Start with the station you actually watch
A label such as “BBC One” or “CBC” can describe a network or several local feeds. Open the channel entry in the broadcaster directory. Look at the feed name, region, languages and time zone. The directory’s channel ID is a catalogue key. Your player may expect a completely different guide identifier from your authorized supplier. Keep the two side by side in your notes.
In an XMLTV file, the programme’s channel attribute refers to the guide’s channel entry. In a compatible playlist, a tag such as tvg-id can tell the player which entry to use. Check the player documentation before editing because apps differ in how they handle IDs, display names and manual mapping.
Use a working and a failing station
Choose one station whose video and guide both work. Write its visible name, feed and next programme time. Then open the broken station and collect the same fields. If several channels are blank after a full guide refresh, the guide may be unavailable, compressed in a format the app does not accept or missing the dates you need. Work on one channel after you confirm the guide has entries for the current day.
| Symptom | One thing to verify |
|---|---|
| Every channel has no programme | Confirm the guide loaded and has entries on the current date. |
| Only a single feed is blank | Check its exact playlist and guide identifiers. |
| The wrong programme appears | Compare the local station edition and the programme start. |
| A whole guide is an hour early | Check the time zone and the date before editing an offset. |
Make the smallest correction
If the app supports manual mapping, use it for one station first. Refresh and compare a programme near the current time. Watch for a local news block, a regional event or another known difference between feeds. A network’s national listing may be close enough for a headline and wrong for the programme you wanted.
When the player uses a global offset, leave it alone until you compare at least two channels. A fix that moves one listing into place can shift every other listing. If one channel differs and all the rest are right, look at that channel’s source and mapping instead.
Leave a safe record for a forum reply
Post the visible station label, city or feed edition, player version, guide date and two programme times. You can share the source catalogue ID when it helps identify the channel. A copied XMLTV address can include access details. Cover or remove it before sharing a screenshot.