EPG Not Working: How to Fix the Programme Guide
Euro Prime TV Editorial Team
EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) is the programme schedule data showing which programme is broadcast on which channel. When the guide does not appear, the programme information stays empty even if the channels open. The problem usually comes from the data source, the time zone setting or the cache.
In this article we explain the checks to make when the EPG is not working and the reasons for an empty guide.
Where does EPG data come from?
Programme schedule data can be contained in the playlist or provided from a separate link. The player updates this data at set intervals. If the data source is not defined the guide area looks empty; in that case the problem is not a fault but a missing definition.
-
Source type: data embedded in the playlist or a separate guide link.
-
Updating: the player refreshes the data at regular intervals.
-
Coverage: programme information may be missing for some channels.
-
Language: programme descriptions arrive in the language provided by the broadcaster.
Check 1: Time zone and device clock
If the guide data exists but the programmes appear at the wrong time, the cause is the time zone setting. When the time zone of the device and the zone the guide data was prepared in do not match, the programmes look shifted. In that case the device time zone should be set to automatic.
-
Device clock: automatic updating should be on.
-
Time zone: it should be set according to your region.
-
Player setting: some players have a separate time zone option.
-
Shift amount: a shift of one hour usually comes from the daylight saving setting.
Check 2: Refresh the guide data
Once the guide has been received it is kept in the cache. When the data is corrupted or not updated the guide looks empty. The guide refresh option of the player should be used and, if necessary, the app data cleared so the data is downloaded again.
| Symptom | Possible cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Guide completely empty | Data source not defined | Add the guide link |
| Only some channels empty | Broadcaster data missing | Try the alternative stream of the same channel |
| Programmes look shifted | Time zone mismatch | Correct the device time zone |
| Guide shows old data | Cache not updated | Refresh the guide |
| Guide disappears after a day | Data refresh switched off | Turn automatic updating on |
Check 3: Channel matching
Guide data is bound to channels by channel ID. When the channel name changes or the playlist is rebuilt the matching breaks and the programme information does not appear. In that case the channel has to be matched again or the playlist loaded from scratch.
-
Channel ID: it is the basis of guide matching.
-
Name change: the matching can break when the playlist is updated.
-
Reloading: downloading the playlist again refreshes the matching.
-
Alternative channel: a different row of the same stream may carry different data.
Check 4: Differences by player
Not every player behaves the same with the guide. Some players take the data only once at start-up, others refresh it at regular intervals; in some the guide is defined with a separate address. The same playlist can look full in one player and empty in another.
| Behaviour | What to do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Player that takes the data at start-up | Restart the app | There is no frequent refresh |
| Player that refreshes automatically | Leave the setting on | It updates in the background |
| Player that needs a separate guide address | Define the address manually | A definition step is required |
| Player with limited guide support | Try an alternative player | The feature difference is decisive |
| Player selection criteria are given in the How to choose an IPTV player article, and example setups in the IPTV Smarters setup and Watching IPTV with VLC articles. |
Why can guide data be missing?
For some channels programme information is never provided; this is not a fault. Local channels, regional broadcasts and temporary feeds are among the groups without guide data. In such cases the alternative stream of the channel can be tried.
-
Provider: the programme information is prepared by the broadcaster.
-
Region: data may be missing for local channels.
-
Temporariness: the guide arrives late for newly added channels.
-
Alternative: the backup row of the same channel can be tried.
-
The accuracy of programme information depends on the broadcaster; even when the time zone setting is correct the broadcaster data may arrive with a delay.
The relationship between the programme guide and delay
The guide does not only show the programme name; it also helps to understand whether the stream is live or delayed. By comparing with the programme start time you can follow how far behind the stream is. This measurement is used to assess stream quality and should be considered together with the adaptive bitrate behaviour.
| Finding | Possible cause | Check |
|---|---|---|
| The programme has just started but the stream is behind | Stream delay | Wait a few seconds and compare |
| The programme has ended but the stream continues | Delayed stream | Try the alternative stream |
| Programme time shifted by one hour | Time zone setting | Correct the device time zone |
| No programme information at all | Data source | Check the guide definition |
| Programme information is old | Cache | Refresh the guide |
Frequently asked questions
Why does the guide look empty?
The guide data source is not defined, the data has not been updated or the channel matching has broken. These three situations are checked in order.
Why do the guide times shift?
The most common cause is the time zone setting of the device. When automatic time and the correct time zone are selected the shift is corrected.
What can the problem be if no channel has programme information?
The data source may never have been defined. The guide link needs to be added.
What if the guide has disappeared on its own?
The cache may have been cleared or automatic refresh switched off. Refresh the guide and turn automatic updating on.
Sources
Official sources have been consulted for the technical statements in this article: EBU Tech 3327 – Service information (metadata) model for broadcast services, ITU-T Y.1901 – Requirements for the support of IPTV services. These sources explain how broadcast technology generally works; for service scope and device support, see the relevant package and support pages.
Tags:
Can You Watch IPTV on Mobile Data? Data and Quality Guide
