XMLTV is a widely used XML-based format for television listings. It describes channels and programme information that compatible tools can exchange. A player can use an XMLTV file or address as one source for its guide, but matching identifiers and correctly interpreted times remain necessary for the listings to appear where expected.
A practical example
A provider supplies a guide address and a separate playlist address. The player loads the XMLTV data, associates programme records with channel identifiers and places the resulting information into its guide view for those channels on the device.
A common misunderstanding
An XMLTV file does not contain the television video. A working guide address cannot repair a failing media URL, and a correct channel name may still require a matching identifier.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach