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Features Guide 7 min read Published 10 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Best Media UK Editorial Team

IPTV EPG & Catch-Up TV Explained: How Electronic Programme Guides & Replay Work

An accurate Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and Catch-Up TV turn an IPTV player into a familiar British television experience. Learn how EPG time-zone offsets, XMLTV schedules, and Replay work on UK devices.

What Is the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)?

The EPG is the interactive on-screen television schedule showing what is currently airing and what is coming up across UK terrestrial, entertainment, and sports channels. When you log into apps like TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro using Xtream Codes API, the UK EPG URL is linked automatically.

How Replay & Catch-Up TV Work

On supported UK and international channels (marked with a small clock or archive icon in your player's EPG grid), Catch-Up allows you to scroll backwards in the TV guide and replay programmes broadcast earlier in the week without needing to record them manually to a USB drive.

Fixing EPG Time-Shift Issues (BST / GMT in the UK)

If your programme listings ever appear one hour ahead or behind after the UK clocks change between GMT and British Summer Time (BST), open your player's EPG settings and ensure 'EPG Time Offset' is set to `0` (automatic device time) or adjust by `+1` / `-1` hour as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my EPG empty after installing an IPTV app?

If you logged in with a raw M3U URL instead of Xtream Codes API, you may need to paste the EPG XML URL separately or click 'Update EPG' in your app settings. Using Xtream Codes API configures EPG automatically.

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