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TV guide help

IPTV EPG: A TV Guide That Actually Works

The IPTV EPG (electronic program guide) is what turns a list of channels into real TV: what's on now, what's next and what aired earlier. This guide explains where guide data comes from, how to fix an empty or out-of-sync guide, and how catch-up lets you replay shows you missed.

Fix My Guide See Plans
  • Now & next
  • Time-zone fixes
  • Catch-up explained
Couple browsing a colorful IPTV EPG grid on a large TV in a cozy living room TV guide
In short

What Is an IPTV EPG?

An IPTV EPG is guide data your player app downloads alongside the channels: program names, start times and descriptions. With an Xtream Codes login, most apps fetch it automatically. With an M3U playlist, you may need to add a separate EPG link, usually in XMLTV format. The app then shows a now-and-next bar and a full grid you can browse.

  • Xtream Codes logins usually load the guide automatically
  • M3U playlists may need a separate XMLTV link
  • A wrong time zone is the most common guide problem
Step by step

Fix an Empty or Wrong IPTV EPG

  1. Hand holding a remote toward a TV showing a guide grid loading
    1

    Refresh the guide

    Open the app's settings or home screen and refresh the TV guide. The first download can take a minute.

  2. 2

    Check the time offset

    If listings are an hour or more off, adjust the EPG time shift or time zone in the app settings.

  3. Tablet showing a settings screen with a single empty input field on a sofa
    3

    Add an EPG link for M3U

    Using a playlist? Add your provider's XMLTV link in the guide settings; it often ends in xmltv.php.

  4. 4

    Clear the cache

    On Android TV and Fire TV, clear the app's cache if the guide shows old data.

  5. 5

    Ask your provider

    If one channel never has guide data, it may not be mapped. Your provider can fix it.

Woman relaxing on a sofa replaying an earlier TV show from a catch-up guide
Catch-up

IPTV With Catch-Up: Replay What You Missed

On channels that support catch-up, the IPTV EPG lets you scroll back in time and play shows that already aired, often for several days. Look for a clock or rewind icon next to the channel in the guide.

IPTV Smarters Pro catch-up tips

  • Open Live TV, then the guide
  • Scroll back to an earlier program
  • Press OK on a program with the catch-up icon
Quick reference

IPTV EPG Problems and Fixes

ProblemLikely causeFix
Guide is emptyNo EPG data loadedRefresh, or add an EPG link for M3U
Times are off by an hourDaylight saving or time zoneAdjust the EPG time shift
One channel has no guideChannel not mappedAsk your provider
Old programs showingCached dataClear the app cache and refresh
Guide loads slowlyLarge guide on a slow deviceFree up storage; use Ethernet
Guide included

Plans With a Full IPTV EPG

Every plan includes TV guide data and catch-up on channels that support it. Choose your devices, then your plan length.

1 Month Subscription

Regular price $27.95$11.00

One-time · 1 month

  • One-time payment
  • 20,000+ live channels
  • 90,000+ movies & series
  • Anti-buffering servers
  • TV guide (EPG)
  • Instant activation
  • 24/7 chat support
Select Plan

3 Months Subscription

Regular price $55.95$26.00

One-time · 3 months$8.67/mo

  • One-time payment
  • 20,000+ live channels
  • 90,000+ movies & series
  • Anti-buffering servers
  • TV guide (EPG)
  • Instant activation
  • 24/7 chat support
Select Plan

6 Months Subscription

Regular price $69.95$39.00

One-time · 6 months$6.50/mo

  • One-time payment
  • 20,000+ live channels
  • 90,000+ movies & series
  • Anti-buffering servers
  • TV guide (EPG)
  • Instant activation
  • 24/7 chat support
Select Plan
Popular

12 Months Subscription

Regular price $149.95$69.00

One-time · 12 months$5.75/mo

  • One-time payment
  • 20,000+ live channels
  • 90,000+ movies & series
  • Anti-buffering servers
  • TV guide (EPG)
  • Instant activation
  • 24/7 chat support
Select Plan

Secure checkout · One-time payment, no contract · Login details by email in minutes

IPTV EPG FAQ

The app hasn't loaded guide data yet, or your M3U playlist needs a separate EPG link. Refresh the guide or add the link.
The app's time shift doesn't match your time zone or daylight saving. Adjust the EPG time offset in settings.
Yes. With Xtream Codes it loads the guide automatically; with M3U you can add an EPG link.
A feature that lets you replay shows that already aired, on channels that support it, from the guide.
It depends on the channel's guide data. Most channels list at least the next day or two, and many show a full week ahead.
It varies by channel. Many catch-up channels keep the last few days of programs available to replay from the guide.
The standard file format for TV guide data that most IPTV apps can read.

Keep Exploring

Xtream Codes

The login that loads the guide

IPTV Smarters M3U

Add an EPG link to a playlist

IPTV Buffering

10 fixes that work

How to Use IPTV Smarters Pro

Every guide in one place

A Guide That Just Works

Pick a plan with Xtream Codes details, and your TV guide and catch-up load automatically in IPTV Smarters Pro.

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Support agent with a headset helping a customer fix a TV guide on a video call

This website is operated by an independent IPTV provider. IPTV Smarters Pro is developed by WHMCS Smarters; we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the developer. Catch-up availability varies by channel. Menu names vary by app version.