A playlist refresh retrieves the current version of a media list from its source and updates the player’s imported entries according to its own merge rules. It can bring in changed names, new locations or removed items when the source has been revised. Refreshing does not repair an unchanged broken stream or create channels absent from the source. It is also separate from downloading programme-guide data. A player may offer manual and scheduled refreshes, but their effects on favourites, local edits and cached entries depend on the implementation.
Playlist refresh and Account renewal
Refreshing retrieves current list data; renewal extends commercial access under the applicable plan.
Retrieval and reconciliation
After downloading a list, the player has to decide which new entries correspond to existing ones. Stable identifiers can help retain associations, while changed names or duplicated addresses can complicate matching. Some applications replace the imported list; others preserve local organisation. Check the documented behaviour before a major list change, especially when a carefully arranged set of favourites depends on those associations.
Refresh cannot exceed the source
If the provider still publishes the same expired stream address, another successful refresh imports the same problem. If the source changes but the app does not, caching or a failed update may be involved. A progress spinner alone does not establish that new data was applied. Look for a known changed entry or a reported successful-update time where available.
Compare before and after
Record the current list size and one or two relevant entries before refreshing. Afterward, verify the specific expected change and test its playback separately. If the refresh fails, preserve the working cached list where the app permits it. Avoid repeatedly deleting and rebuilding the source until you know whether the problem is retrieval, parsing or the application’s reconciliation rules.
An illustrative example
A source adds a new channel and updates an old channel’s stream address. A successful playlist refresh imports both changes, but the guide remains unchanged because it uses a separate data source and update process. Testing the revised channel then establishes whether the new media location actually works.
Practical actions
- Record a specific expected change before refreshing.
- Check how refresh affects favourites and local edits.
- Verify list changes separately from guide updates and playback.