Catch-up TV Explained: Watch Past Programmes on Your Schedule

Life does not run to a broadcast schedule. Dinner runs long, a phone call comes in, the children need a bath. Catch-up is the Rock Player feature that forgives all of that: it lets you go back in time and watch programmes that have already aired.

This guide explains what catch-up is, how to find it, and how it fits with recordings and reminders.

What catch-up means

In live TV, a programme plays at a fixed time. Once it ends, it is gone from the live stream. Catch-up keeps past programmes available to play, so you can start them from the beginning after they have aired.

In Rock Player, catch-up works through the channels in your service. Where catch-up is available for a channel, past programmes for that channel can be played back. Availability and how far back you can go depend on the channel and your service, so not every channel will offer it.

Finding past programmes

The most natural place to find catch-up is the TV Guide.

1. Open the TV Guide.
2. Move to the channel you are interested in.
3. Press left on your remote to move back in time, past the current programme.
4. Highlight a programme that has already finished.
5. Press select to play it, if catch-up is available for that programme.

On phones and tablets, swipe left within the guide to move back through time and tap the programme you want.

Catch-up versus recordings

Rock Player offers both, and they serve slightly different purposes.

Catch-up

• Works after the fact. You do not need to plan.
• Depends on what is available for each channel.

Recordings

• Works ahead of time. You choose what to keep before it airs.
• Ideal when you already know you will miss something.

A sensible approach is to use Recordings for the programmes you never want to miss, and rely on Catch-up for the things you only decide you want afterwards.

Catch-up and reminders

Reminders are the third piece of the puzzle. If you set a reminder for a programme and then cannot watch when it starts, catch-up may let you pick it up later. Reminders keep you aware; catch-up gives you flexibility.

Smooth playback tips

Playing a past programme is like any other stream - it benefits from a steady connection.

• Use ethernet for TVs where possible. A cable is usually steadier than Wi-Fi for a big-screen device.
• Keep the router nearby. If you are on Wi-Fi, a clear line between your router and your TV helps.
• Pause other heavy downloads. Large downloads on other devices share the same connection.

Continue watching

If you start a past programme and need to stop, check Continue watching. Rock Player keeps track of what you have been watching in your history, which makes it easier to get back to things you started.

Profiles keep things tidy

When several people share the app, give each one their own profile. That way, each person's history, favourites and list stay separate, and nobody has to scroll past someone else's viewing to find their own.

When catch-up is not available

If a programme cannot be played back:

1. Check the channel. Not every channel offers catch-up.
2. Check the time. Each channel has its own catch-up window, and older programmes may have moved out of it.
3. Check your connection. Past programmes, like live ones, need the internet to play.

If you are unsure, message us through the WhatsApp chat on our website.

A catch-up routine that works

Catch-up is most useful when it becomes a habit rather than an afterthought. A few ideas:

1. Start the evening in the TV Guide. Before you settle on something live, glance back over the last few hours on your Favourites channels. Something you missed earlier may be exactly what you are in the mood for.
2. Use catch-up for the start of a programme. If you sit down ten minutes late, check whether you can start the programme from the beginning rather than joining part-way through.
3. Pair it with reminders. Set a reminder for the programmes you care most about. If you miss the reminder, catch-up may still have you covered.
4. Save the rest for recordings. For anything you never want to miss, set a recording in advance so you are not relying on catch-up availability.

A calmer way to watch

Catch-up turns your TV Guide into something more than a timetable. Instead of planning your evening around a schedule, you can watch when it suits you - a small change that makes a big difference.

Get started

Catch-up is part of every Rock Player plan. Download the app from /get and choose your plan at /#pricing to start streaming solid like a rock.