By IPTV LEVEL UP Support Desk (Setup & streaming support team). Published . Written by the IPTV LEVEL UP support team from the questions customers ask most. Menu paths are checked against current app versions when we update a guide.
What are EPG and catch-up TV?
The EPG (electronic programme guide) is the on-screen schedule showing what's on each channel now and later. Catch-up lets you watch a programme that has already aired, on channels that keep an archive. With an Xtream Codes login, most players load the EPG automatically; catch-up appears only on channels that support it, often marked with a clock or rewind icon.
How the EPG gets into your player
The guide is a data file (usually in XMLTV format) matched to each channel by an ID. With Xtream Codes the player downloads it for you. With an M3U playlist you may need to add a separate EPG link in the player's settings.
Why the guide is empty
- The player hasn't finished downloading it — the first load can take a few minutes.
- You're using M3U without an EPG link.
- The channel has no guide data from its source.
- The player's guide cache is stale — use its "update EPG" option.
Why programme times are wrong
Players display times in your device's time zone, but some apply an extra offset. If the guide is consistently an hour or more off, find the EPG time offset or time shift setting and adjust it. Check the device's own time zone first.
How catch-up works
Channels with catch-up keep recent programmes for a limited number of days. In the guide, open a past programme on a supported channel and choose play. Not every channel or player supports it, and some players only show it in paid versions.
Catch-up versus recording
Catch-up is stored by the service; recording saves a programme to storage on your own device, such as a USB drive. Recording depends on the player and device and isn't available everywhere.
Players with strong guide support
TiviMate and MyTVOnline on Formuler are known for cable-style guides; IPTV Smarters shows the guide in a simpler list. See how to choose an IPTV player.