Short answer: an IPTV login usually comes in one of two forms. An Xtream Codes API login is a server URL plus a username and password, and the player app fetches channels, films, series and the TV guide as separate JSON lists. An M3U playlist is one text file (or one URL) listing every stream, with the TV guide added separately as an XMLTV link. For most viewers in the UK, Xtream Codes is the easier choice because categories, catch-up and the guide load on their own.

This guide explains what each format contains, which UK devices and player apps accept which, and how to fix the usual setup problems. It is written by Televo IPTV, a UK IPTV provider, so the last section lists our plans; everything above it applies to any provider.

What is an M3U playlist?

M3U is a plain-text playlist format.…