A clear definition of an EPG (electronic program guide): what it is, how it works in FAST and live streaming, and why every linear channel needs one.
What Is an EPG? Electronic Program Guide Explained
By Sampath Mallidi, CEO of Revidd · Last updated June 2026
If you are launching a FAST or live channel, you will need an EPG. Here is exactly what it is and why it is not optional.
An EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is the on-screen guide that shows what is playing now and what is coming up next on a TV or streaming channel, laid out as a grid of programs against time. It is the same channel guide concept used in cable TV, applied to FAST channels and live streaming, and it is how viewers and platforms know a channel's schedule. The electronic program guide concept dates back to cable navigation menus and is now the standard way connected TV platforms list linear channels.
How Does an EPG Work?
An EPG works by publishing a channel's schedule as structured data, what program airs, when it starts, and how long it runs, which is then displayed as a navigable grid. Viewers scroll the guide to see current and upcoming programs; connected TV platforms use the same data to populate their channel listings.
For a FAST channel, the EPG is generated from the program schedule the operator builds in a playout system. Each scheduled program produces a guide entry with its title, time, and duration, and a current-time indicator shows what is airing live right now.
Most platforms publish EPG data in a standard format such as XMLTV so connected TV services can read it without a custom integration. A typical EPG feed has two parts: the list of channels, and the list of programs scheduled against each channel with start times and durations.
EPG element | What it carries | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Channel listing | Channel ID, name, logo | Lets a platform list and brand the channel |
Program entry | Title, start time, duration | Populates the now/next grid viewers scroll |
Current-time indicator | Live playhead position | Shows what is airing right now |
Metadata | Genre, description, rating | Powers search and discovery on the platform |
Why Does a Streaming Channel Need an EPG?
A streaming channel needs an EPG because linear viewing depends on viewers knowing what is on and what is next, and because connected TV platforms require schedule data to list the channel. Without an EPG, a linear channel is just an unlabeled stream with no way for viewers to orient themselves.
The EPG also improves discovery and watch time: viewers who can see an appealing program coming up are more likely to keep the channel on. For platforms like Roku and Samsung TV Plus, accurate EPG data is part of what they need to carry and display a channel properly. See how the EPG fits into building a channel in our guide to how to launch a FAST channel.
How Is an EPG Created for a FAST Channel?
An EPG is created automatically from the channel's program schedule in a playout or channel management system. The operator schedules content, and the system generates the corresponding guide data, no separate manual guide-building required on a good platform.
Revidd generates an EPG directly from the drag-and-drop Program Manager: as you schedule programs, playlists, and live streams, the guide is produced and displayed with a current-time indicator and upcoming programs, ready for the storefront and connected TV listings.
Build a Channel With a Proper EPG
If you want a FAST or live channel with a real, automatically generated program guide, book a demo and we will show how scheduling and the EPG work together in Revidd's playout.
FAQ
What does EPG stand for?
EPG stands for Electronic Program Guide. It is the on-screen guide showing what is currently airing and what is scheduled next on a TV or streaming channel.
What is an EPG used for?
It shows viewers a channel's schedule as a grid of programs against time, helps them find what to watch, and provides the schedule data connected TV platforms use to list the channel.
How is an EPG generated for a FAST channel?
It is generated automatically from the channel's program schedule. As the operator schedules content in a playout system, the system produces the corresponding guide entries with titles, times, and durations.
Do FAST channels need an EPG?
Yes. Linear viewing depends on viewers knowing what is on and next, and connected TV platforms require schedule data to carry and display a channel. A FAST channel without an EPG is an unlabeled stream.
What is the difference between an EPG and a playlist?
A playlist is a list of content to play. An EPG is the published, time-based guide of what airs when, shown to viewers and platforms. The EPG is generated from the scheduled playout, not just a raw list.
