An EPG — electronic programme guide (or "program guide" in American English) — is the on-screen TV guide that shows what is on now, what is coming next and often a few days ahead. In an IPTV player, the EPG turns a plain list of channel names into something that feels like traditional TV.
This guide explains where EPG data comes from, how players connect it to your channels and how to get the most out of it.
What an EPG shows
A typical EPG includes, for each channel:
- The programme currently airing and the next ones.
- Start and end times.
- Titles and short descriptions.
- Sometimes categories, ratings or episode information.
Players usually display this as a grid (channels down the side, time across the top) or as a now/next panel while you watch.
Where EPG data comes from
For IPTV, EPG data is usually provided separately from the channel list, as a file or URL in the XMLTV format. XMLTV is a widely used XML-based format for TV listings; the Wikipedia article on XMLTV describes its structure.
How your player gets EPG data depends on your login type:
| Login type | How EPG data is usually provided |
|---|---|
| Xtream Codes | Often delivered automatically by the server |
| M3U playlist | Usually a separate EPG (XMLTV) URL that you add in the player |
Our guide on how to add an EPG URL shows the steps.
How players match guide data to channels
The EPG file lists programmes by channel ID. The playlist tells the player which ID belongs to which channel, usually through the tvg-id attribute in the M3U playlist (see M3U playlists explained).
When the IDs match, the guide appears next to the right channel. When they do not match — or a channel has no ID — the guide is empty for that channel. Some players let you assign guide data to a channel manually.
Time zones and offsets
EPG times are stored with a time zone reference. If your device's time zone is wrong, or the player applies an extra offset, programmes can appear shifted by an hour or more. Most players include a time offset or time shift setting to correct this. Our EPG troubleshooting guide covers the fix.
How often the guide updates
Players download EPG data periodically — for example once a day or when the app starts — and store it on the device. Large EPG files can take a while to download and process, especially on streaming sticks with limited storage and memory.
Common EPG terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Now / Next | The programme airing now and the one after it, shown during playback |
| Grid view | The classic guide layout: channels in rows, time across the top |
| Catch-up | Watching a past programme from the guide, where supported |
| Time shift / offset | A correction that moves all guide times by a set number of hours |
| Guide refresh | Downloading the latest guide data |
| Reminder | An alert before a programme starts, in players that support it |
Choosing a player with a good guide
Guide features vary a lot between players, so if the EPG matters to you, compare players on these points:
- Grid layout that is easy to navigate with a remote.
- Fast loading of large guides on your device.
- Manual channel matching for channels that do not match automatically.
- Time offset settings in case the times need correcting.
- Favourites filter so you only see channels you watch.
- Catch-up integration if your service offers it.
Our player checklist covers the other features worth comparing.
Getting more out of your EPG
- Filter the guide by favourites so you only see channels you care about; see organising channels and favourites.
- Set reminders, if your player supports them.
- Use catch-up, where your service and player support it, to watch programmes that already aired from the guide.
- Refresh the guide after changing playlists or time settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is EPG the same as a TV guide?
Yes. EPG is the technical name for the on-screen TV guide.
Why is my EPG empty?
Common reasons are that no EPG source has been added, the guide has not finished downloading, or the channel IDs do not match. See EPG not working?.
Does the EPG use a lot of data?
EPG files can be several megabytes, but they are downloaded occasionally rather than continuously. On home internet this is negligible.
Do all players support EPG?
No. General media players such as VLC do not show a TV guide. Most dedicated IPTV players do.
EPG essentials
The EPG is your player's TV guide. Its data usually comes in XMLTV format, either automatically (with Xtream Codes) or from an EPG URL you add. Channel IDs link the guide to your channels, and time offsets keep it accurate. Continue with adding an EPG URL.
More in this guide
- EPG Not Working? How to Fix an Empty Guide and Wrong TimesAn empty or shifted TV guide usually has one of four causes. Here is how to find and fix each of them.
- How to Add an EPG URL to Your IPTV PlayerA few steps turn a plain channel list into a full TV guide. Here is how to add and refresh an EPG URL in most players.