Whats going on?

[spotanjo3]

Why is EPG down ? And whats happening to IPTV links as well ? Will they going back ?

[markosjal]

Ditto I see EPG and IPTV have been deactivated due to violation of TOS (unspecified) . Seems strange. I guess we need a new place for this?

[sharkiller]

probably someone uploaded a DMCA stream to the list on got taken down. i use epgs from here, but the iptv list is full of sus links.

[spotanjo3]

Oh boy. I hope someone will fix EPG and bring online back soon.

[boeder8]

probably someone uploaded a DMCA stream to the list on got taken down. i use epgs from here, but the iptv list is full of sus links.

GitHub has a different message for DMCA takedowns, don't think this is it.

[sharkiller]

GitHub has a different message for DMCA takedowns, don't think this is it.

the first message on both repositories was DMCA takedown, then for some reason it was changed.

[boeder8]

GitHub has a different message for DMCA takedowns, don't think this is it.

the first message on both repositories was DMCA takedown, then for some reason it was changed.

Ah I see.

Do you know if GitHub can restore the repo if the owners remove the culprit streams/links?

[markosjal]

Yea but if its an ongoing struggle its not really worth it. I mean if anyone can upload something to it then that's where the problem lies. Especially people in other countries do not care about DMCA.

Probably better to more it to its own domain

[boeder8]

Yea but if its an ongoing struggle its not really worth it. I mean if anyone can upload something to it then that's where the problem lies. Especially people in other countries do not care about DMCA.

Probably better to more it to its own domain

Very true or maybe Gitlab.

Not sure why the EPG repo was taken down though.

[MichaelRPowell]

I am here wondering what is going on as well. I was hoping to see my changes yesterday take effect today. Curious why EPG was removed when it uses public data. Hopefully one of the maintainers can comment soon.

[markosjal]

I think this is a wonderful idea to create such a database and guide and is long overdue. I think there are a few things I must point out though.

First put "TOS" of any stream providers aside as I do not even believe that TOS stated on a stream provider's web page would even hold any water when viewing a stream directly, as you may have never accessed that page at all.

If I am a content provider Like CNN and I do not take measures to protect my stream (in other words have a stream that is encrypted or requires some sort of key or authentication), how can I say that someone viewing said stream directly is doing it in an "illegal" way? After all it is on the Internet and that very stream is linked to from my web page at cnn.com where you can watch it.

If I provide a Legitimate re-stream of a service like YouTube TV might provide ESPN to users for a fee, then the same would also seem to apply as above.

The only streams that should be getting anyone in "trouble" are the gray market streams which yes many times are difficult to distinguish from a legitimate stream but often times there are ways to tell. It may not be easy.

Now just like many people believe Kodi is all about Piracy, here we have a similar kind of issue. To date it is very difficult, or impossible to list a "kodi" device on ebay because they ASSUME (yes because they are asses) that Kodi=Piracy. However, Kodi also can be used for legitimate content like Amazon, Netflix, Paramount Plus ,etc. This "bad reputation" that Kodi has is a result of the fact that it can and has been used for piracy.

I would venture to guess that this kodi ebay example is similar to what has happened here and Github (owned by Microsoft) has taken this action to protect itself from the evils of gray market streams whether justified or not.

It is very sad if this is the case.

[Sphinxroot]

it seem to be something else .. normaly when a dmca claim temporary closed this repo .. fork was still available .. now all fork are closed as well .. only old fork from 3 years + from the old format can be found

[freearhey]

Unfortunately, we don't know any more than you do. Yesterday, after the repositories were blocked, the admins received these two emails:

[GitHub] Repository access disabled for iptv-org/epg

Access to the iptv-org/epg repository has been disabled by GitHub Staff as a result of a private information removal request. You may contact GitHub Support for more information or to appeal this decision: Contact GitHub Support

Read more about GitHub's Private Information Removal Policy here: GitHub's Private Information Removal Policy

[GitHub] Repository access disabled for iptv-org/iptv

Access to the iptv-org/iptv repository has been disabled by GitHub Staff as a result of a private information removal request. You may contact GitHub Support for more information or to appeal this decision: Contact GitHub Support

Read more about GitHub's Private Information Removal Policy here: GitHub's Private Information Removal Policy

@Daniel15 has already sent a request to GitHub for clarification.

We will let you know as soon as we hear back from them.

[Dexer125]

Let's hope this will get resolved. 🖖

[Daniel15]

If I am a content provider Like CNN and I do not take measures to protect my stream (in other words have a stream that is encrypted or requires some sort of key or authentication), how can I say that someone viewing said stream directly is doing it in an "illegal" way?

@markosjal This is exactly the same argument I've used in successful DMCA counter-claims. Below is a copy of the most recent counterclaim I submitted:

No infringing content is stored in this repository. The repository simply contains user-submitted links to publicly available video stream URLs, which to the best of our knowledge have been intentionally made publicly by the copyright holders.

Furthermore, even if the content is in violation of copyright laws, simply linking to the content is not a valid reason to submit a DMCA request. Linking does not directly infringe copyright, because no copy is made on the site providing the link. See Perfect 10, Inc. v. Google, Inc., 508 F.3d 1146, Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 508 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 2007), Flava Works, Inc v. Gunter, 689 F.3d 754 (7th Cir. 2012) and Online Policy Group v. Diebold, Inc., 337 F.Supp.2d 1195, 1202 n.12 (N.D. Cal. 2004) for prior caselaw, and https://ilt.eff.org/Copyright__Infringement_Issues.html#Linking for more information.

If any links to infringing content are found in this repo, they may be removed by sending a pull request or opening an issue.

However, in this case, it doesn't look like a DMCA takedown but instead seems to be something else. I've already created a ticket with Github to get clarification.

[Sphinxroot]

https://docs.github.com/fr/site-policy/content-removal-policies/github-private-information-removal-policy#what-about-forks-or-whats-a-fork

something is weird here

[markosjal]

https://docs.github.com/fr/site-policy/content-removal-policies/github-private-information-removal-policy#what-about-forks-or-whats-a-fork

something is weird here

I found the English version of your link here https://docs.github.com/en/site-policy/content-removal-policies/github-private-information-removal-policy#what-about-forks-or-whats-a-fork What exactly are you saying is 'weird" ? From what I see it is saying that the reason for a DMCA take down request need be very specific. If that is the case then that reason should be passes along to the repo holder. If that is what you refer to please say so if not what other reason?

If I am a content provider Like CNN and I do not take measures to protect my stream (in other words have a stream that is encrypted or requires some sort of key or authentication), how can I say that someone viewing said stream directly is doing it in an "illegal" way?

@markosjal This is exactly the same argument I've used in successful DMCA counter-claims. Below is a copy of the most recent counterclaim I submitted:

No infringing content is stored in this repository. The repository simply contains user-submitted links to publicly available video stream URLs, which to the best of our knowledge have been intentionally made publicly by the copyright holders. Furthermore, even if the content is in violation of copyright laws, simply linking to the content is not a valid reason to submit a DMCA request. Linking does not directly infringe copyright, because no copy is made on the site providing the link. See Perfect 10, Inc. v. Google, Inc., 508 F.3d 1146, Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 508 F.3d 1146 (9th Cir. 2007), Flava Works, Inc v. Gunter, 689 F.3d 754 (7th Cir. 2012) and Online Policy Group v. Diebold, Inc., 337 F.Supp.2d 1195, 1202 n.12 (N.D. Cal. 2004) for prior caselaw, and https://ilt.eff.org/Copyright__Infringement_Issues.html#Linking for more information. If any links to infringing content are found in this repo, they may be removed by sending a pull request or opening an issue.

However, in this case, it doesn't look like a DMCA takedown but instead seems to be something else. I've already created a ticket with Github to get clarification.

Impressive, with citations. Like Sphinxroot (@Sphinxroot) I suspect something "weird" is going on here as Github is very clear in their take down requests and how it must be specific, yet the repo owners seems to have no info.

I think many people are afraid to have this information come to light as it upsets the apple Cart. I have 120 channels of free TV that I have gleaned from these links and that pretty much eliminates the need to me to pay for any TV service. I am a person that has done this for years, but was "all in" when I discovered this resource..

Up until a few months ago I was even able to get great first-run shows that in the USA I would have to pay to watch on Hulu. I was getting them via SBS Viceland (AU). Looks like they cut that one down from International use at least. Several years ago my late girlfriend was months ahead of her friends on the Downton Abby series because she watched it direct from a BBC stream and her fiends had to wait till it appeared on a North American Service because they did not get the stream.

Like it or not this is what at least one person has called "disruptive technology" as it changes the way that people access and use TV, let alone what they pay for and how they pay for it. VoIP was another "disruptive technology" and in the end it forced prices way down in N America at least. Some people what to protect their revenue streams and will go to any length to do that. let us not forget that Microsoft has to keep a well made bed for its "friends" in the content business , and if those content providers even so much as suspect that Microsoft may be involved in some sort of activity that goes against their wishes there could be a shit storm following.

[nickleby]

I hope GitHub clarifies what happened. I can understand if they take down the iptv repository because of a stream link (as many people may not take care to submit only free content), but cannot see the reason to take the EPG repository also.

[Smark223]

I hope GitHub clarifies what happened. I can understand if they take down the iptv repository because of a stream link (as many people may not take care to submit only free content), but cannot see the reason to take the EPG repository also.

And surely if that's the reason, it's easy enough for the offending stream link to be removed.

I really don't understand why the EPG repository would be removed though. Guess we just have to see what Github say but it all seems very odd.

[markosjal]

Keep in mind though that SOME of that Guide data apparently came from sources like TVGuide one source was https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/guides/en/tvguide.com.xml.

I kind of expected the guide data to be taken down before the streams ever were but I do not know how new streams were monitored , if at all.

[Daniel15]

I haven't heard back from GitHub yet. Will update this thread as soon as I hear back from them.

[boeder8]

Keep in mind though that SOME of that Guide data apparently came from sources like TVGuide one source was https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/guides/en/tvguide.com.xml.

I kind of expected the guide data to be taken down before the streams ever were but I do not know how new streams were monitored , if at all.

Hmmm I don't see the issue tbh, it's publicly-available data.

[YesTrustMe]

Why is EPG down ? And whats happening to IPTV links as well ? Will they going back ?

Many Asian TV boxes "lost" most of their live channels in early January and now this happened. The sources for them (including premium subs) were working for many years now. This is some crazy, major shit that's happening now.

[YesTrustMe]

probably someone uploaded a DMCA stream to the list on got taken down. i use epgs from here, but the iptv list is full of sus links.

No. it's more than that. See my other post. All this is part of a major worldwide crackdown.

[YesTrustMe]

Keep in mind though that SOME of that Guide data apparently came from sources like TVGuide one source was https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/guides/en/tvguide.com.xml. I kind of expected the guide data to be taken down before the streams ever were but I do not know how new streams were monitored , if at all.

Hmmm I don't see the issue tbh, it's publicly-available data.

Curious...why is EPG so important? Personally, I just save the channels and know what's on . Any movies etc. I just watch directly via VOD sources eg. Kodi. For me, IPTV is watching live programming (without any local geo-locked content).

[boeder8]

Keep in mind though that SOME of that Guide data apparently came from sources like TVGuide one source was https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/guides/en/tvguide.com.xml. I kind of expected the guide data to be taken down before the streams ever were but I do not know how new streams were monitored , if at all.

Hmmm I don't see the issue tbh, it's publicly-available data.

Curious...why is EPG so important? Personally, I just save the channels and know what's on . Any movies etc. I just watch directly via VOD sources eg. Kodi. For me, IPTV is watching live programming (without any local geo-locked content).

Good for you mate 👍🏼

[YesTrustMe]

https://docs.github.com/fr/site-policy/content-removal-policies/github-private-information-removal-policy#what-about-forks-or-whats-a-fork

something is weird here

Github got "scared" and intimidated from the IPTV police, likely with no jurisdiction over GitHub who cracked down last month on several major IPTV outsources.

If Github makes any effort and consults with their lawyers, competent lawyers then they'll come to the rightful and legal conclusion the IPTV repos should be reinstated.

[markosjal]

Keep in mind though that SOME of that Guide data apparently came from sources like TVGuide one source was https://iptv-org.github.io/epg/guides/en/tvguide.com.xml. I kind of expected the guide data to be taken down before the streams ever were but I do not know how new streams were monitored , if at all.

Hmmm I don't see the issue tbh, it's publicly-available data.

That is because TVGuide data that comes from the TV Guide site (and many others) include TOS with say it is for personal use and not for re-distribution.

[Daniel15]

For an EPG, I'm using zap2it-GuideScraping to scrape zap2it, which seems to work well. I've only tried it for local antenna channels though - I use it along with a HDHomeRun to get my local TV channels in TiviMate.

[Daniel15]

I was getting them via SBS Viceland (AU).

SBS Viceland is a free-to-air antenna channel in Australia. All channels that are available via antenna in Australia also have a free internet stream, although in the past few years they've been geoblocking the streams such that they only work in Australia. You could use a proxy or VPN that's based in Australia to watch free-to-air Australian channels. I'm an Aussie living in the USA and use the official Australian ABC iView app using a VPN :)

[boeder8]

For an EPG, I'm using zap2it-GuideScraping to scrape zap2it, which seems to work well. I've only tried it for local antenna channels though - I use it along with a HDHomeRun to get my local TV channels in TiviMate.

Thanks Daniel.

I used the GitHub guides for a quite a few channels from across the world. I mapped my entire Tivimate on the multiple guides, hopefully we can have them back either here or somewhere more sustainable in the long-run

[markosjal]

I was getting them via SBS Viceland (AU).

SBS Viceland is a free-to-air antenna channel in Australia. All channels that are available via antenna in Australia also have a free internet stream, although in the past few years they've been geoblocking the streams such that they only work in Australia. You could use a proxy or VPN that's based in Australia to watch free-to-air Australian channels. I'm an Aussie living in the USA and use the official Australian ABC iView app using a VPN :)

Yea I am aware of that but the thought of paying for a VPN every month for a couple of channels is not worth it, and would be complex to make it work automatically. Some of the shows they have there are only on Hulu in USA like "The Orville" and a couple of others. There were some great show I got on some Australian streams like "the First Australians". Great content.

I see you are active on the github xteve threads. I think that is the easier way to go spend a few buck on an Ausssie VPS and just run Xteve on it.

[markosjal]

For an EPG, I'm using zap2it-GuideScraping to scrape zap2it, which seems to work well. I've only tried it for local antenna channels though - I use it along with a HDHomeRun to get my local TV channels in TiviMate.

I do the same on my Raspberry pi for My old model HDHomerun on NextPVR . The problem with this is when you have east coast , west coast and different cities it is complicated

[YesTrustMe]

I was getting them via SBS Viceland (AU).

SBS Viceland is a free-to-air antenna channel in Australia. All channels that are available via antenna in Australia also have a free internet stream, although in the past few years they've been geoblocking the streams such that they only work in Australia. You could use a proxy or VPN that's based in Australia to watch free-to-air Australian channels. I'm an Aussie living in the USA and use the official Australian ABC iView app using a VPN :)

Do you have a link?

[YesTrustMe]

Yea I am aware of that but the thought of paying for a VPN every month for a couple of channels is not worth it, and would be complex to make it work automatically. Some of the shows they have there are only on Hulu in USA like "The Orville" and a couple of others. There were some great show I got on some Australian streams like "the First Australians". Great content.

I see you are active on the github xteve threads. I think that is the easier way to go spend a few buck on an Ausssie VPS and just run Xteve on it.

There are many, I mean many free VPNs out there. Some are freemium others are complete free with limitations. Windscsribe is very good but limited to which countries. Unfortunately, Australia isn't on their free list. VPN Unlimited aka Keepsolid often has free or nearly free lifetime plans. Just recently NordVPN had their two year VPN free through Rukuten.

Additionally, most reputable VPNS offer a 7 week or 30 day money back guarantee.

[YesTrustMe]

A m3u link from yesterday which was a mirror for the iptv github link no longer works. Perhaps others might have some luck: https://matthewgall.codes/mirrors/iptv

[markosjal]

A m3u link from yesterday which was a mirror for the iptv github link no longer works. Perhaps others might have some luck: https://matthewgall.codes/mirrors/iptv

Looks to me like all those links point back to original (disabled) repo

[Sphinxroot]

temporary merged until it go back no epg

https://github.com/Sphinxroot/TV/blob/main/merged.m3u

[Rferreira2k]

I found a free alternative EPG for some countries: https://epg.pw/

It's not complete, but it helps while they don't solve the repositories problem

[bluzee]

I would suspect it has more to do with the EPG data.

[YesTrustMe]

I found a free alternative EPG for some countries: https://epg.pw/

It's not complete, but it helps while they don't solve the repositories problem

I can't get the page to load, it's absurdly slow.

Nice find though, if someone has a workaround.

[Daniel15]

Still no reply from GitHub yet.

For EPG, try https://guidexl.tv4.live/ or https://guide.tvnow.best/, or build your own playlist and EPG using https://m3u4u.com/.

[0zd3m1r]

Still no reply from GitHub yet.

For EPG, try https://guidexl.tv4.live/ or https://guide.tvnow.best/, or build your own playlist and EPG using https://m3u4u.com/.

https://github.com/Apollo2000/TVGuide/

[Rferreira2k]

I can't get the page to load, it's absurdly slow.

Nice find though, if someone has a workaround.

Try the direct link to the xml: https://epg.pw/xmltv.html?lang=en

Works fine for me (Brazil). Try using a vpn to get the link

[nickleby]

I would suspect it has more to do with the EPG data.

I'm beginning to think that too, for example a specific provider suddenly started to block now the access to their website from other locations (only works good if you're in the country where they provide service) and this started to happen almost at the same time the GitHub repo was disabled.... Coincidence? Maybe, I don't know, only GitHub can solve the mistery, I hope they answer fast.

[ExperiencersInternational]

Yeah, I only noticed it when I went to browse the other day, and now my entire IPTV list (which hasn't been taken down because it wasn't a fork, and wasn't big enough + focused on a specific country) has no EPG which sucks. Either way, having my list not being taken down is better than having it taken down.

It seems to be happening to other repositories as well which sucks.

If anyone has some alternatives for UK EPG links, please tag me, since I'd like them.

[ExperiencersInternational]

I found a free alternative EPG for some countries: https://epg.pw/ It's not complete, but it helps while they don't solve the repositories problem

I can't get the page to load, it's absurdly slow.

Nice find though, if someone has a workaround.

Plus, it's a HTML page which is useless for M3U lists, e.g.: https://epg.pw/areas/gb/epg.html?lang=en. Nvm, that was before I saw https://epg.pw/xmltv/epg_GB.xml.

---

I probably need to make a backup of my IPTV list thing and upload it to the crappy free hosting provider that I haven't done anything at all with.

It's still so annoying that they've taken it down, since I have real trouble picking channels up with my bedroom aerial, and all Freeview Play currently shows for me are BBC channels which I have no interest in.

[ExperiencersInternational]

I found a free alternative EPG for some countries: https://epg.pw/ It's not complete, but it helps while they don't solve the repositories problem

I can't get the page to load, it's absurdly slow. Nice find though, if someone has a workaround.

Plus, it's a HTML page which is useless for M3U lists, e.g.: https://epg.pw/areas/gb/epg.html?lang=en. Nvm, that was before I saw https://epg.pw/xmltv/epg_GB.xml.

I probably need to make a backup of my IPTV list thing and upload it to the crappy free hosting provider that I haven't done anything at all with.

It's still so annoying that they've taken it down, since I have real trouble picking channels up with my bedroom aerial, and all Freeview Play currently shows for me are BBC channels which I have no interest in.

Yeah no, do not use epg.pw, just tried now and it's about a solid 3 hours ahead. Nvm, 21 hours behind, plus no information or images in the EPG.

[Rferreira2k]

Yeah no, do not use epg.pw, just tried now and it's about a solid 3 hours ahead. Nvm, 21 hours behind, plus no information or images in the EPG.

Well, 3 hours it's better than nothing, but if you find any more complete EPG, please share with us. ;)

[x4tur4ng4]

This is the little world billionaires want! They want an internet populated by robots that only say yes. The lack of interest of governments across the planet, regarding the unfair dominance that some billionaires have been exercising on the internet, mainly hollywood billionaires, almost always with the same excuse as the DMCA. Clearly, the DMCA is a legitimate protection, but what these people have been doing in recent years is blaming the window for the landscape. Such a project should never be hosted on sites owned by these billionaires. In fact, the more people try to organize their lives away from piracy, the more they realize that piracy is the only way to curb the greed of these billionaires. Take this case here, maybe 98% of the links led to open and free streams, that was enough to piss off the owners of the paid streams. Their logic is: If we can't win what's free, then let's use our beloved DMCA to destroy what's free. The total lack of interest from governments across the planet has left millions of people in the hands of a dozen crooked billionaires.

[YesTrustMe]

I can't get the page to load, it's absurdly slow. Nice find though, if someone has a workaround.

Try the direct link to the xml: https://epg.pw/xmltv.html?lang=en

Works fine for me (Brazil). Try using a vpn to get the link

With or without VPN, it makes no difference. There's over 1GB of crap loading in the background. The webpage is poorly built.

I'm going to take a break, let the dust settle. If I get desperate, I have several premium IPTV services to choose from that have free trials and I can buy for a month at a time. Free IPTV with major US TV stations was great while it lasted.