Key Takeaways
- A blank TiviMate EPG traces back to one of five causes: missing XMLTV source, expired URL, timezone mismatch, stale cache, or channel ID mismatch.
- Force a manual refresh first — Settings → EPG → Refresh EPG. This alone fixes the majority of blank-guide issues without any other changes.
- Adding via Xtream Codes API (server URL + username + password) is the easiest path to a working EPG — no separate XMLTV URL needed.
- Timezone misalignment is the most overlooked cause: programs load but show at wrong times. Enable Use System Time Zone to fix it instantly.
- If EPG fails after all steps, the problem is your provider — quality providers include a maintained XMLTV URL with every subscription.
TiviMate's EPG is the best in the IPTV-app world when it works — full 7-day grid, show synopses, posters, and instant search. When it does not work, the app feels half-broken. A blank guide turns TiviMate into a glorified channel list. The good news: nearly every EPG issue traces back to one of five settings, and each takes under two minutes to fix. This 2026 guide walks through each in order.
The 5 Reasons EPG Fails on TiviMate
- Playlist EPG source is missing or wrong — TiviMate has nothing to load.
- XMLTV URL is expired or moved — the URL worked yesterday but no longer responds.
- Timezone is misaligned — EPG loads, but programs show at the wrong time slot.
- Stale cache — TiviMate downloaded once, then never refreshed.
- Channel ID mismatch — XMLTV has data but channel IDs do not match playlist channel IDs.
Step-by-Step Diagnostic
Force a manual EPG refresh
Open TiviMate. Go to Settings → EPG → Refresh EPG. If a progress bar runs and your guide repopulates afterward, you are done. If you see an error or the guide stays blank, continue to Step 2.
Check your playlist's EPG source
Go to Settings → Playlists → [Your Playlist]. Look at the EPG source line. If it says "None" or shows a 404 error, your provider either did not include an EPG URL with the playlist or the URL has expired.
Add a custom XMLTV EPG URL
From the playlist screen, choose Add EPG Source → URL, then paste the XMLTV URL your provider supplied separately. For Kemo IPTV, this URL is included in the WhatsApp message with your M3U URL. Save, then trigger Refresh EPG.
Verify timezone
Go to Settings → EPG → Time Offset. Either enable Use System Time Zone or manually set the offset (e.g., UTC -5 for US Eastern, UTC -6 for Central, UTC -7 for Mountain, UTC -8 for Pacific). If your guide loaded but programs are mis-timed, this is the fix.
Clear EPG cache and reload
Go to Settings → EPG → Clear EPG Data → OK. This deletes the local cached EPG. Then run Refresh EPG. TiviMate downloads a fresh copy from your XMLTV source.
Verify channel mapping
If the EPG loaded but only shows on some channels, your playlist's channel IDs and the XMLTV's channel IDs do not match. Open a channel without EPG and tap Settings (gear icon) → Set EPG. Choose the correct channel from the XMLTV list. Repeat for any other affected channel — or contact your provider to align IDs at the source.
Switch playlist to Xtream Codes (alternative)
If your provider supplies both M3U and Xtream Codes credentials, try removing the M3U playlist and re-adding via Xtream Codes API. TiviMate auto-pulls EPG over Xtream Codes without needing a separate XMLTV URL. Many EPG issues vanish at this step.
Xtream Codes — The Easy Path to a Working EPG
Adding your playlist via Xtream Codes API (instead of M3U URL) is the single highest ROI step for solving EPG issues. With Xtream Codes:
- TiviMate auto-fetches EPG with no separate URL needed.
- Channel ID mapping is handled by the server, not the client.
- EPG refresh is faster (incremental updates rather than full XMLTV re-downloads).
- VOD library is auto-categorized (Movies, Series) for IPTV Smarters Pro too.
Recommended TiviMate EPG Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| EPG Source | From Xtream Codes (preferred) or playlist XMLTV URL | Two sources are not better than one. |
| EPG Days | 7 | Full week visibility without ballooning download size. |
| Refresh Interval | 24h | Daily refresh is sufficient for live TV. |
| Time Offset | Use System Time Zone | Auto-aligns with Android TV / Apple TV / Firestick system clock. |
| EPG Storage | Internal (default) | Faster reads; external SD can fail on cheap boxes. |
Still Broken? The Likely Culprit Is Your Provider
If you have run every step above and EPG still does not load, the source is the problem — not TiviMate. Cheap IPTV providers frequently:
- Ship M3U playlists with no XMLTV URL — there is literally no EPG to load.
- Maintain XMLTV URLs that expire weekly or daily.
- Use channel IDs that do not match between M3U and XMLTV.
- Run XMLTV servers that timeout or rate-limit aggressively.
- Cut EPG entirely after the first month to save server costs.
A provider's EPG quality is a reliable indicator of overall infrastructure quality. If they cannot maintain a working TV guide, the live streams will eventually have the same problems.
Kemo IPTV — EPG That Just Works
Kemo IPTV provides a maintained XMLTV EPG covering every channel in our 40,000+ catalogue with 7 days of forward programming:
- Single XMLTV URL or auto-fetch via Xtream Codes — works either way in TiviMate.
- Channel IDs aligned between M3U and XMLTV — no manual mapping required.
- Daily refresh of EPG data, with metadata (synopses, posters, ratings).
- Works natively in TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, Smart IPTV, GSE, and every major player.
- M3U URL + XMLTV EPG URL + Xtream Codes credentials delivered via WhatsApp on activation.
- 24/7 WhatsApp support if you need help wiring everything together.
| Plan | Price | Per Month | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $15 | $15.00 | 40K+ channels, 170K+ VOD, 4K, EPG |
| 3 Months | $34 | $11.33 | Full library, all devices |
| 6 Months | $45 | $7.50 | Full library, all devices |
| 12 MonthsBEST VALUE | $64 | $5.33 | Full library, all devices |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my TiviMate EPG blank for every channel?
Three common causes. First, your playlist does not include an EPG URL — TiviMate has no XMLTV source to load. Second, the EPG URL is configured but has expired or moved. Third, TiviMate downloaded the EPG once but cached it stale — a manual refresh fixes it. Run through the steps in this guide and one of them resolves 95% of blank EPG cases.
Where do I get an XMLTV EPG URL for TiviMate?
Your IPTV provider supplies it. For Kemo IPTV, the M3U URL and a separate XMLTV EPG URL are both delivered via WhatsApp on activation. If you only have an Xtream Codes login (server URL + username + password), TiviMate can fetch the EPG automatically without a separate XMLTV URL — see Section 3 of this guide.
Why is the EPG showing wrong times on TiviMate?
Your timezone is misaligned. Go to TiviMate Settings → EPG → Time Offset and either enable 'Auto' (matches your Android TV system timezone) or set the offset manually to match your local US timezone. Default UTC offsets cause programs to appear 4–8 hours off depending on your region.
How often does TiviMate refresh the EPG?
By default, once every 24 hours. You can force a refresh at any time via Settings → EPG → Refresh EPG. On older Android TV boxes with limited storage, EPG downloads can fail silently if the device is low on space — clear cache to recover storage, then retry.
Does Kemo IPTV include an EPG with the subscription?
Yes. Every Kemo IPTV subscription includes a complete XMLTV EPG covering 40,000+ channels with 7 days of forward programming. The EPG URL and the M3U URL are delivered together via WhatsApp on activation. Our 24/7 team will help you wire it into TiviMate if you get stuck.
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