Add an XMLTV guide (EPG) on Apple TV

XMLTV is the file format for a programme guide (EPG). Guidevi reads an XMLTV address you provide and lines it up with your channels, so Apple TV, iPhone and iPad show what is on now and next.

Add the guide address

When you add a playlist, fill in “Guide (XMLTV) URL”; it is optional. To add or change it later, open the source from Sources (in Settings on Apple TV and iPhone, in the sidebar on iPad) and edit the guide address. Guide addresses look like https://…/guide.xml and come from your own server or your provider.

If the playlist or account already points to a guide, Guidevi uses it. Home server presets add the server’s guide address for you; see the server guides.
On Apple TV, you can type the address with the remote or enter it from your phone with the code (M3U guide).

Check the guide health

On the guide, Guidevi shows a line such as “228 channels · guide 96% matched · updated 12 min ago”. It tells you how many of your channels found their programmes, and how fresh the guide is.

For the details, open the source and look at the Guide section:

Matching: the share of channels with a guide channel, and how many are missing.
Last updated and Next update, with a “Refresh Now” action in the source list.
Programmes: how many there are and the period they cover. A note appears when the guide has nothing after today.
Automatic Updates: every 6 or 12 hours, daily, every 3 days, or manual only. Updates run while the app is open, or in the background when the system allows.
Time Shift: moves all guide times, if programmes show earlier or later than they air.

If the match is low or the guide is empty, read the guide doesn’t match my channels.

How much of the guide shows

The free version shows the guide from yesterday to 24 hours ahead. Premium shows every day your guide provides.

More guides

Guidevi’s free version includes one source and the guide from yesterday to 24 hours ahead. Premium is optional; see what it adds.