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Live TV plays channels as they are broadcast, catch-up replays recent programmes from a channel’s archive for a limited number of days, and video on demand is a separate library of films and series you can start any time, and most IPTV services offer all three.
New IPTV users often mix up these three ways of watching, especially catch-up and VOD. Each has its own place in the app and its own limits. Knowing which is which helps you find what you want quickly and understand why something might not be available.
The Three Side by Side
| Live TV | Catch-up | VOD | |
| What it is | Channels as they air | Past broadcasts from the archive | Films and series library |
| Where in the app | Channel list and guide | Guide, scrolling back in time | Movies and Series sections |
| Time limit | Now | Usually 1 to 7 days | As long as the title stays in the library |
| Controls | Limited pause (timeshift) | Full pause, rewind, skip | Full pause, rewind, skip, resume |
| Availability | All channels | Selected channels | Selected titles |
Live TV
The heart of IPTV: news, sport and entertainment as it happens. Some apps offer timeshift, which lets you pause and rewind live channels within a short buffer.
Catch-Up
Catch-up depends on the provider archiving a channel. In the guide, channels with catch-up show an archive icon, and past programmes become playable. It is ideal for missed matches, news bulletins and weekly shows.
VOD
The library is organised by category, with posters and descriptions. It is independent of the broadcast schedule, so titles do not expire after a few days. Some apps show VOD best with an Xtream Codes login.
Which to Use When
- Big live events: live, for the shared moment.
- Missed last night’s show: catch-up.
- Film night or a series binge: VOD.
- Joined a programme late: start-over from the guide, if the channel supports catch-up.
A Typical Evening Using All Three
You get home at 7 p.m. and the news has already started, so you use start-over on the news channel to watch from the beginning. At 8 p.m. you switch to live TV for a football match. Afterwards, you open the series section in the VOD library for an episode before bed. The next morning, you use catch-up on your phone to see a talk show you missed. Each way of watching fits a different moment.
Why Something Is Missing
- No catch-up on a channel: the provider does not archive it.
- A programme older than the catch-up window: it has expired.
- No VOD section: your login type or app may not support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does catch-up use more data than live?
No, it uses about the same.
Can I record instead of using catch-up?
Some apps support recording; it keeps programmes beyond the catch-up window.
Are VOD titles the same as on streaming services?
Libraries vary by provider; availability differs.
Three Ways to Watch
Live for now, catch-up for recent, VOD for anytime. Knowing the difference makes your app much easier to use. For more terms, see our IPTV glossary, or the IPTVX IPTV plans.
