Catch-up TV and time-shift are two of the most underrated features of IPTV. They let you watch programmes you missed or rewind live TV — eliminating the need to schedule your life around broadcast times. Here's how both features work and how to use them.
What is catch-up TV?
Catch-up TV stores the last 7 days (sometimes up to 30 days) of a channel's broadcasts on the provider's servers. You can go back and watch any programme that aired within that window at any time. It works like a DVR in the cloud — no recording setup required. In your IPTV app (TiviMate, IPTV Smarters), look for a clock icon next to the channel name in the EPG to access catch-up content.
What is time-shift?
Time-shift is different from catch-up: it buffers the current live stream in real time so you can pause and rewind during a live broadcast. Watching a live game and missed a goal? Rewind 2 minutes and watch it again. Time-shift is only available while you're watching a channel live — it doesn't store content after you close the app. Enable it in TiviMate under Settings → Player → Enable Time-Shift.
How to use catch-up in TiviMate
1. Open TiviMate and navigate to the EPG (programme guide).
2. Find a programme that has already aired — it will show a clock/rewind icon if catch-up is available.
3. Press OK/Select on that programme to start playback from the beginning.
4. You can fast-forward, rewind and pause just like a recording. Note: catch-up availability depends on your IPTV provider including it in your subscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is catch-up TV on IPTV?
Catch-up TV lets you watch programmes that aired in the past 7–30 days on demand. It works like a cloud DVR — no recording setup needed.
What is time-shift IPTV?
Time-shift buffers the live stream in real time so you can pause and rewind during a broadcast, similar to pausing live TV on a cable DVR.
Does TiviMate support catch-up?
Yes. TiviMate supports both catch-up TV and time-shift when your IPTV provider includes these features in your subscription.
How far back can I watch with catch-up IPTV?
Catch-up availability varies by provider and channel — typically 7 days, sometimes up to 30 days for premium channels.
Does Dream-TV include catch-up TV?
Yes. Dream-TV includes catch-up TV on supported channels. Check the EPG in your IPTV app for the clock icon indicating catch-up availability.
