--- title: "What Is an EPG? Electronic Program Guide Explained" description: "An EPG is the on-screen schedule that shows what is on each channel now and next. See what data it needs and what viewers expect from one." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/epg" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/epg.md" category: "Live & linear" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is an EPG? An EPG (electronic program guide) is the on-screen schedule for linear channels. It shows what is playing now and what is coming up on each channel, usually as a grid of channels against time, and lets the viewer tune to a program from it. ## What an EPG shows - Channels, as rows - Programs, as blocks along a timeline, with title, start and end time - Details for each program: synopsis, episode, rating, artwork - A marker for the current time - Actions: watch now, start from the beginning, set a reminder, record ## Where the data comes from The guide is only as good as its schedule data. For a channel you program yourself, the schedule comes from your playout system. For third-party channels it arrives as a feed from the broadcaster or a guide-data supplier, commonly in an XML format such as XMLTV. The data must match what is on air. A guide that says one thing while the channel shows another is worse than no guide. ## EPG features tied to the stream When the guide is linked to recordings of the stream, it becomes a way to navigate time: restart a program already in progress, scroll back to watch something from earlier in the day, or record a future program. These depend on the rights you hold as well as on the technology. ## On different screens The full grid suits a television and a remote control. On a phone, a simpler now-and-next list per channel works better. Channels distributed through third-party services must also supply their guide data in the format each service requires. ## EPG on RentAnOTT Live channels are included on the RentAnOTT Growth and Scale tiers and are a $119/month add-on on Launch. Ask us on a demo how program schedules are presented in your apps. [See features](https://www.rentanott.com/features). ## Related terms - [Linear channel](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/linear-channel) — A linear channel is a continuous stream of programs played in a fixed schedule, like a traditional television channel. Viewers join whatever is on at that moment rather than choosing a title to start. - [Playout](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/playout) — Playout is the process, and the system, that turns a schedule into a continuous channel. It plays each program, live feed, promotion and ad break in order, around the clock, and outputs a single stream ready for delivery. - [Catch-up TV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/catch-up-tv) — Catch-up TV is a service that makes programs available on demand for a limited period after they were shown on a linear channel, commonly 7 to 30 days. It lets viewers watch what they missed without recording it. - [IPTV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/iptv) — IPTV (internet protocol television) is the delivery of television channels and on-demand video using internet protocol. In its original sense it runs over a telecom operator's own managed network to a set-top box, rather than over the open internet. - [FAST channel](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/fast-channel) — A FAST channel (free ad-supported streaming television) is a linear channel delivered over the internet that viewers watch for free, with advertising in scheduled breaks. It looks and behaves like a television channel but needs no subscription or aerial. - [Content metadata](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/content-metadata) — Content metadata is the information that describes a video title and governs how it is presented and used: its title, synopsis, cast, genre, rating, artwork, languages, rights and technical details. It is what makes a file into a catalog entry. ## Further reading - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing) - [IP boxes and IPTV explained](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/ip-box-iptv) - [Choosing a live streaming player](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/live-streaming-player) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does EPG stand for? EPG stands for electronic program guide. ### Does a single channel need an EPG? A full grid is unnecessary, but showing what is on now and next still helps viewers decide to stay. ### How far ahead should the guide go? Seven days is the common standard for television services. A day or two is enough for many streaming channels. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt