The Ultimate Guide to IPTV EPG (Electronic Program Guide)

An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is what turns a list of stream links into a fully interactive television experience. It displays the TV schedule, show descriptions, and active broadcast timelines. Here is how EPG works and how to set it up.

What is an EPG XMLTV File?

EPG files are usually formatted in XML (known as XMLTV). These files match channel IDs in your M3U playlist to database entries containing schedules. When your player application reads the EPG link, it maps the current time to the active show and displays it inside your TV guide grid.

How to Set Up EPG in TiviMate

TiviMate handles EPG guide mapping automatically, but you can add custom guide sources:

1. Go to Settings ➡️ Playlists.
2. Select your active MyTV playlist ➡️ EPG Sources.
3. Click **Add Source** and paste your custom EPG XMLTV link.
4. TiviMate will download and map the schedules instantly.

Troubleshooting Missing TV Guide Data

If your TV guide is showing "No Information" or is completely blank, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Verify Channel IDs: EPG mapping relies on matching tvg-id attributes in the M3U. Ensure your player is loading the full, unmodified M3U URL.
• Force Guide Update: Inside your app settings, select "Update EPG" to force the player to download a fresh XML copy.