How EPG Data Actually Gets Built (And Why Yours Might Be Missing Shows)

For a deeper look than our basic EPG overview, here's how program guide data actually gets built and matched to your channels.

EPG data comes from XMLTV feeds

Program schedule information is compiled into a standard format called XMLTV — a structured feed listing show titles, times and descriptions per channel, updated regularly by data providers.

Matching data to channels by ID

Each channel in your playlist has an internal identifier (a tvg-id) that the EPG system uses to match schedule data to the correct channel. If a channel's ID doesn't align between your playlist and the EPG feed, that channel shows no data even though everything else works.

Why some channels have richer data than others

Major networks and well-tracked channels tend to have detailed, reliable XMLTV data; smaller or regional channels sometimes have sparser or delayed data simply because fewer sources track them as closely.

Why your guide might occasionally look incomplete

A mismatch or delay anywhere in this chain — playlist ID, EPG source, or sync timing — can cause a gap. This is a data-matching issue, not a sign your subscription itself is faulty.

For fixing a specific EPG problem, see EPG showing wrong times or no data.