Missing or different TVG IDs
Some playlists have no tvg-id. Others use provider-specific IDs that don't correspond with the IDs in the EPG source.
M3U → XMLTV EPG matching
Match your M3U channels to EPG data automatically
Your IPTV streams work, but the programme guide doesn't. Yerman analyses the live channels in your playlist and attempts to find compatible EPG data — even when channel names are messy or TVG IDs are missing.
TXT / M3U uploadM3U URLXtream / Active CodeEPG matchingNow & Next
Why doesn't my M3U playlist match my EPG?
An M3U playlist and an XMLTV EPG are separate datasets. One contains the streams; the other contains programme schedules. The difficult part is identifying which channel in the playlist belongs to which channel in the guide.
Messy IPTV channel names
Country prefixes, provider tags, HD/FHD/UHD labels and punctuation can make the same channel look completely different in two datasets.
Similar names can be different channels
Numbers, languages and variants matter. Matching the closest-looking text without checking identity can attach the wrong schedule.
A typical channel-name problem
Playlist name
|UK| SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT FHD→
EPG channel
Compatible identity
Sky Sports Main EventCompatible identity
How Yerman's M3U to EPG matching works
The beta editor turns EPG matching into part of the playlist workflow rather than expecting you to manually find guide IDs for every live channel.
Import your playlist
Upload a TXT/M3U file, enter a remote M3U URL or use authorised Xtream / Active Code details.
Find the live channels
The editor analyses the playlist so EPG work can focus on linear TV instead of treating movies and series as guide channels.
Look for guide identities
Available identifiers and channel names are compared with EPG channel identities.
Normalise naming noise
Formatting and delivery labels can be handled without assuming every word in a provider's channel name is part of its identity.
Protect important differences
Numbered and named variants need stricter matching so Sports 1 doesn't quietly receive the schedule for Sports 2.
Check actual EPG data
A name match is only useful when programme data exists. The editor can show observed EPG matches and Now & Next information as you work.
Public beta
See how many channels we can match
Load your own playlist into the new Yerman M3U Editor. The beta supports local files, remote M3U URLs and Xtream / Active Code imports.
TVG ID isn't the whole story
A correct TVG ID is an excellent direct link between an M3U channel and an EPG channel. Real-world playlists, however, frequently need more work.
No TVG ID
A playlist entry can contain a perfectly usable stream and channel name while leaving tvg-id="".
The IDs don't agree
The playlist provider and XMLTV source may identify the same channel differently, preventing a direct ID match.
The name becomes useful
Careful name matching provides another route — provided important channel identity isn't removed in the process.
Good EPG matching is also about avoiding bad matches
It is easy to increase a match percentage by accepting anything that looks vaguely similar. That isn't useful if the resulting TV guide belongs to another channel.
Similar does not always mean the same
Requested channel
beIN Sports 2≠
Potentially different channels
beIN Sports 3
beIN Sports 2 English
beIN Sports 2 French
beIN Sports Xtra 2Channel numbers and named or language variants can carry real identity. The matching process therefore needs to balance normalising harmless playlist noise with preserving the details that distinguish one feed from another.
What about huge IPTV playlists?
A playlist can contain tens of thousands of entries spanning live TV, movies, series, backup streams and event channels. The beta editor is designed around large playlist workflows rather than requiring you to clean the file by hand before you can inspect it.
Upload M3U / TXT
Load a playlist file directly from your device and move into the full editor workspace.
Import an M3U URL
Remote playlists can be fetched server-side, avoiding the normal browser CORS restriction.
Xtream / Active Code
Use server, username and password details for a playlist you are authorised to access instead of manually constructing an M3U URL.
M3U to EPG questions
Common reasons IPTV playlists and programme guides fail to line up.
How do I match an M3U playlist to an EPG?
The playlist channels need to be associated with their corresponding XMLTV EPG channels. A matching TVG ID can provide a direct association. When that is unavailable, channel names and other identity information can help locate an appropriate guide channel.
Why does my IPTV playlist say “No Information”?
A working stream doesn't automatically contain a programme schedule. Your IPTV player needs EPG data plus a reliable association between the playlist channel and the correct guide channel.
Can an M3U work without TVG IDs?
Yes. TVG IDs are guide metadata rather than a requirement for the stream URL itself. Their absence can, however, make automatic EPG association more difficult.
Can Yerman find EPG matches when TVG IDs are missing?
The beta editor can use available channel information to look for EPG matches rather than relying exclusively on a supplied TVG ID. Matching remains cautious where channel identities are ambiguous.
Can I use an M3U URL?
Yes. The beta editor can fetch a remote M3U playlist server-side. Private and internal network addresses are blocked.
Can I use Xtream Codes or Active Code?
Yes. For playlists you are authorised to access, the beta editor supports server URL, username and password import.
Does Yerman supply IPTV channels?
No. Yerman provides playlist and EPG tools. You provide the playlist or authorised access details that you want to process.
Try M3U → EPG matching with your playlist
Import the playlist, browse your live channels and see the EPG matches the beta editor can identify.