# IPTV catch-up explained

URL: https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-catch-up-guide/

> What IPTV catch-up (timeshift) is, how to use it in TiviMate and other players, which channels have it, and why it sometimes does not work.

**Catch-up** (sometimes called timeshift or archive) lets you go back in the [TV guide](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/epg-tv-guide-explained/) and play a programme that already aired. It depends on two things: the channel being archived on the server, and your player supporting it.

## How to spot catch-up channels

Players mark them with an icon (a clock or rewind symbol) in the channel list or guide. Not every channel has catch-up, and archive length varies.

## Using it

Player | How | 
[TiviMate](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/tivimate-iptv-setup/) (Premium) | Scroll back in the guide, select a past programme | 
[IPTV Smarters](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-smarters-pro-guide/) | Catch Up section, choose channel and date | 
[OTT Navigator](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/ott-navigator-setup/) | Guide, past programme | 
MAG / Formuler | Archive icon in the guide | 

## Why it might not work

- The channel has no archive.
- The guide time is off, so the player requests the wrong slot.
- Your player does not support the provider's catch-up format.

Catch-up availability depends on channel and region; ask Viking IPTV support which channels you want it for.

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## Questions and answers

**What is IPTV catch-up?**

Playing programmes that already aired, from the guide.

**Does every channel have catch-up?**

No, only archived channels, marked in the guide.

**Which apps support catch-up?**

TiviMate Premium, IPTV Smarters, OTT Navigator and MAG/Formuler players, among others.

## More iptv explained guides

- [IPTV explained](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-explained/)
- [How IPTV works, from studio to screen](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/how-iptv-works-explained/)
- [M3U playlist explained](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/m3u-playlist-explained/)
- [Xtream Codes login explained](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/xtream-codes-login-explained/)
- [EPG: the IPTV TV guide explained](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/epg-tv-guide-explained/)

[All IPTV Explained guides](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-guides/explained/) · [Every IPTV guide](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/iptv-guides/)

## Sources and official links

- [TiviMate (official site)](https://tivimate.com/)
- [TiviMate on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ar.tvplayer.tv)
- [XMLTV guide format (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLTV)

**Viking IPTV Editorial Team**

We open every provider site on our list, record what it offers and re-check the whole list regularly. [Our methodology and disclosure](https://blog.vikingiptvofficial.com/about/).