The EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is what transforms a list of channels into a proper TV experience. Without it, you're browsing channel names with no idea what's currently on. Getting it working correctly is often the last step people struggle with.
How EPG Works in IPTV
Your IPTV player fetches an XMLTV file from a URL — either provided by your IPTV service or from a third-party EPG source. This file contains schedule data for each channel: show name, description, start/end time. The player then overlays this onto your channel list, showing what's currently on and what's coming next.
Setting Up EPG in TiViMate
- Go to Settings → EPG
- If your M3U URL already includes EPG data, it loads automatically
- If not, enter your provider's XMLTV EPG URL under EPG Sources
- Set refresh schedule to daily (overnight)
- Tap Refresh EPG to load immediately
When EPG Doesn't Match Channels
Channel names in your playlist must match the channel IDs in the EPG file. Mismatches are common when using third-party EPG sources. TiViMate and Smarters both have manual EPG mapping tools that let you link a channel to its correct EPG ID manually.
Best Third-Party EPG Sources
If your provider doesn't supply EPG, XMLTV and EPG.best are community-maintained sources covering most major channels in English. They're free and updated daily.
Catch-Up TV
Some providers enable catch-up functionality through the EPG — past programs are available to replay within a window (usually 7 days). This appears in TiViMate as an archive icon on the EPG entry. Not all providers support this feature.
Providers with reliable EPG coverage and catch-up support are documented at top-rated IPTV provider.
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