What is XMLTV? The IPTV guide explained

XMLTV is a standard way to publish TV schedules as a file a player can download. Zapline reads that file for the playlists you add — it does not invent programmes, and it does not include any channels or content of its own.

What XMLTV actually is

An XMLTV document lists channels and programmes: titles, start and stop times, and optional descriptions. Players treat it as the electronic programme guide (EPG). The file may be plain XML or gzip-compressed (.xml.gz); Zapline accepts both.

How a playlist points at the guide

An M3U playlist can declare a guide URL on its header line with url-tvg (also seen as x-tvg-url or tvg-url). If several feeds are listed, Zapline uses the first. With an Xtream Codes login, Zapline derives the panel's guide address as xmltv.php from the same server and credentials, so you usually do not paste a separate EPG link.

How programmes attach to channels

Each live channel in the playlist can carry a tvg-id. Each programme in the XMLTV file is filed under a channel id. The player joins the two. If the ids do not match exactly, that row stays empty even when both files are valid — only the provider can fix mismatched ids at the source.

What Zapline shows from XMLTV

• On now and up next on channels that have matching guide data.
• A timeline grid in the Guide view for browsing the schedule.
• Background fetch when a playlist opens (if guide refresh is enabled), plus Refresh Guide Now in Settings when you want to force a download.

Zapline cannot invent schedule rows your provider does not publish. Short provider windows, wrong time offsets and missing tvg-id values all show up as gaps or empty rows.

When the guide looks wrong

For diagnosis — missing URL, id mismatches, stale downloads, shifted clocks — see why your IPTV guide is empty. For replaying programmes the provider still keeps, see catch-up TV.