User Guides

Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

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What is an EPG and How is it Used?

An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is a structured listing of scheduled content that allows viewers to browse and access program details such as titles, genres, descriptions, and scheduling information. It is commonly used in streaming platforms and broadcast television to provide users with an interactive guide of available programming.

EPGs serve as a navigational tool for viewers, helping them find and schedule content across different platforms. They enhance the user experience by providing metadata about programs, such as:

  • Program Title
  • Genre
  • Production Year
  • Short and Long Descriptions
  • Start and End Times

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Each platform has unique specifications for EPG integration. Currently, our system only supports EPG for DCT as a receiving platform. If you are interested in using an EPG for other platforms, please contact our support team to discuss potential solutions.


Setting Up Program Data for EPG

To use EPG functionality, assets must have relevant program data assigned to them. Follow these steps to set up program data for an asset:

  1. Navigate to an Asset: Go to the asset page in your dashboard.
  2. Click on the ‘Program Data’ Tab: This tab allows you to enter metadata required for EPG.
  3. Add the Platform: Click the + Platform button and select the relevant platform.
  4. Fill in the Program Data Fields: Once a platform is selected, additional fields will appear. Complete these fields to ensure the asset has all necessary metadata for EPG integration.

Program Data Fields Explained

If DCT is selected as the platform, the following fields will become available:

  • Program Title: The name of the program being scheduled.
  • Genre: The category or type of content (e.g., drama, sports, news, etc.).
  • Production Year: The year in which the program was produced.
  • Short Description: A brief summary of the program.
  • Long Description: A more detailed description of the program, providing additional context and information.

Metadata vs. Program Data

What is the difference between Metadata and Program Data? On our platform, these serve different purposes:

  • Metadata Tab: This section is designed to be flexible, allowing users to define key/value pairs without restrictions. You can store any kind of custom information here based on your specific needs.
  • Program Data Tab: Because downstream platforms enforce strict rules about EPG data, this section is structured with predefined fields. This ensures that the required information is formatted correctly and meets industry standards.

While the Metadata Tab is great for storing general or custom information, the Program Data Tab is purpose-built to ensure compliance with EPG requirements for platforms like DCT.


Enabling EPG on a Channel

EPG is only available on channels withScheduling enabled. To enable EPG on a channel, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the Channel: Click on the relevant channel.
  2. Click the ‘EPG’ Tab: This section contains all options related to EPG.
  3. Click the ‘+ EPG’ Dropdown: Select the relevant platform.
  4. Fill in the Required Fields: Once you choose a platform, new fields will open up, allowing you to:
    • Set the Channel Name.
    • Access the URL to the hosted EPG file.

This URL should be provided to the downstream platform so that they can fetch the EPG file regularly.

Once an EPG is enabled on a channel, it will be updated every 12 hours.



Need Help?

If you require assistance or wish to enable EPG for additional platforms, please reach out to our support team for further guidance.

Updated about 2 months ago