Live TV, VOD, EPG and Catch-Up: IPTV Features Explained
Understand common IPTV features, including live television, video on demand, electronic programme guides and catch-up playback.
Live TV follows a broadcast schedule
Live television plays a channel’s current broadcast. A channel list helps you find stations, while playback quality depends on the stream, app and connection. Availability can change between packages. Check the channels and broadcast languages you need rather than assuming that every advertised category is included.
Video on demand lets you choose a title
Video on demand, often shortened to VOD, allows you to select a movie or episode from a library. Its catalogue, language options and organisation depend on the service and player. VOD is different from live television and may not be available in every package. Confirm the selection that matters to you.
An EPG shows programme information
An electronic programme guide, or EPG, displays scheduled programmes for supported channels. Coverage and timing depend on the guide data and the player’s settings. If the schedule appears shifted, check the device time and the app’s guide settings before assuming that the channel itself is incorrect.
Catch-up depends on channel and app support
Catch-up playback lets you watch earlier broadcasts where the service and app support it. The available time window and supported channels can vary. Catch-up is not the same as recording programmes locally. When comparing subscriptions, ask which channels support it and whether it works in your preferred player.