Catch-up (sometimes called archive or timeshift) plays programmes that already finished. It is genuinely useful and widely misunderstood, because most of it depends on your provider rather than the app.
What has to be true
Catch-up only works when the provider stores the broadcast and exposes it, and when the guide data marks which programmes are available. TiviMate cannot create an archive on its own — if the service does not keep recordings, no setting will produce them.
Turning it on
Open Settings → Playlists → (your playlist) and confirm catch-up is enabled. In the guide, past programmes that are available appear selectable rather than greyed out. Choose one and press play.
Why it is greyed out
- The channel has no archive. Coverage is usually partial, not universal.
- The window expired. Archives are commonly a few days, not indefinite.
- The EPG is wrong. If the guide does not know a programme aired, catch-up cannot offer it — see EPG troubleshooting.
- Clock mismatch. A wrong device time misaligns the archive window.
Catch-up versus recording
Catch-up is served from the provider and disappears when the window closes. A recording is stored on your own device and stays until you delete it. If you want to keep something, record it — see the recording guide.
Choosing a service that supports it
Archive depth varies enormously and is rarely advertised honestly. It is worth asking before you commit rather than discovering the limit later. Our TiviMate Premium subscription is documented on what it actually provides, and you can ask us directly before subscribing.
Useful resources
- Catch-up TV explained — neutral background.
- TiviMate official site — feature documentation.