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You missed the first half of a game, or the evening news came and went while you were cooking. On a regular TV, that program is gone. With catch-up TV on IPTV, it can still be sitting in the guide, ready to play from the start.
How catch-up works
Some IPTV providers record what airs on certain channels and keep it for a few days. When a player shows the program guide (the EPG) for one of those channels, the shows that have already aired stay selectable. You scroll back, pick the one you missed and it plays from the beginning.
The recordings live with your provider. The player's job is to show you which programs are available and to play them. That is why catch-up depends on two things working together: a provider that records the channel, and a player that supports catch-up.
Why only some channels have it
Providers choose which channels to record and how far back to keep them. A news or sports channel might keep several days, while another channel has no catch-up at all. Two subscriptions can differ here even if their channel lists look the same.
The guide matters too. Catch-up is organized by program, so a channel needs guide data for you to see what aired and when. If the guide is empty for a channel, IPTV EPG not working? covers what to check.
Catch-up and timeshift are not the same
Catch-up lets you choose a program that already aired from the guide and watch it from the start.
Timeshift is about the program on now: going back a few minutes within the live broadcast. Some providers offer one, some both, some neither.
Catch-up in Panda Player
In IPTV Panda Player, the TV guide and catch-up share a section on the home screen, next to Live TV, Movies and Series. On channels where your provider keeps recordings, the programs that already aired can be played from the guide.
If you want to see what your own provider offers before paying for anything, every new device gets a 7-day free trial with every feature on. Add your playlist from your phone at pandaplayer.net/upload-playlist, open the guide and scroll back on a channel you watch.
Catch-up questions
Why can I not go back on some channels?
Your provider decides which channels are recorded. If a channel shows no past programs in any app, it does not have catch-up on your subscription.
How far back can I watch?
That depends on your provider and the channel. Some keep a day, some keep several. Scroll back in the guide to see where the available programs stop.
Do I need a special subscription for catch-up?
Ask your provider. Some include it on selected channels in every plan, others do not offer it. The player can only show what the provider records.
Does catch-up use more internet than live TV?
It streams much like a live channel, so if live channels play smoothly on your connection, catch-up should too.
