An electronic programme guide, or EPG, presents schedule information in a navigable form alongside television channels. It commonly shows what is on now, what comes next and additional programme details when the data source supplies them. The guide combines schedule metadata with the player’s channel list and local presentation rules. It is distinct from the playable stream and does not itself provide recording, replay or catch-up access. A populated guide can be inaccurate or stale, while a working channel can have no guide information at all.
EPG and Catch-up
An EPG describes programmes; it does not automatically grant replay access to past broadcasts.
Several inputs create one grid
The player needs channel identities, programme records and usable timing information to place entries in a guide. It may obtain them from a separate feed or an integrated service. Missing descriptions can reflect limited source detail rather than a rendering fault. Empty cells can mean no coverage for that date, a failed update or an unmatched channel, each requiring a different check.
Schedules do not control broadcasts
A live event can overrun or a broadcaster can change its lineup after the guide was published. The grid may then disagree with the actual stream until updated information arrives. A correct programme title also does not establish that a recording or replay option is available. Those features require additional supported services and data beyond a basic schedule listing.
Diagnose the shape of the error
If every entry is shifted equally, inspect timezone and offset handling. If one channel shows another channel’s programmes, inspect mapping. If future days are empty, check the feed’s date coverage and update status. Compare an actual programme title and start time on a known channel before refreshing or changing many settings, so the original pattern remains clear.
An illustrative example
A live match runs twenty minutes late, but the guide still shows the following programme at its original time. Playback is functioning and the scheduled metadata is simply behind the broadcast change. Refreshing helps only if the upstream source has published revised timings for the player to retrieve.
Practical actions
- Identify whether the error affects time, channel identity or coverage.
- Compare the grid with one known live programme.
- Check source update time before repeatedly refreshing.