Quick Answer: TiviMate's search lets you jump to a channel or programme by name instead of scrolling a long list. Open the search interface, type part of the name, and pick from the results. A short, distinctive fragment works better than a full title, and results depend on the names your playlist provider actually uses.
How TiviMate Search Works#
TiviMate is built for remote-controlled TV navigation, and search is one of the features listed on the official TiviMate Google Play page. It looks through the channels and programme information in your configured playlists. Because it searches the names the provider uses, results reflect the provider's naming, not a separate database.
Searching for a Channel#
- Open TiviMate's search interface from the channel list or its own entry.
- Enter part of the channel name. A few distinctive letters are usually enough.
- Review the matching results.
- Select the channel you want to open it.
Typing on a TV remote is slow, so keep the query short. If you cannot type easily, consider a remote with a keyboard or a device that supports voice entry at the system level.
Searching for a Programme#
Search can also help you find a programme by title when you are browsing the guide. This is useful when you know what is on but not which channel carries it. Results depend on the EPG data your provider supplies, so a programme without guide data will not appear, even if the channel exists. See EPG setup if your guide is sparse.
Getting Better Results#
- Use a distinctive fragment. Searching "Sky Sports" beats typing a full, provider-specific title.
- Account for provider naming. A channel may be listed with prefixes, region tags, or abbreviations the provider chose.
- Try alternate spellings. "US" versus "USA", or a country name versus an abbreviation, can change results.
- Fall back to groups. If search misses a channel, browse its category instead. See channel groups.
When Search Finds Nothing#
If a channel you can see in the list does not appear in search, or search returns nothing at all, the cause is usually the playlist data rather than the app:
- The playlist may not carry searchable metadata beyond a bare name.
- Channels may still be loading from the provider.
- The playlist may have refreshed into a partial state.
Compare with another playlist to see whether it is provider-specific. If channels are not loading at all, see channels not loading.
Search vs Favorites#
Search is for finding something once; Favorites is for reaching channels you use often without searching again. If you find yourself searching the same channel repeatedly, add it to Favorites instead. Together, groups, Favorites, and search cover most navigation needs and reduce remote typing.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Does TiviMate search the EPG as well as channels?#
It can surface programme information when the provider supplies guide data, but results depend entirely on that data.
Why do similar channel names return different results?#
Because the provider's naming differs. Search matches the provider's text, so small differences in the listed name change what appears.
Can I search across multiple playlists?#
Search covers your configured playlists; results depend on which playlists are loaded and how they are named.
Searching Efficiently With a Remote#
Typing on a TV is slow, so the goal is to type as few characters as possible. Start with the most distinct part of the name, not the most common word. "Discover" finds Discovery faster than typing "Channel". If you miss, delete a character rather than starting over, and remember that the provider's exact spelling governs the result.
Why Provider Naming Matters#
Search reflects the labels in your playlist. A provider might list a channel with a country prefix, an abbreviation, or a suffix that a plain name would miss. If a search comes up empty for a channel you can see, note the exact on-screen name and search for a distinctive fragment of it instead. The electronic program guide data behind programme search comes from the same source, so its completeness sets the limit.
Combining Search With Other Tools#
- Use groups to narrow before searching.
- Add recurring finds to Favorites so you stop searching for them.
- Fix sparse guide data with EPG setup to improve programme search.
A Quick Workflow#
- Know the channel is in a certain category? Open that group first.
- Know part of the name? Search a short fragment.
- Watch it often? Add it to Favorites.
That sequence covers most navigation with minimal remote typing.
Making Search Worth Using#
Search shines when a playlist is large. On a small lineup, browsing groups is often just as fast. Judge by your own habit: if you find yourself scrolling a long list to reach a channel you know by name, search is the right tool and a short Favorites list will save you even more time.
Improving the Data Behind Search#
- Keep the playlist updated so new channels are searchable.
- Maintain the EPG so programme search works. See EPG setup.
- Name your Favorites consistently if your setup allows labels.
Step-by-Step#
- Open search.
- Type the shortest distinctive fragment.
- Pick from the results.
- Add the channel to Favorites if you will return to it.
Practised a few times, this becomes faster than browsing, especially with a remote that has a keyboard.
Related Guides#
See TiviMate Favorites, Channel Groups, and EPG Setup.