j.hasSubtitle && !j.subtitlePath && (
+                          <div className="danger-text">
+                            {j.subtitleError || j.error || "Ondertitel ontbreekt"}
+                          </div>
+                        )}
+                        {j.error && !j.hasSubtitle && <div className="danger-text">{j.error}</div>}
                       </td>
                       <td className="muted">{j.sourceTitle}</td>
                       <td>{j.nodeName}</td>
@@ -494,6 +533,11 @@ export default function DownloadsPage() {
                             Retry
                           </button>
                         )}
+                        {j.status === "IMPORTED" && j.hasSubtitle && !j.subtitlePath && (
+                          <button type="button" onClick={() => void retrySubtitle(j.id)}>
+                            Sub opnieuw
+                          </button>
+                        )}
                       </td>
                     </tr>
                   ))}
diff --git a/apps/master-api/prisma/migrations/20260830210000_subtitle_content/migration.sql b/apps/master-api/prisma/migrations/20260830210000_subtitle_content/migration.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7f812a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/master-api/prisma/migrations/20260830210000_subtitle_content/migration.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_content" TEXT;
+ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_error" TEXT;
+ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_path" TEXT;
diff --git a/apps/master-api/prisma/schema.prisma b/apps/master-api/prisma/schema.prisma
index d4fb049..9f48c2f 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/apps/master-api/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -418,6 +418,10 @@ model DownloadJob {
   subtitleFileId Int?             @map("subtitle_file_id")
   subtitleLang  String?           @map("subtitle_lang")
   subtitleSource String?          @map("subtitle_source")
+  /** Cached subtitle body (downloaded at job create) */
+  subtitleContent String?         @map("subtitle_content") @db.Text
+  subtitleError String?           @map("subtitle_error")
+  subtitlePath  String?           @map("subtitle_path")
   error         String?
   createdAt     DateTime          @default(now()) @map("created_at")
   updatedAt     DateTime          @updatedAt @map("updated_at")
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/app.ts b/apps/master-api/src/app.ts
index 72d8f2e..f2b7c9a 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/app.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/app.ts
@@ -250,6 +250,15 @@ async function main() {
     await prisma.$executeRawUnsafe(
       `ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_source" TEXT`
     );
+    await prisma.$executeRawUnsafe(
+      `ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_content" TEXT`
+    );
+    await prisma.$executeRawUnsafe(
+      `ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_error" TEXT`
+    );
+    await prisma.$executeRawUnsafe(
+      `ALTER TABLE "download_jobs" ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS "subtitle_path" TEXT`
+    );
     await prisma.$executeRawUnsafe(`
       CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS "integration_settings" (
         "id" TEXT NOT NULL,
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/downloads/routes.ts b/apps/master-api/src/downloads/routes.ts
index a7ec1c9..a3a8910 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/downloads/routes.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/downloads/routes.ts
@@ -101,6 +101,10 @@ export function registerDownloadRoutes(app: FastifyInstance, config: Config): Do
         destFolderName: j.destFolderName,
         releaseTags: j.releaseTags,
         subtitleLang: j.subtitleLang,
+        subtitleSource: j.subtitleSource,
+        subtitlePath: j.subtitlePath,
+        subtitleError: j.subtitleError,
+        hasSubtitle: !!(j.subtitleFileId || j.subtitleContent),
         importedPath: j.importedPath,
         error: j.error,
         createdAt: j.createdAt,
@@ -148,5 +152,11 @@ export function registerDownloadRoutes(app: FastifyInstance, config: Config): Do
     return { job };
   });
 
+  app.post("/api/v1/admin/downloads/jobs/:id/retry-subtitle", { preHandler: requireAdmin }, async (request) => {
+    const { id } = request.params as { id: string };
+    const job = await downloads.retrySubtitle(id);
+    return { job };
+  });
+
   return downloads;
 }
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/downloads/service.ts b/apps/master-api/src/downloads/service.ts
index 194c2b2..f9b6845 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/downloads/service.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/downloads/service.ts
@@ -55,6 +55,26 @@ export class DownloadService {
     return new OpenSubtitlesOrgClient();
   }
 
+  private async downloadSubtitleFile(
+    fileId: number,
+    source: SubtitleSource
+  ): Promise<{ content: Buffer; fileName: string; source: SubtitleSource }> {
+    if (source === "org") {
+      const file = await this.orgClient().downloadFile(fileId);
+      return { ...file, source: "org" };
+    }
+    const osClient = await this.opensubtitles();
+    if (!osClient) {
+      throw new AppError(
+        "OPENSUBTITLES",
+        "OpenSubtitles.com niet geconfigureerd — kies een OS.org-hit of vul API-key + login in",
+        400
+      );
+    }
+    const file = await osClient.downloadFile(fileId);
+    return { ...file, source: "com" };
+  }
+
   async hasOpenSubtitles(): Promise<boolean> {
     return isOpenSubtitlesEnabled();
   }
@@ -393,6 +413,28 @@ export class DownloadService {
         : "com"
       : null;
 
+    // Download ondertitel meteen — anders start de film zonder zichtbare fout
+    let subtitleContent: string | null = null;
+    let subtitleFileName: string | null = null;
+    if (subtitleFileId && subtitleSource) {
+      try {
+        const file = await this.downloadSubtitleFile(subtitleFileId, subtitleSource);
+        subtitleContent = file.content.toString("utf8");
+        subtitleFileName = file.fileName;
+        if (!subtitleContent.trim()) {
+          throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "Ondertitelbestand is leeg", 400);
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        const message =
+          err instanceof AppError
+            ? err.message
+            : err instanceof Error
+              ? err.message
+              : "Ondertitel downloaden mislukt";
+        throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", message, 400);
+      }
+    }
+
     let beforeIds = new Set<string>();
     try {
       const before = await client.listTasks();
@@ -436,9 +478,36 @@ export class DownloadService {
         subtitleFileId,
         subtitleLang,
         subtitleSource,
+        subtitleContent,
+        subtitleError: null,
+        subtitlePath: null,
       },
     });
 
+    if (subtitleContent) {
+      try {
+        let movieId: string | null = null;
+        if (tmdbId) {
+          const movie = await prisma.movie.findUnique({ where: { tmdbId } });
+          movieId = movie?.id ?? null;
+        }
+        await prisma.librarySubtitle.create({
+          data: {
+            movieId,
+            tmdbId: tmdbId ?? null,
+            imdbId,
+            language: subtitleLang || "nl",
+            format: subtitleFileName?.toLowerCase().endsWith(".ass") ? "ass" : "srt",
+            content: subtitleContent,
+            fileName: subtitleFileName,
+            downloadJobId: job.id,
+          },
+        });
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.warn("[downloads] early library subtitle:", err);
+      }
+    }
+
     return job;
   }
 
@@ -575,32 +644,35 @@ export class DownloadService {
     let subtitle:
       | { language: string; extension?: string; contentBase64: string }
       | undefined;
-    let subtitleText: string | null = null;
+    let subtitleText: string | null = job.subtitleContent;
     let subtitleFileName: string | null = null;
-    if (job.subtitleFileId) {
+    let subtitleError: string | null = null;
+
+    if (job.subtitleFileId || job.subtitleContent) {
       try {
-        const source = job.subtitleSource === "org" ? "org" : "com";
-        const file =
-          source === "org"
-            ? await this.orgClient().downloadFile(job.subtitleFileId)
-            : await (async () => {
-                const osClient = await this.opensubtitles();
-                if (!osClient) {
-                  throw new Error("OpenSubtitles.com niet geconfigureerd");
-                }
-                return osClient.downloadFile(job.subtitleFileId!);
-              })();
-        const ext = file.fileName.toLowerCase().endsWith(".ass") ? ".ass" : ".srt";
-        subtitleText = file.content.toString("utf8");
-        subtitleFileName = file.fileName;
+        if (!subtitleText?.trim() && job.subtitleFileId) {
+          const source = job.subtitleSource === "org" ? "org" : "com";
+          const file = await this.downloadSubtitleFile(job.subtitleFileId, source);
+          subtitleText = file.content.toString("utf8");
+          subtitleFileName = file.fileName;
+          await prisma.downloadJob.update({
+            where: { id: jobId },
+            data: { subtitleContent: subtitleText, subtitleError: null },
+          });
+        }
+        if (!subtitleText?.trim()) {
+          throw new Error("Geen ondertitelinhoud beschikbaar");
+        }
+        const ext = subtitleFileName?.toLowerCase().endsWith(".ass") ? ".ass" : ".srt";
         subtitle = {
           language: job.subtitleLang || "nl",
           extension: ext,
-          contentBase64: file.content.toString("base64"),
+          contentBase64: Buffer.from(subtitleText, "utf8").toString("base64"),
         };
       } catch (err) {
-        const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Subtitle download mislukt";
-        console.warn(`[downloads] subtitle job=${jobId}:`, message);
+        subtitleError =
+          err instanceof Error ? err.message : "Subtitle download mislukt";
+        console.warn(`[downloads] subtitle job=${jobId}:`, subtitleError);
       }
     }
 
@@ -630,44 +702,127 @@ export class DownloadService {
         data: {
           status: "FAILED",
           error: ack.error || "Import mislukt of timeout",
+          subtitleError,
         },
       });
       return;
     }
 
+    if (subtitle && !ack.subtitlePath) {
+      subtitleError =
+        subtitleError ||
+        "Film geïmporteerd, maar node schreef geen .srt — update media-node (1.3.2+) of gebruik ‘Ondertitel opnieuw’";
+    } else if (!subtitle && job.subtitleFileId) {
+      subtitleError =
+        subtitleError || "Ondertitel niet meegestuurd naar node (download mislukt)";
+    }
+
     await prisma.downloadJob.update({
       where: { id: jobId },
       data: {
         status: "IMPORTED",
         importedPath: ack.importedPath ?? null,
-        error: null,
+        subtitlePath: ack.subtitlePath ?? null,
+        subtitleError,
+        error: subtitleError,
       },
     });
 
-    if (subtitleText) {
+    if (subtitleText && !subtitleError) {
       try {
         let movieId: string | null = null;
         if (job.tmdbId) {
           const movie = await prisma.movie.findUnique({ where: { tmdbId: job.tmdbId } });
           movieId = movie?.id ?? null;
         }
-        await prisma.librarySubtitle.create({
-          data: {
-            movieId,
-            tmdbId: job.tmdbId,
-            imdbId: job.imdbId,
-            language: job.subtitleLang || "nl",
-            format: subtitle?.extension?.replace(/^\./, "") || "srt",
-            content: subtitleText,
-            fileName: subtitleFileName,
-            downloadJobId: job.id,
-          },
+        const existing = await prisma.librarySubtitle.findFirst({
+          where: { downloadJobId: job.id },
         });
+        if (!existing) {
+          await prisma.librarySubtitle.create({
+            data: {
+              movieId,
+              tmdbId: job.tmdbId,
+              imdbId: job.imdbId,
+              language: job.subtitleLang || "nl",
+              format: subtitle?.extension?.replace(/^\./, "") || "srt",
+              content: subtitleText,
+              fileName: subtitleFileName,
+              downloadJobId: job.id,
+            },
+          });
+        }
       } catch (err) {
         console.warn(`[downloads] save library subtitle job=${jobId}:`, err);
       }
     }
   }
+
+  /** Re-download (if needed) and write sidecar next to already-imported video. */
+  async retrySubtitle(jobId: string) {
+    const job = await prisma.downloadJob.findUnique({ where: { id: jobId } });
+    if (!job) throw new AppError("NOT_FOUND", "Job niet gevonden", 404);
+    if (!job.importedPath) {
+      throw new AppError("INVALID_REQUEST", "Nog geen geïmporteerd pad — importeer eerst de film", 400);
+    }
+    if (!job.subtitleFileId && !job.subtitleContent) {
+      throw new AppError("INVALID_REQUEST", "Deze job heeft geen ondertitel gekozen", 400);
+    }
+
+    let content = job.subtitleContent;
+    let fileName: string | null = null;
+    if (!content?.trim() && job.subtitleFileId) {
+      const source = job.subtitleSource === "org" ? "org" : "com";
+      const file = await this.downloadSubtitleFile(job.subtitleFileId, source);
+      content = file.content.toString("utf8");
+      fileName = file.fileName;
+      await prisma.downloadJob.update({
+        where: { id: jobId },
+        data: { subtitleContent: content, subtitleError: null },
+      });
+    }
+    if (!content?.trim()) {
+      throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "Geen ondertitelinhoud beschikbaar", 400);
+    }
+
+    const ext = fileName?.toLowerCase().endsWith(".ass") ? ".ass" : ".srt";
+    const ack = await nodeConnectionManager.writeSubtitleAcked(
+      job.nodeId,
+      {
+        jobId: job.id,
+        videoPath: job.importedPath,
+        subtitle: {
+          language: job.subtitleLang || "nl",
+          extension: ext,
+          contentBase64: Buffer.from(content, "utf8").toString("base64"),
+        },
+      },
+      60_000
+    );
+
+    if (!ack.ok || !ack.subtitlePath) {
+      const message = ack.error || "Node schreef geen ondertitel (update media-node?)";
+      await prisma.downloadJob.update({
+        where: { id: jobId },
+        data: { subtitleError: message, error: message },
+      });
+      throw new AppError("SUBTITLE", message, 400);
+    }
+
+    await prisma.downloadJob.update({
+      where: { id: jobId },
+      data: {
+        subtitlePath: ack.subtitlePath,
+        subtitleError: null,
+        error: null,
+      },
+    });
+
+    return prisma.downloadJob.findUniqueOrThrow({
+      where: { id: jobId },
+      include: { node: { select: { id: true, name: true } } },
+    });
+  }
 }
 
 function mergeSubtitleHits(hits: SubtitleHit[]): SubtitleHit[] {
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/client.ts b/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/client.ts
index df077c1..92b0a2b 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/client.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/client.ts
@@ -144,9 +144,16 @@ export class OpenSubtitlesClient {
 
   async downloadFile(fileId: number): Promise<{ content: Buffer; fileName: string }> {
     const token = await this.ensureLogin();
+    if (!token) {
+      throw new AppError(
+        "OPENSUBTITLES",
+        "OpenSubtitles.com download vereist gebruikersnaam + wachtwoord (Instellingen)",
+        400
+      );
+    }
     const headers = this.headers({
       "Content-Type": "application/json",
-      ...(token ? { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` } : {}),
+      Authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
     });
 
     const res = await fetch(`${this.root()}/api/v1/download`, {
@@ -158,19 +165,22 @@ export class OpenSubtitlesClient {
       const text = await res.text().catch(() => "");
       throw new AppError(
         "OPENSUBTITLES",
-        `OpenSubtitles download mislukt (${res.status}): ${text.slice(0, 200)}`,
+        `OpenSubtitles.com download mislukt (${res.status}): ${text.slice(0, 200)}`,
         400
       );
     }
     const data = (await res.json()) as { link?: string; file_name?: string };
     if (!data.link) {
-      throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "OpenSubtitles: geen download-link", 400);
+      throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "OpenSubtitles.com: geen download-link", 400);
     }
     const fileRes = await fetch(data.link);
     if (!fileRes.ok) {
       throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", `Subtitle ophalen mislukt (${fileRes.status})`, 400);
     }
     const buf = Buffer.from(await fileRes.arrayBuffer());
+    if (!buf.length) {
+      throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "OpenSubtitles.com: leeg ondertitelbestand", 400);
+    }
     return {
       content: buf,
       fileName: data.file_name || `subtitle-${fileId}.srt`,
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/org-client.ts b/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/org-client.ts
index 7b9ce00..1e55637 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/org-client.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/opensubtitles/org-client.ts
@@ -101,6 +101,9 @@ export class OpenSubtitlesOrgClient {
       fileName = fileName.replace(/\.gz$/i, "");
       if (!/\.(srt|ass|ssa|vtt)$/i.test(fileName)) fileName = `${fileName}.srt`;
     }
+    if (!buf.length) {
+      throw new AppError("OPENSUBTITLES", "OpenSubtitles.org: leeg ondertitelbestand", 400);
+    }
     return { content, fileName };
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/master-api/src/websocket/manager.ts b/apps/master-api/src/websocket/manager.ts
index 3b5e8bc..8b9460c 100644
--- a/apps/master-api/src/websocket/manager.ts
+++ b/apps/master-api/src/websocket/manager.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import type {
   CreatePlaybackSessionAckPayload,
   ImportMediaAckPayload,
   ImportMediaPayload,
+  WriteSubtitleAckPayload,
+  WriteSubtitlePayload,
 } from "@media-cluster/protocol";
 
 interface NodeConnection {
@@ -36,6 +38,11 @@ interface PendingImportAck {
   timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
 }
 
+interface PendingWriteSubtitleAck {
+  resolve: (result: WriteSubtitleAckPayload) => void;
+  timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+}
+
 interface SyncState {
   syncId: string;
   fileIds: Set<string>;
@@ -48,6 +55,7 @@ class NodeConnectionManager {
   private offlineCheckInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null;
   private pendingSessionAcks = new Map<string, PendingAck>();
   private pendingImportAcks = new Map<string, PendingImportAck>();
+  private pendingWriteSubtitleAcks = new Map<string, PendingWriteSubtitleAck>();
   private syncState = new Map<string, SyncState>();
   private syncQueues = new Map<string, Promise<void>>();
 
@@ -146,6 +154,9 @@ class NodeConnectionManager {
       case "IMPORT_MEDIA_ACK":
         this.handleImportMediaAck(message.payload as ImportMediaAckPayload);
         break;
+      case "WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK":
+        this.handleWriteSubtitleAck(message.payload as WriteSubtitleAckPayload);
+        break;
       default:
         this.send(socket, createMessage("ERROR", { message: `Unknown type: ${message.type}` }));
     }
@@ -432,6 +443,14 @@ class NodeConnectionManager {
     pending.resolve(payload);
   }
 
+  private handleWriteSubtitleAck(payload: WriteSubtitleAckPayload): void {
+    const pending = this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.get(payload.jobId);
+    if (!pending) return;
+    clearTimeout(pending.timer);
+    this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.delete(payload.jobId);
+    pending.resolve(payload);
+  }
+
   private async handlePlaybackEnded(payload: PlaybackSessionEndedPayload): Promise<void> {
     await prisma.playbackSession.updateMany({
       where: { id: payload.sessionId },
@@ -530,6 +549,36 @@ class NodeConnectionManager {
     return acked;
   }
 
+  async writeSubtitleAcked(
+    nodeId: string,
+    payload: WriteSubtitlePayload,
+    timeoutMs = 60_000
+  ): Promise<WriteSubtitleAckPayload> {
+    if (!this.isOnline(nodeId)) {
+      return { jobId: payload.jobId, ok: false, error: "Node offline" };
+    }
+
+    const acked = new Promise<WriteSubtitleAckPayload>((resolve) => {
+      const timer = setTimeout(() => {
+        this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.delete(payload.jobId);
+        resolve({ jobId: payload.jobId, ok: false, error: "Subtitle write timeout" });
+      }, timeoutMs);
+      this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.set(payload.jobId, { resolve, timer });
+    });
+
+    const pushed = this.sendToNode(nodeId, "WRITE_SUBTITLE", payload);
+    if (!pushed) {
+      const pending = this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.get(payload.jobId);
+      if (pending) {
+        clearTimeout(pending.timer);
+        this.pendingWriteSubtitleAcks.delete(payload.jobId);
+      }
+      return { jobId: payload.jobId, ok: false, error: "Kan niet naar node sturen" };
+    }
+
+    return acked;
+  }
+
   createPlaybackSession(nodeId: string, payload: CreatePlaybackSessionPayload): boolean {
     return this.sendToNode(nodeId, "CREATE_PLAYBACK_SESSION", payload);
   }
diff --git a/deploy/docker/Dockerfile.master-api b/deploy/docker/Dockerfile.master-api
index 7f34c67..8594fa8 100644
--- a/deploy/docker/Dockerfile.master-api
+++ b/deploy/docker/Dockerfile.master-api
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ WORKDIR /app
 
 FROM golang:1.22-alpine AS node-build
 WORKDIR /src
-ARG MEDIA_NODE_VERSION=1.3.1
+ARG MEDIA_NODE_VERSION=1.3.2
 RUN apk add --no-cache git ca-certificates
 COPY node/media-node/ ./
 RUN go mod tidy \
diff --git a/node/media-node/cmd/media-node/main.go b/node/media-node/cmd/media-node/main.go
index e31c821..fc45feb 100644
--- a/node/media-node/cmd/media-node/main.go
+++ b/node/media-node/cmd/media-node/main.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/sthmedia/media-node/internal/streaming"
 )
 
-var version = "1.3.1"
+var version = "1.3.2"
 
 func main() {
 	if len(os.Args) < 2 {
diff --git a/node/media-node/internal/control/client.go b/node/media-node/internal/control/client.go
index db01546..406bf3a 100644
--- a/node/media-node/internal/control/client.go
+++ b/node/media-node/internal/control/client.go
@@ -392,6 +392,8 @@ func (c *Client) handleMessage(msgType string, payload json.RawMessage) {
 		go c.doRestart()
 	case "IMPORT_MEDIA":
 		go c.handleImportMedia(payload)
+	case "WRITE_SUBTITLE":
+		go c.handleWriteSubtitle(payload)
 	case "ERROR":
 		log.Printf("Master error: %s", string(payload))
 	}
@@ -460,10 +462,78 @@ func (c *Client) handleImportMedia(payload json.RawMessage) {
 		"jobId":        p.JobID,
 		"ok":           ok,
 		"importedPath": imported,
+		"subtitlePath": "",
+		"error":        errMsg,
+	})
+	if ok && result != nil && result.SubtitlePath != "" {
+		ack = controlMessage("IMPORT_MEDIA_ACK", map[string]interface{}{
+			"jobId":        p.JobID,
+			"ok":           true,
+			"importedPath": imported,
+			"subtitlePath": result.SubtitlePath,
+			"error":        "",
+		})
+	}
+	if werr := c.write(ack); werr != nil {
+		log.Printf("failed to send IMPORT_MEDIA_ACK: %v", werr)
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *Client) handleWriteSubtitle(payload json.RawMessage) {
+	var p struct {
+		JobID     string `json:"jobId"`
+		VideoPath string `json:"videoPath"`
+		Subtitle  *struct {
+			Language      string `json:"language"`
+			Extension     string `json:"extension"`
+			ContentBase64 string `json:"contentBase64"`
+		} `json:"subtitle"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &p); err != nil || p.JobID == "" || p.VideoPath == "" {
+		log.Printf("WRITE_SUBTITLE: invalid payload")
+		return
+	}
+	if p.Subtitle == nil || p.Subtitle.ContentBase64 == "" {
+		ack := controlMessage("WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK", map[string]interface{}{
+			"jobId": p.JobID,
+			"ok":    false,
+			"error": "ondertitel ontbreekt",
+		})
+		_ = c.write(ack)
+		return
+	}
+	raw, err := decodeBase64(p.Subtitle.ContentBase64)
+	if err != nil {
+		ack := controlMessage("WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK", map[string]interface{}{
+			"jobId": p.JobID,
+			"ok":    false,
+			"error": "ondertitel base64 ongeldig",
+		})
+		_ = c.write(ack)
+		return
+	}
+	subPath, err := importmedia.WriteSidecar(p.VideoPath, &importmedia.SubtitleFile{
+		Language: p.Subtitle.Language,
+		Ext:      p.Subtitle.Extension,
+		Content:  raw,
+	})
+	ok := err == nil
+	errMsg := ""
+	if err != nil {
+		errMsg = err.Error()
+		log.Printf("WRITE_SUBTITLE failed job=%s: %v", p.JobID, err)
+	} else {
+		log.Printf("WRITE_SUBTITLE ok job=%s path=%s", p.JobID, subPath)
+		c.scanner.IndexPath(subPath)
+	}
+	ack := controlMessage("WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK", map[string]interface{}{
+		"jobId":        p.JobID,
+		"ok":           ok,
+		"subtitlePath": subPath,
 		"error":        errMsg,
 	})
 	if werr := c.write(ack); werr != nil {
-		log.Printf("failed to send IMPORT_MEDIA_ACK: %v", werr)
+		log.Printf("failed to send WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK: %v", werr)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/node/media-node/internal/importmedia/import.go b/node/media-node/internal/importmedia/import.go
index 5b7fdc8..831ab88 100644
--- a/node/media-node/internal/importmedia/import.go
+++ b/node/media-node/internal/importmedia/import.go
@@ -86,21 +86,9 @@ func ImportMovie(opts Options) (*Result, error) {
 	result := &Result{ImportedPath: destPath}
 
 	if opts.Subtitle != nil && len(opts.Subtitle.Content) > 0 {
-		lang := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(opts.Subtitle.Language))
-		if lang == "" {
-			lang = "nl"
-		}
-		subExt := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(opts.Subtitle.Ext))
-		if subExt == "" {
-			subExt = ".srt"
-		}
-		if !strings.HasPrefix(subExt, ".") {
-			subExt = "." + subExt
-		}
-		stem := strings.TrimSuffix(destName, ext)
-		subPath := filepath.Join(destDir, fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s%s", stem, lang, subExt))
-		if err := os.WriteFile(subPath, opts.Subtitle.Content, 0o644); err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("ondertitel schrijven: %w", err)
+		subPath, err := WriteSidecar(destPath, opts.Subtitle)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
 		}
 		result.SubtitlePath = subPath
 	}
@@ -109,6 +97,35 @@ func ImportMovie(opts Options) (*Result, error) {
 	return result, nil
 }
 
+// WriteSidecar writes Title.nl.srt next to an existing video file.
+func WriteSidecar(videoPath string, sub *SubtitleFile) (string, error) {
+	if sub == nil || len(sub.Content) == 0 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("ondertitel leeg")
+	}
+	videoPath = filepath.Clean(strings.TrimSpace(videoPath))
+	ext := strings.ToLower(filepath.Ext(videoPath))
+	if ext == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("ongeldig videopad")
+	}
+	lang := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(sub.Language))
+	if lang == "" {
+		lang = "nl"
+	}
+	subExt := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(sub.Ext))
+	if subExt == "" {
+		subExt = ".srt"
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(subExt, ".") {
+		subExt = "." + subExt
+	}
+	stem := strings.TrimSuffix(filepath.Base(videoPath), ext)
+	subPath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(videoPath), fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s%s", stem, lang, subExt))
+	if err := os.WriteFile(subPath, sub.Content, 0o644); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("ondertitel schrijven: %w", err)
+	}
+	return subPath, nil
+}
+
 // ExtractReleaseTags keeps quality/group tokens from a release name.
 func ExtractReleaseTags(release, title string, year *int) string {
 	s := release
diff --git a/packages/protocol/src/index.ts b/packages/protocol/src/index.ts
index 53b43e2..fb27bb8 100644
--- a/packages/protocol/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/protocol/src/index.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ export type ControlMessageType =
   | "RESTART"
   | "IMPORT_MEDIA"
   | "IMPORT_MEDIA_ACK"
+  | "WRITE_SUBTITLE"
+  | "WRITE_SUBTITLE_ACK"
   | "PLAYBACK_SESSION_ENDED"
   | "PLAYBACK_SESSION_PROGRESS"
   | "ERROR";
@@ -137,6 +139,26 @@ export interface ImportMediaAckPayload {
   jobId: string;
   ok: boolean;
   importedPath?: string;
+  /** Absolute path of written sidecar, if any */
+  subtitlePath?: string;
+  error?: string;
+}
+
+/** Master → node: write sidecar next to an already-imported video */
+export interface WriteSubtitlePayload {
+  jobId: string;
+  videoPath: string;
+  subtitle: {
+    language: string;
+    extension?: string;
+    contentBase64: string;
+  };
+}
+
+export interface WriteSubtitleAckPayload {
+  jobId: string;
+  ok: boolean;
+  subtitlePath?: string;
   error?: string;
 }