If the TV guide shows the right programmes at the wrong times, the problem is almost always the time zone — either on the device or in the player app.
Why time-zone settings break the guide
Guide data is sent with timestamps. Your app converts them to local time using your device clock and any offset you've set. If either is wrong, every programme shifts.
Diagnose it
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Exactly 1 hour out | GMT/BST change or wrong offset |
| Several hours out | Device set to another time zone |
| Only some channels wrong | Those channels' guide data uses a different zone |
| Guide empty | Not a time-zone problem — see EPG guide |
Check the system clock first
- Fire TV: Settings → Preferences → Time Zone → Europe/London.
- Android TV / Google TV: Settings → System → Date & time → Automatic, time zone London.
- Apple TV: Settings → General → Time Zone → automatic.
- Smart TVs: Settings → General → Time → Auto clock and correct time zone.
Where to change it in each player
Smarters-style players
Settings → Time format / EPG time shift. Set to 0 if your device is correct; otherwise adjust by ±1 hour.
TiviMate
Settings → EPG → EPG time shift (per source) and Settings → General → Time zone.
Smart TV and box apps
Look for EPG offset or Time shift in the app settings, or in the portal settings on MAG boxes.
Common offsets
| Situation | Offset |
|---|---|
| Device on UK time, guide correct | 0 |
| Guide 1 hour behind in summer | +1 |
| Guide 1 hour ahead in winter | −1 |
| Watching abroad, want local time | Set device to local zone, offset 0 |
When it's not the time zone
If times are right but programmes are wrong, the channel may be matched to the wrong guide data — report it to support.
After you change it
Refresh the EPG so the app redraws the guide. Check a channel whose schedule you know, such as the evening news.
Getting the guide right
Correct device time zone, offset of zero, refresh — that fixes nearly every case. See also catch-up.
