Live TV used to mean watching at the time it was broadcast or missing it. With IPTV catch-up TV, the schedule becomes something you can scroll back through. Missed the start of a match or last night’s episode? Open the TV guide, go back in time and press play.
What is IPTV catch-up TV?
Catch-up TV lets you watch programmes that have already been shown on a live channel. Instead of the programme disappearing once it has aired, it stays available to replay from the TV guide for a period of time.
It is different from the on-demand library. The library holds films and series you can browse at any time. Catch-up is tied to the live schedule: it is how you rewind the channels themselves.
Catch-up availability depends on the channel. Channels that support it are marked in the guide, usually with a small replay or clock symbol, and how far back you can go varies from channel to channel.
What is the EPG?
EPG stands for Electronic Programme Guide. It is the on-screen TV guide: a grid of channels down one side and times across the top, showing what is on now, what is next and what has already aired.
The EPG is where catch-up lives. You use it to find a programme, see whether it can be replayed, and start it. Both the EPG and catch-up are included on every IPTV Cyprus plan.
How to use the EPG, step by step
Every player app looks slightly different, but the guide works in much the same way on all of them:
- Open your player app and sign in if asked.
- Find the TV guide. It may be labelled “TV Guide”, “EPG” or “Guide”, or shown as a grid icon on the home screen or in the menu.
- Choose a channel group. Most apps sort channels into groups such as news, sport, movies or kids. Pick one to keep the guide manageable.
- Scroll through channels and times. Use the up and down buttons on your remote to change channel, and left and right to move through the schedule.
- Select a programme for details. Pressing OK on a programme usually shows a short description, start and end times, and whether it can be replayed.
- Press OK on a live programme to watch it. The app switches to that channel at the current time.
How to watch catch-up TV, step by step
Once you are comfortable with the guide, catch-up takes only a few more presses:
- Open the TV guide as above.
- Go to a channel with catch-up. Look for the replay or clock symbol next to the channel name or on its past programmes.
- Scroll left into the past. Move back through the schedule to the day and time of the programme you missed.
- Select the programme. Past programmes that can be replayed are usually highlighted or marked.
- Choose “Play” or “Watch from start”. The wording varies by app, but the effect is the same: the programme starts from the beginning.
- Use pause, rewind and fast-forward. In most apps you can control playback just like a recording.
- Return to live TV. Press back, or select the current programme in the guide, to jump back to live.
Many apps let you press left on the remote while watching a live channel to jump straight to that channel’s past programmes. Try it: it is often the fastest way to restart something you tuned into late.
Catch-up vs recording: what is the difference?
With a traditional set-top recorder, you had to plan ahead and press record before a programme started. Catch-up removes that step. Supported channels make recent programmes available to replay from the guide automatically, so you can decide what to watch after it has aired.
There are two differences to keep in mind. First, catch-up is available for a limited time, which varies by channel, so it is not a permanent archive. Second, not every channel supports it. For films and series you want to watch whenever you like, the on-demand library is the better place to look, with 128K+ movies and series available on every plan.
TV guide replay tips
- Set the right time zone. The guide should match Cyprus time (Europe/Nicosia). If programme times look an hour or two out, check the device’s time zone or the app’s EPG time offset setting.
- Use favourites. Add the channels you watch most to a favourites list so the guide only shows what you care about.
- Give the guide a moment after setup. The first time you open the app, the guide may take a little while to download. Leave it on a channel for a few minutes.
- Refresh if it looks empty. Most apps have an “Update EPG” or “Refresh” option in their settings.
- Use a stable connection. Catch-up streams like any other video, so the same speed advice applies: at least 10 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K.
Fixing common EPG problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Guide is empty | Guide data not downloaded yet | Use “Update EPG”, wait a few minutes, restart the app |
| Times are wrong | Time zone or offset | Set the device to Cyprus time or adjust the EPG offset |
| Some channels show no guide | No guide data for that channel | Tell us which channels; we will check |
| Cannot replay a programme | Channel has no catch-up, or it is too old | Look for the replay symbol and try a more recent programme |
| Replay stops or stutters | Connection | Follow our anti-freeze checklist |
If none of these help, our IPTV support team can walk you through it on WhatsApp, 24/7 and free of charge. If the terminology is new to you, IPTV terms explained covers EPG, catch-up and the rest in plain English.
Catch-up and the EPG are included on every plan
There is no catch-up add-on. Every plan includes the EPG and catch-up along with HD, 4K and 8K, 21,000+ live channels and 128K+ movies and series. Plans start at €19, or €6.25 a month on the 12 Months plan. See them all on our IPTV packages page, or contact us if you have a question.
Discover everything else included with IPTV Cyprus.