Channels are the core of Tunarr. Each channel acts like a virtual TV station — it has its own programming schedule, stream settings, EPG data, and logo. You can create as many channels as you like, each playing a completely independent lineup. When you connect a media client (Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, Channels DVR, etc.) to Tunarr’s M3U endpoint, every channel you have configured appears as a separate live TV station in that client’s guide.Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/chrisbenincasa/tunarr/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Creating a Channel
To create your first channel, navigate to Channels in the Tunarr sidebar and click the NEW button. You will be taken directly to the Properties page where you can name your channel and optionally assign an icon. Once saved, your channel will appear in the channel list and be immediately accessible via the M3U and XMLTV endpoints.Channel Configuration Tabs
Each channel is configured across six tabs. The sections below give a brief summary of each; click through to the dedicated page for full details.Properties
Set the channel name, number, icon/logo, group tag, and on-demand behavior. These settings control how the channel is identified across the Tunarr UI, M3U playlist, and EPG guide.
Programming
Add movies, TV shows, and other media to your channel’s lineup. Use the bulk add tools to pull entire series or individual episodes from your connected media libraries.
Flex
Assign filler lists to a channel so that gaps in the schedule are automatically filled with short clips — commercials, bumpers, or any other content you have prepared.
EPG
Review how Tunarr generates XMLTV guide data for this channel and learn which endpoint URL to point your media client at to populate the program guide.
Transcoding
Choose a stream mode (HLS, HLS alt, HLS Direct, HLS Direct v2, or MPEG-TS) and assign a transcode configuration profile that controls codec, resolution, bitrate, and hardware acceleration.
Watermarks
Add a logo overlay to your channel’s video output and control its position, fade timing, and total display duration to simulate a classic TV broadcast feel.
Getting Started
Follow these four steps to go from a fresh Tunarr install to a fully working live TV channel in your media client.Create a channel and set its properties
Navigate to Channels → NEW. Give the channel a name and, optionally, a number and icon. Save to create the channel record. See Properties for all available fields.
Add programming to the lineup
Open the Programming tab, click ADD MEDIA, and select content from your connected media libraries. Add entire series, individual seasons, or single episodes. See Programming for details on bulk adding and reordering content.
Configure scheduling and optional flex
Use Scheduling Tools to reorder and time-slot your lineup for a more authentic broadcast feel. If you want filler content (commercials, bumpers) between episodes, configure it on the Flex tab.
Connect a media client
Point your IPTV client at Tunarr’s M3U and XMLTV endpoints (found under Settings → HDHR / M3U) to start watching. See the Clients section for step-by-step guides for Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, and Channels DVR.