EPG stands for electronic program guide. It's the on-screen TV listings grid that shows what's on now, what's next, and what's coming later on each channel—just like the guide on a cable box.
Why EPG matters
- See what's on without flicking through channels.
- Read program descriptions before you tune in.
- Set reminders or recordings (in apps that support it).
- Use catch-up by picking past shows from the guide.
Without an EPG, a list of hundreds of channels is hard to use.
How IPTV EPG works
Your player downloads guide data from a source and matches it to your channels:
- Xtream logins usually provide the guide automatically.
- M3U playlists may reference a guide file in an XMLTV format, or you add the XMLTV link yourself.
- Each channel has an ID (
tvg-id) that links it to its guide data.
EPG settings worth knowing
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Update interval | How often the guide refreshes (daily is plenty) |
| Days to keep | How far ahead/back the guide shows; fewer days = faster on small devices |
| Time shift | Corrects guides that are off by whole hours |
| EPG source | Where the data comes from (automatic or XMLTV URL) |
Best apps for EPG
TiviMate is widely considered the best TV-guide experience on Android TV and Fire TV. On Apple TV, APTV, IPTVX and UHF have good guides. See player apps compared.
Guide not working?
See EPG not loading? How to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Is EPG included with IPTV Prime US?
Yes, a guide is included where available. Coverage varies by channel.
What's XMLTV?
A standard file format for TV listings that most IPTV players can read.
Why do some channels show "No information"?
Not every channel has guide data, or the channel ID doesn't match. Report important ones to support.
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