What is EPG and how does it work?
EPG stands for Electronic Program Guide — essentially the TV schedule built into your IPTV app. It works just like the programme guide you're used to from cable TV or satellite, but digital and often far more detailed.
With EPG you can see what's currently airing, what's coming up next and plan your viewing ahead of time — all directly within the app without needing to visit an external website.
What does EPG show?
A well-functioning EPG displays:
- Current programme — what's airing right now on each channel
- Upcoming programmes — what's on over the next hours and days
- Programme information — title, description, genre and broadcast time
- Catch-up indicator — marks programmes you can watch after they've aired
How does EPG work in your IPTV app?
EPG data is fetched automatically from uPlay's servers when you open the app. Depending on which app you use it updates either:
- Automatically on startup — most modern apps like TiviMate and UHF
- Manually — you press "Update EPG" in the settings
| App | EPG support | Automatic update |
|---|---|---|
| TiviMate | Yes | Yes |
| UHF | Yes | Yes |
| IPTV Smarters Pro | Yes | Yes |
| SET IPTV | Yes | Manual |
| Ibo Player | Yes | Yes |
Why are the EPG times wrong?
The most common EPG problem is incorrect times — a programme that actually airs at 8:00 PM shows as 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM in the app. This is almost always caused by an incorrect time zone setting.
Here's how to fix it:
- Go to your app's settings
- Look for Timezone or Time zone
- Select your local time zone
- Restart the app
Tips
In TiviMate you'll find the time zone setting under Settings → General → Timezone.
EPG and Catch-Up
EPG and catch-up are closely linked. To watch a programme after it has aired it must have appeared in the EPG guide when it was broadcast. Channels without EPG generally don't support catch-up.
When you scroll backwards through the EPG guide and click on a finished programme, catch-up starts automatically — if the channel supports it. Find out more in our catch-up guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some channels have no EPG?
Not all channels provide EPG data. This is particularly common with smaller international channels and certain sports channels that broadcast events without a fixed schedule. Sport stream channels often have no EPG at all.
EPG won't load — what do I do?
Check that you have a stable internet connection and try updating the EPG manually in the app settings. If it still doesn't work, restart the app completely.
How far ahead does EPG show?
It depends on the channel and data provider. Most channels show EPG 7 days ahead, some up to 14 days.
Can I search within EPG?
Yes, in apps like TiviMate you can search directly within the EPG guide to find specific programmes or movies regardless of which channel they're airing on.
Summary
- EPG is the digital TV schedule built into your IPTV app
- It shows current and upcoming programmes with descriptions
- Updates automatically in most modern apps
- Wrong times are almost always caused by an incorrect time zone setting
- EPG is required for catch-up to work