Set up EPG and XMLTV programme guides

What EPG and XMLTV mean

An electronic programme guide (EPG) describes what is on a channel and when. XMLTV is a format used to supply that schedule. Your playlist supplies the channel streams; guide data supplies programme information. A working playlist can have missing guide data.

NextGen does not supply channels, playlists or programme schedules. You need a lawful source you are authorised to access and suitable guide data from that source or your own compatible XMLTV URL. Guide coverage depends on the data supplied; a match is not guaranteed for every channel.

Use guide data with an M3U playlist

1. Open playlist setup and choose M3U/M3U8 URL.
2. Enter your playlist name and remote playlist URL.
3. Enable Fetch EPG.
4. If your source supplied a separate XMLTV guide URL and setup shows an optional EPG URL field, enter it there.
5. Add the playlist and allow the playlist and guide imports to finish.

You can leave the custom guide field empty when your playlist already declares a compatible guide source. If no guide source is available, adding the playlist does not create programme schedules.

Apple TV's initial setup may show only the guide-fetching toggle. Use the saved playlist's edit controls to add or change its custom EPG URL, then refresh the guide. Field locations can differ between platforms and app versions.

https://source.example/guide.xml is a non-working illustration, not a guide service. Use only your own authorised source in the app. For the complete connection steps, see add an M3U playlist.

Use guide data with an Xtream connection

1. Open playlist setup and choose Xtream Codes.
2. Enter the base URL, username and password supplied by your lawful source in their separate fields.
3. Enable Fetch EPG.
4. Add the playlist and allow the imports to finish.

NextGen can use your source's guide when it is available. An Xtream connection does not guarantee that the source provides schedules for every channel. See the Xtream setup guide for the full connection flow.

If programme information is missing

• No guide anywhere: check that guide fetching is enabled, the device has a network connection and your configured guide source is available. Use the app's EPG refresh control and allow it to finish.
• Only some channels have schedules: the playlist's channel identifiers and names must match the guide data. Different identifiers, regional variants or missing schedules can leave individual channels unmatched. Refreshing cannot create information absent from your source.
• Schedules are out of date: check your device's date and time, refresh the guide and check privately that the source supplies current schedules.
• A custom guide URL fails: check privately for a copying error or expired access details. Prefer HTTPS when your source supports it. Do not paste the URL into public checking tools or community messages.

Guide fetching can fail while playlist browsing and playback remain available. Reimporting the same data does not guarantee a better match. NextGen cannot supply missing schedules or validate a provider account.

Keep guide URLs private

An XMLTV URL can contain a username, password or access token, just like a playlist URL. Do not send complete URLs or connection screens to support. Hide provider addresses, account details, channel names and programme artwork in screenshots.

For an app issue, contact Support with your device, OS version, app version, affected action and whether all channels or only some lack guide information. Include no credentials or source URLs.

Explore NextGen for Apple TV, iPhone and iPad or Mac. For player access limits, see Free & Pro.